Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: Matthieu G on July 20, 2022, 11:55:54 AM

Title: Grounding on Inverter AC ouput
Post by: Matthieu G on July 20, 2022, 11:55:54 AM
Hello, I am making electrical corrections on my new to me boat.
Could someone guide me regarding the routing for grounding from an inverter output?

From the shore power I have my three wires that connect to the AC Input of the inverter. Black, white, green. On the AC output side of the inverter where does the ground (green) wire end? On my 12v negative bus bar? Or on the engine?

Also, the manual of the inverter (Freedom10Am Combi) specifies to connect its chassis to the ground. Again, same question here? 12vBus bar or engine? Guess it would be on engine, right?

In this regard, the manual also states: "Neutral Bonding. For safety purposes, the Freedom Combi unit internally bonds the AC ouput neutral(white) to the AC ground (green), when theunit is OFF or in the inverter mode. When incoming AC power is applied and the transfer switch is engaged, the internal neutral-to-ground bond is automatically lifted. This means that when AC power(shore power) is applied, the grounding system is connected to the shore power ground, where neutral and earth ground are bonded together . "

Thanks
Title: Re: Grounding on Inverter AC ouput
Post by: Matthieu G on July 20, 2022, 12:13:06 PM
If I can add more information about the existing connection:

The green wire from the Inverter's Ac output was connected to a dead end. In other words connected to nothing.

So I have the impression that the ground was made by the neutral wire.
Possible ?

Title: Re: Grounding on Inverter AC ouput
Post by: Noah on July 20, 2022, 01:23:38 PM
Might get a more answers by posting on the "Boat Electrical Systems" group site on Facebook.
Title: Re: Grounding on Inverter AC ouput
Post by: KWKloeber on July 20, 2022, 07:22:24 PM
Quote from: Matthieu G on July 20, 2022, 12:13:06 PM

So I have the impression that the ground was made by the neutral wire.
Possible ?


The manual says how it is grounded when OFF or in inverter mode.  And how grounded with shore power applied.

Is your 12v NEG and engine bonded per ABYC?
Or is the bond broken or removed (to avoid galvanic corrosion from other boats)?

Suggest this is something you may not want to screw around with unless you have the knowledge and may want to get a QUALIFIED marine electrician's look-see.  The life you don't electrocute might be someone else's.

Or get and understand a copy of ABYC E-11.
Title: Re: Grounding on Inverter AC ouput
Post by: Matthieu G on July 22, 2022, 09:42:06 AM
Ok,  thanks for your help guys.