Earthing an inverter

D

DavidGrieves

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Aug 2001
Messages
423
Location
West Cumbria, Cumbria
www.wsandba.co.uk
Hi All

I have an inverter which I'm planning to use onboard. I don't know how to earth it. Do I just connect an earth wire from the inverter to the through hull anode? Would this just join the earth to the negative? Do I need a seperate throught hull connection? Or do I not need to connect the earth?

Thanks
 
Earthing of an inverter is a vital saftey consideration, and not to be taken lightly if unsure. The ABYC has alot to say on the subject, and various manfacturers also provide guidence notes, e.g. http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/268/docserve.asp

Bottom line is it should be tied into the rest of the vessels grounding systems, so not just to an anode. This goes back to the ABYCs recommendation for a common grounding point for all systems, which unfortunatly also raises issues of galvanic corrotion, but they also can be resolved in a correct installation.
 
I earthed mine, to the main earth, in my mains distribution box, which goes to all the sockets etc around the boat
I'm not sure about earthing it to anodes and things, I like to keep mains eletricity completely seperate from any other systems aboard.
I'm sure somebody will tell me I'm wrong, but there it is!
 
All the 240v electrical kit we use onboard is double insulated (indicated by a box within a box) ...
The inverter feeds direct into the shorepower plugin point - so is protected from there.
 
I have my earth going to the battery negative! i normally use the socket on the inverter for tools etc but sometimes plug the shore power lead into the inverter to power up the boat for the cabin lights....is this safe?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have my earth going to the battery negative

[/ QUOTE ]
Can't see anything wrong with that with my limited electrical knowledge ... and we sometimes use the inverter to powerup an energy saver lightbulb - as the combined effect is more light and less drain on the battery!!
 
As Anthony says the inverter should be earthed to the boats systems in exactly the same way as shorepower should be. It may however be necessary to "earth" one side of the inverters output if that is not already done so creating a live and neutral, but you should consult the manufacturer's literature about that. Once one side of the inverter's ouput is earthed and the whole thing earthed to the ships system you will be able to use an RCD to protect youself in the same way that one would protect you with a shorepower installation.

Having said that if the inverter is housed in a double insulated case, and does not therefore have one side of its supply earthed, and only double insulated equipment is to be used and connected directly to it I would be tempted not to bother. You won't get any protection from a RCD though.

A galvanic isolator is NOT relevant to the use of an inverter. It is only necessary in the incoming earth connection of a shore power installation
 
Just an observation. I have a cheapy 150W inverter from Maplin. The earth pin on the output socket is connected internally to the 0v of the DC input. I discovered this when I was using it to power a soldering iron. And touched the bit on a live 12v connection /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just fit an LCD ?

[/ QUOTE ]
"Light Emitting Diode"????????

An RCD would probably be a better bet!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Or even a "Liquid crystal display"
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just fit an LCD ?

[/ QUOTE ]
"Light Emitting Diode"????????

An RCD would probably be a better bet!!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

LCD - is not an LED ..... but you are right about RCD ....

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top