Interlock arrangement for controlling the neutral output of a portable generator

摘要

An interlock arrangement allows a floating neutral electrical generator having a receptacle, such as a duplex receptacle, absent GFCI protection to be used to provide electrical power to the electrical system of a home or other building during utility power interruption. The interlock arrangement includes structure to disable or prevent access to the duplex receptacle when the electrical generator is coupled to the power cord used to transfer electrical power from the generator to the electrical system of the building. Thus, the duplex receptacles cannot be used to power electrical devices when the generator is connected to supply power to the electrical system of the building. Conversely, when the generator is physically disconnected from the electrical system of the building, the interlock arrangement exposes or supplies power to the duplex receptacles, and may be configured to close access to the receptacle used for connecting to a building electrical system.

主权项

1. An electrical generator with an alternator configured to supply power to an electrical load via at least one hot lead, a neutral lead and a ground lead, wherein a frame of the electrical generator is isolated from an earth ground, the electrical generator comprising:
a first receptacle electrically connected to at least one of the hot leads, the neutral lead, and the ground lead, wherein: the neutral lead and the ground lead are not electrically connected on the electrical generator, the first receptacle does not include a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), the first receptacle is adapted to interface with a first power cord designed to be interconnected with an electrical system of a building, and the neutral lead and the ground lead are bonded at a panel within the building and power is supplied to the electrical load via the first power cord and the electrical system of the building; a second receptacle having no GFCI protection and electrically connected to at least one of the hot leads, the neutral lead, and the ground lead, wherein the neutral lead is isolated from the ground lead and wherein the second electrical receptacle is adapted to interface with a second power cord connected directly to the electrical load; and a lockout arrangement that prevents simultaneous supply of power from both the first receptacle and the second receptacle.