Once you’ve made sure that the generator you’ve chosen will meet the needs of your system, there are a few other things to consider. First, it’s important to respect the starting power by not firing up the entire P.A. system or amp rack all at once. And though it should go without saying, here I am, saying it: generators should be used only outside in unenclosed areas, at least 20 feet from any other structures. It’s also a generally bad idea to run some of your gear from shore power while also running some of it from a generator. Ditto for using two generators simultaneously…Smaller portable generators (under say… 10 kVa) use their metal frame as a ground, so it may not be necessary to drive a ground rod in situations where gear is connected directly to the AC receptacles on the generator using cord-and-plug (i.e., extension cables). This arrangement is not going to fly when using commercial-grade generators with a power distro to power a large-scale P.A. system. If you’re not familiar with the grounding requirements as well as the local electrical code, hire someone who is. And even for a small event, it’s worthwhile having a qualified electrician check the connections before you fire up the gear. Safety is always the first concern.
Steve La Cerra, from “On the Digital Edge,” FRONT of HOUSE, May 2024, page 34
