Installing shore power and battery charger

[DaveS]

It would be fairly straightforward to wire a red neon indicator (most panel mount devices incorporate a dropping resistor and can be connected directly to mains voltage) between N and E which would light up if L & E were reversed - provided that E was connected. To guard against not spotting a missing E, I would be tempted to also wire a green neon indicator between L and E. (Funnily enough, for years I've been thinking of adding indicators like this to my electricity meter to confirm that all is well up to the boat, but have yet to get round to it... ) One point: the neon indicator's current, normally 2 - 3 mA, will appear to the pontoon RCD as earth leakage (which indeed it is). This should be well below its tripping level (normally 30 mA) but it would add to any other leakage current present.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Dave - thanks for your useful comments on polarity.

 

[Kylora]

This Martindale Tester can be used to check for reversed polarity.

Ash

 

[VicS]

The "official" line is that the shorepower earth should be connected to the low voltage (12 volt ?) negative and hence via any anodes and the engine and sterngear to the water. It would then be very advisable to fit a galvanic isolator in the shorepower earth if it will be left connected even if not in use.