How to / DIY > Generators

Add an external socket to generator

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BruceM:
A decent capacity welder will require much more power than any hand tool,  likely well over 50 amps, so you could easily have two 25 amp 115V oulets on breakers, if you like.  A GFCI  type outlet would be a more valuable safety feature, in my mind, as on a job site, things can be rushed so some extra shock safety is a nice feature.  GFCIs save people, breakers save equipment.

veggie:
Is there any danger in not having the ground and neutral bonded in your new receptacle.? Maybe !
Some portable generators have ground and neutral bonded because they are the "Source".
But larger generators usually have a "Floating" neutral which is not bonded to ground.

Usually if you connect a generator to a ground bonded system such as a house, then you leave the neutral on the generator "floating".
(Ground and neutral are bonded at ONLY once place in the system. Usually the house mains panel.)
But if you want to add a receptacle to that same generator, it will now have a floating neutral, which may be a no-no.

Might be important.

BruceM:
That is an important safety issue, Veggie, and one I missed.  Thanks for catching it.  Important for tools which are older and may not be double insulated, so a safety ground is important for shock safety. The safety ground does nothing for modern double insulated tools, which have no ground connection at all.

An ohm meter to confirm internal neutral to ground bonding(connection) in the welder set is warranted. 

Kev:
Veggie and BruceM, many thanks for you both taking the time to advise me. This machine will not be connected to a house system. It is just mainly used for the welder. I just thought it would be great to have a double socket to run say a drill, light or grinder from.
I'm in UK so I need to look for a CFGI for a 120v. Will I need one or 2 for the double socket?. Can I connect the branch wire from the back of the welder to get the 115v. That's where the cable from generator is bolted to ( the middle  of the dial on welder controls).

BruceM:
 I didn't realize you were in the UK.

You may find it useful to add a step up transformer to get 230V. You didn't mention the frequency of the generator AC output.
That's an issue as well as far as compatibility, though not for things like most power tools.

Your GFCIs are more commonly called an RCD outlet or residual current detectors.  Our GFCI outlets are dual socket, and can protect more outlets, with current limited to the GFCI unit capacity, often 15amps of 115/120V (60 Hz).

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