Re the L-N fault, my generator has a 10A MCB on the 240v output.
Plugwash and Adam have it in a nutshell, an electrically separate source doesn't have an electrical connection to earth at the supply. Under single fault condition there is no alternative path for current to flow therefore will not trip the RCD. If the fault is downstream from the RCD, say on L1 to true earth this now becomes the reference to earth of the system which is now in effect a TN system. This fault can lay undetected as the system will function as normal. If another fault should occur on the L2 leg there can now be 240v exposed to true earth. Someone touching the fault on L2 completes the circuit through the L1 fault and recieves a shock. As both faults are downstream from the RCD it is will almost certainly not detect an imbalance and disconnect the supply. This is why equipotential bonding between exposed conductive parts and circuit protective devices in both poles are important in electrically separate systems are required. Also to reduce the risk of the system unintentionally becoming accidentally earthed the system is required to be kept as short as possible.
It is possible to get a shock from an electrically separate source such as a generator although you would need to be simultaneously touching both of the live conductors or as above.
Plugwash and Adam have it in a nutshell, an electrically separate source doesn't have an electrical connection to earth at the supply. Under single fault condition there is no alternative path for current to flow therefore will not trip the RCD. If the fault is downstream from the RCD, say on L1 to true earth this now becomes the reference to earth of the system which is now in effect a TN system. This fault can lay undetected as the system will function as normal. If another fault should occur on the L2 leg there can now be 240v exposed to true earth. Someone touching the fault on L2 completes the circuit through the L1 fault and recieves a shock. As both faults are downstream from the RCD it is will almost certainly not detect an imbalance and disconnect the supply. This is why equipotential bonding between exposed conductive parts and circuit protective devices in both poles are important in electrically separate systems are required. Also to reduce the risk of the system unintentionally becoming accidentally earthed the system is required to be kept as short as possible.
It is possible to get a shock from an electrically separate source such as a generator although you would need to be simultaneously touching both of the live conductors or as above.
