220V

[sanna]

We would like to install a 220V system in our grp sailboat. We have a combined unit consisting of a circuit breaker (10A) and a recidual current device (30 MA) with two output connections. We also have a Morbitronic battery charger (25A) which could be plugged into the one of the two connections.
I wonder - is it necessary to grownd the system and if this is the case - how should it be done?
Thank you in advance for any reply.

"Sanna" from Oslo

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[steve_cronin]

You would need to consult your national electrical installations regulator but since the shorepower three pin plug uses an earth then you would be connected to ground via that. However you are relying upon someone else's good wiring expertise and the state of the connections for your safety.

Some people fit an earth plate to their boats (although the principal use of this is to improve reception of GPS & HF radio apparatus) and link this to the earth connection in the distribution unit but just a simple connection can lead to your boat and the adjacent one in a marina making a galvanic cell which will cause either rapid anode regression and/or corrosion to hull fittings. Therefore a device called a "Galvanic Isolator" needs to be used in line. These I notice are now being fitted as standard equipment on some US vessels.

Steve Cronin

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[roger]

You talk of 220 volts. In the UK we use a nominal 240 volt supply. I suggest you check to make sure that differences in voltage levels do not cause any problems for your equipment

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[tr7v8]

Europe is nominal 220V where as UK is still specified as 240V.
You would need to find your equivalent local regulations as the UK uses what are known as the 16th amendment which is now a British Standard. I believe that their is a european standard but it will be subjected to some local variations in each country.
I would certainly look at running a Galvanic isolater
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yandina.com/galvanicIsolator.htm>http://www.yandina.com/galvanicIsolator.htm</A> covers whatis involved.

Jim
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Draco 2500

 

[poggy]

Hi,

The UK is now officially 230V in a transition to being 220V in line with europe. In reality this makes no difference to how equipment will work in practice.

With a RCCB residual current circuit breaker it measures the current and if it detects a loss of around 30ma, it will trip as it assumes there is a current leak. If you use a generator on the mainland, these are sometimes used with earth spikes but more often than not they are used without. It is quite acceptable to rely on the earth from the marina supply and in most cases they will also be protected by a RCCB and more than likely a 16A circuit breaker.

Poggy


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[Anchorite]

Re: 220V + 10

Europe is nominal 230 volts although living in the primary fallout area
of 2 nuclear power stations we have here the (dis)advantage of a steady
238 supply. The 230 standard has been in force for at least 10 years.
Threephase is usually 400, old plants sometimes still have 230.
All +/- 10%. Our currency is called the EURO (TIC).

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[peterb]

Re: 220V + 10

LUNATICs I've heard of. I take it they're related to EURO(TIC)s?

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[Heckler]

i complained a few years ago

to MANWEB about lo voltage in the house, 220ish and was told in no uncertain terms that we in GB now have only 220 volts as the norm to put us in line with the EU, so we are not 240 any more!!
stu

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