Portable generator grounding

[Needaclue]

I bought a portable generator a few months back. The manual says it should be grounded while running. Others with years of experience with these contraptions say don't worry about it. What's your vote?

[HayZee518]

Since your regular electrical service is "earth" grounded either through a water pipe, well casing or driven ground rod and the generator 's earth ground [green wire] on the outlet is fastened to the chassis metal, it wouldn't hurt to drive a short ground rod and electrically bond a ground wire no smaller than #8 to the driven ground and generator chassis.
if there are any voltage spikes, not having a regulator circuit, the spikes will be effectively conducted to earth ground.

[Needaclue]

Yup. Better safe than sorry. Did similar at a recent school event where it was isolated out in a field. At the last minute I grabbed a two foot length of rebar, a big hammer and a set of jumper cables. Drove the rebar in the ground 3/4s then connected the cables to the units ground stud and the rebar. Not ideal but better than nothing. Can I assume the manual tells you to ground it to prevent further damage or injury in the event of a short to ground or possibly to discharge any static buildup or as you say spikes.