Help needed. Where does the earth one go?

[steveeasy]

Ok some months ago I disconnected the supply from my 12 both switch to my switch panal.
I’ve retired everything to a switch panel and went to reconnect the supply cable from the 1-2 both switch to panel and quite frankly can’t remember where the earth cable goes.
I know where the positive wire goes but have no idea where to connect the earth. Here’s some pics

 

[Boater Sam]

There is no earth on 12v one two both switch! If some clown has wired it with mains 3 core cable its wrong.

 

[Aja]

Do you mean -12v (black)?

 

[steveeasy]

Yes 12v black.

From memory I cut the red positive wire from 1-2 both switch to isolate panal. Gone to reconnect it and trying to work out where I run an earth from panel too?
Steveeasy

 

[MontyMariner]

Only the Positive cables are wired through the 1B2 switch, the return cable goes direct from the device / instrument to the battery negative.

 

[steveeasy]

Only the Positive cables are wired through the 1B2 switch.

Yes I understand that. I am trying to remember/ understand where to run earth too.

I’m guessing I run an earth from switch panal to earth busbar!!!. Then from there to house battery earth terminal. But I can’t recal removing such.

Steveeasy

 

[steveeasy]

Here is my layout. Quite simple. Just need to know how to earth it.

 

[Boater Sam]

There is no such thing as an earth on a 12v DC system! If you are referring to the negative than it is not wired through the switch at all.

 

[rogerthebodger]

This is that classic misuse of terminology

Low voltage DC systems only have a positive (red) and negative(black)

Mains AC systems in the UK have line (brown) neutral (blue) and earth (yellow/Green)

On my DC system the battery negatives connected to a negative bus in my case via a DC current shunt all instrument negative then connects to the negative bus

The DC positive is connected to the battery positive via a fuse to a positive bus

 

[rogerthebodger]

Here is my layout. Quite simple. Just need to know how to earth it.

On the right side of this picture is what looks like your DC negative bus (silver) common connection

 

[steveeasy]

On the right side of this picture is what looks like your DC negative bus (silver) common connection

Yes

 

[steveeasy]

I’ve run the positive from 1-2 both switch to panel.
I’ve run earth from house battery to earth Bus Bar.

Everything works perfect.

Question.
Why no earth from panel to bud bar? Why does everything work without one?


Steveeasy

 

[wingcommander]

So you will have a thick wire from the Negative bus bar to the battery Negative
Oops too slow

 

[steveeasy]

2 wires one from 1-2 both switch red to panel.
1 black from house neg to busbar

 

[wingcommander]

I’ve run the positive from 1-2 both switch to panel.
I’ve run earth from house battery to earth Bus Bar.

Everything works perfect.

Question.
Why no earth from panel to bud bar? Why does everything work without one?


Steveeasy

Why would it not ??
You have made the circuit

 

[steveeasy]

Why would it not ??
You have made the circuit

But the panel has no earth. Can’t understand where it is taking it from.

Must be one of my moments I do have a few!!!.

Steveeasy

 

[Boater Sam]

But the panel has no earth. Can’t understand where it is taking it from.

Must be one of my moments I do have a few!!!.

Steveeasy

Stop calling it earth!!!! It is not earth, its battery negative. You will confuse everybody. There is no such thing as an earth on a DC battery system, only positive and negative.
You are making yourself look like a right muppet
The positive goes to the panel and all the switches on it, out to the individual circuits and the negatives for those circuits return to the busbar which is connected to the battery negative so you have a circuit.
The only things likely to have a negative feed on the panel are indicator lamps, some instruments and the warning buzzer all of which are probably on one wire back to the busbar.

 

[steveeasy]

Stop calling it earth!!!! It is not earth, its battery negative. You will confuse everybody. There is no such thing as an earth on a DC battery system, only positive and negative.
You are making yourself look like a right muppet
The positive goes to the panel and all the switches on it, out to the individual circuits and the negatives for those circuits return to the busbar which is connected to the battery negative so you have a circuit.
The only things likely to have a negative feed on the panel are indicator lamps, some instruments and the warning buzzer all of which are probably on one wire back to the busbar.

Thanks for the complement.!! Anyway all is fine and thanks for everyone’s advice.
Steveeasy

 

[wonkywinch]

 

[Refueler]

I have a feeling OP is getting knickers in a twist because of some boats having neg DC earthed out ... as well as back to battery neg.