Inverter earth

[real_vibes]

Hi all

 

Can I ground my inverter to the GI? The mains and inverter are never on at the same time if that makes any difference?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul C]

Can you be more specific when you say "to the GI" - which terminal of the GI do you want to ground it to?

[nicknorman]

Do you live in Australia? Anyway, there is no reason not to connect the inverter earth to the boat side of the GI, but of course this will achieve nothing if the boat side of the GI isn't connected to the hull somewhere.

[real_vibes]

The boat is correctly earthed, that's why I thought it would be nice and simple to just earth the inverter to the GI.

 

It would be my assumption that earthing it to either of the GI terminals would have the same effect.

 

But I am no expert.

[nicknorman]

The boat is correctly earthed, that's why I thought it would be nice and simple to just earth the inverter to the GI.

 

It would be my assumption that earthing it to either of the GI terminals would have the same effect.

 

But I am no expert.

No, if you connect it to the shore side of the GI there is a pretty good chance that the GI may be bypassed at some point and rendered ineffective, and there is no up-side to doing this. Definitely connect it to the boat side. Edited January 25, 2014 by nicknorman

[real_vibes]

And the logic that the boat side of the GI is connected to the main earth and therefore is a suitable point to earth the inverter to is sound?

 

Thanks

[nicknorman]

Yes, as I said presuming the boat's earthing is properly done which you say it is. If in doubt, trace the earth wiring from the GI and check it goes to a hull stud as well as the sockets.

[smileypete]

One side of the GI and the shoreline inlet earth pin should be connected to each other ONLY, and nothing else.

 

Then the other side of the GI is then connected to the consumer unit earth common block, hull earth bond and so on.

 

How are loads connected to the inverter, is there some sort of changeover switch?

 

And BTW did you manage to sort out your shore supply polarity issue in the end?

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited January 25, 2014 by smileypete

[Paul C]

I'd be tempted to run the earth wire directly from the inverter to the hull earth point. The reason being, if its connected via the GI's earth point, then there's 2 wires and 4 connectors between the inverter earth and the hull. If its direct, then its 1 wire and 2 connections. Of course, logically, they are the same thing, but the less the number of connections, the more reliable it would be.