Just planning a simple shore power installation

johnphilip said:
Pity about that standard that requires you to create a problem by connecting to the DC Negative and then buying an isolator to remove the problem it causes.
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Without this though, it perhaps only takes a single fault to put mains voltage between two metal objects aboard.
Double insulation might be an acceptable alternative, but standards don't always consider 'alternatives'.
 
Pladdatoo said:
Just for absolute clarification, this is the correct way to do it?
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Yes.

The problem is that "socket" really means a fitting with holes, into which the pins of a "plug" fit. So the fitting in the picture is actually a bulkhead-mounted plug, not a socket. But some people take "socket" to mean anything mounted on a wall regardless of gender (because most electrical fittings on walls are indeed sockets) and that's why the thing in the picture has been mislabelled as a socket.

Pete
 
johnphilip said:
Pity about that standard that requires you to create a problem by connecting to the DC Negative and then buying an isolator to remove the problem it causes.
Click to expand...

lw395 said:
Without this though, it perhaps only takes a single fault to put mains voltage between two metal objects aboard.
Double insulation might be an acceptable alternative, but standards don't always consider 'alternatives'.
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All a much debated subject.

the previous edition of ISO 13297 allowed the shorepower earth not to be bonded to the DC negative if an RCD provided whole craft protection.
However this was an anomalous situation in that no other standard permits total reliance on an RCD. They are electronic devices and they can fail. I think I am on my 4th one for use with portable tools and garden machinery. At least 2 of the previous ones failed " unsafe".
 
I am not sure I understand how bonding the earths of the DC and ac circuits adds additional protection than just the RCD. Surely the RCD is still the thing that switches the mains power off if there is a short through anything ?
 
OK, best to have an RCD and a MCB on the mains, but how does bonding the earths together help?

PS I think the unit under discussion above has an RCD and a double pole MCB?
 
sailorman said:
My 12v & 240v are not connected. i do not have a galvanic isolator either
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Same for me. I think my set up fits the "simple" description the OP asked about. DC and AC circuits never come into proximity. They don't share junction boxes or any common cabling ducts and etc. The only possible time DC and ac mix is when I use a mains charger, but then I disconnect my battery from both positive and negative DC cables to charge it. As I said, it is very simple.
 
OceanSprint said:
Same for me. I think my set up fits the "simple" description the OP asked about. DC and AC circuits never come into proximity. They don't share junction boxes or any common cabling ducts and etc. The only possible time DC and ac mix is when I use a mains charger, but then I disconnect my battery from both positive and negative DC cables to charge it. As I said, it is very simple.
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Agreed and that's what the op asked for. The marina power socket I'm connected to gives enough protection as I need.
 
OceanSprint said:
Same for me. I think my set up fits the "simple" description the OP asked about. DC and AC circuits never come into proximity. They don't share junction boxes or any common cabling ducts and etc. The only possible time DC and ac mix is when I use a mains charger, but then I disconnect my battery from both positive and negative DC cables to charge it. As I said, it is very simple.
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For me removing the DC cables when charging defeats the most useful feature of shorepower, the ability to use as many 12 volt circuits as I want without affecting the battery state.
 
All very interesting threads, I like the simple combined cable concept which is similar to my current sett up, but I've an urge to drill loads of holes in the boat and fit a system as per the link kindly supplied by Elton.

Perhaps I'll put a built in Battery charger addition on my Xmas list........
 
Here's secret film of a recent PBO test under way which should help you choose suitable equipment. I think you will be impressed.

162000_161014_83422_26946382.jpg


Tim
 
Just curious as to whether I created a death trap by simply fitting a domestic socket to the end of an old marine cable. I only really used it when ashore on the hard for mains powered tools, but keep it on the boat just in case I might need it in a marina.
 
rb_stretch said:
Just curious as to whether I created a death trap by simply fitting a domestic socket to the end of an old marine cable. I only really used it when ashore on the hard for mains powered tools, but keep it on the boat just in case I might need it in a marina.
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Not really. A plug-in RCD on the end might not go amiss, rather than relying on whatever the marina provides for shock protection at the head-end.

Pete
 
What I have is a small semicircular notch in the top washboard and a blue extension cable with a marina plug on one end and a 4 way socket on the other. It has worked flawlessly for years.
 
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