Is it safe to use electronic devices & accessories with portable Generator's output ?

Re: Is it safe to use electronic devices & accessories with portable Generator's outp

http://www.idobartana.com/hakb/oscope.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_8616546_diy-voltage-divider-oscilloscope.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_probe




Pico Manufacturer

"Active differential oscilloscope probes let you use a standard earthed oscilloscope to measure signals that are not referenced to ground, including mains voltages#. They can also be used to measure and observe the waveforms of three–phase supplies or the gate and control signals of semiconductor circuits. They are ideal for investigating motor speed controls, uninterruptible power supplies, switch mode power supplies and process controllers."

**broken link removed**

Re: Is it safe to use electronic devices & accessories with portable Generator's outp

Hi!

A further point I ought to mention is that some of the smaller and cheaper generator sets use a permanent-magnet alternator, and with these the output voltage will be fairly heavily dependent on the load current being drawn!

A popular model of 1kVA generator sold by B & Q and many similar chains which I have gives almost 300V on a light load and the frequency can be anything from 40-100 c/s (yes I'm old-fashioned!!!) depending on what mood the engine is in - these generators should NOT be used with something like a laptop adaptor or similar piece of modern electronics with a switch-mode psu as the rectifier could easily generate 450 - 550V across it's mains HT smoothing capacitor when run off a cheap genny, resulting in a very loud bang!!!

Chris Williams