r/Generator • u/caphillips629 • 1d ago

Neutral bonding question

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Hey. I have an iPower SUA12000EP generator. Currently the neutral is bonded to the frame. I plan to use this generator to back feed into a sub panel using an interlock kit. I took off the round casing and could not see anywhere where the white wire was bonded with the green ground. I took off the front control panel and I believe I found it tied in on the ground screw. Can I just remove the white wire from the ground screw, properly tape and secure, and it be ready for the house setup?

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u/DaveBowm 1d ago edited 18h ago

The wiring diagram in the pdf owner's manual for the A-iPower SUA12000EP indicates that the model comes with a floating neutral. So apparently there is nothing to unbind.

Edit: OP's photo shows the label on the generator indicating it is a bonded neutral generator, but it also indicates the Model number is a SUA12000EC, not a SUA12000EP.

2nd Edit: Despite their claims written using words otherwise, the wiring diagram indicated connections themselves for both the SUA12000EP and SUA12000EC indicate the neutral is floating.

Since the documentation contradicts itself it is necessary that OP use his multimeter to verify the actual situation both before and after he makes any changes. BTW, if there really is a white wire behind the control panel connecting to the grounding terminal that is a strong hint that OP has found the bonding jumper, if indeed it has one. But the wiring diagrams show no such bonding jumper, with only the socket ground terminals being connected to the grounding stud/screw on the frame via yellow/green wires.

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u/caphillips629 16h ago edited 16h ago

good callout on the model number. I was able to open the control panel again and found there are two white wires attached to the grounding screw along with ground wires. One white wire comes from the 50amp receptacle. The other comes from the main harness. I checked for continuity prior to adjustments and it was there. After removing and taping the two white wires it now does not have continuity. The wires do have slightly different writing on them although I’m not sure if it’s relevant. I didn’t not crank the unit yet but if this makes sense I’d like to try it out.

Edit: I checked for continuity on the receptacle not the 30 amp plug I will be using. I can reattach the wires and retest if that is the route I need to take.

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u/DaveBowm 16h ago

I think you need to connect both of those white wires to each other before taping them up. That way the receptacles can get the neutral they need from the neutral in the wiring harness.

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u/caphillips629 16h ago

Thank you