I recall in one of the older generator threads a discussion on backfeeding your main with a portable. I learned something recently that could be obvious to some but was new to me. As many of you know, there is a bond between neutral and ground in your home electrical system. This is typically at your main panel. If you open the main breaker when you backfeed your panel, it doesn't open the neutral. So the neutral is still connected to ground on the house system even with the main breaker off. A portable generator also has this bond at the power outlet. It's typically a heavy wire between the neutral and ground terminals of the main power outlet. This is a problem because you have the grnd/neutral bond at two locations on the system. This can cause voltage potential on the neutral and ground which can cause problems with electronics or even safety issues. Generators with GFCI breakers will trip because it senses the current flow to ground. The best way to remedy this is to remove the neutral to ground bond at the generator.
The bond will have to be reinstalled if using as a portable such as camping or running stuff on extension cords.
A ground rod is not recommended when backfeeding but you do need a ground connection to your house ground. I have a 4 pole twist lock plug that has separate ground and neutral and ties both in to my main panel. If you park your portable near your home's existing ground rod, it's fine to attach to the same rod but just not separate ones. A ground rod is recommended when the generator is being used as a standalone portable.
I hope this helps anyone who uses a portable to backfeed a house panel.
The bond will have to be reinstalled if using as a portable such as camping or running stuff on extension cords.
A ground rod is not recommended when backfeeding but you do need a ground connection to your house ground. I have a 4 pole twist lock plug that has separate ground and neutral and ties both in to my main panel. If you park your portable near your home's existing ground rod, it's fine to attach to the same rod but just not separate ones. A ground rod is recommended when the generator is being used as a standalone portable.
I hope this helps anyone who uses a portable to backfeed a house panel.