inverter safety

Neil & Pauline replied:

My inverter has a RCD incorporated in the outlet and a fuse going in. I am not an electrician but I do know the RCD works as I am still here.

Neil Thumbs UpThanks 0

T-Ribby replied:

The post you're referring to was regarding camper-trailers, not camper-vans.
Vans hardwired for 240v are fitted with an RCD box as standard.
Have a look for it.
T.R.

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Tony Middleditch replied:

Brian, an RCD (Residual Current Device) - also known as a safety switch and previously known as an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) operates by measuring any in-balance in current flow between the active and neutral conductors. The standard RCD will operate when the in-balance (fault current) reaches or exceeds 30 milliamps. The in-balance current would be flowing through an alternate means back to the source of supply (through the earthing system).

The issue with portable power sources is the lack of an earthing system and the lack of M.E.N (Multiple Earth / Neutral bonding). This means that a fault current path through may not exist meaning that the RCD will not operate unless the fault is integral with the supply cables or the connected equipment.

So, in answer to your question, an RCD would improve the safety but will not work in the same circumstances as it would in a fixed LV (240 volt) installation.

Note, If RCDs are to be fitted to a switchboard, it is best to use individual MCB / RCDs (main circuit breaker RCDs) to each circuit requiring protection.
Disclaimer - Electrical work undertaken on fixed LV grid supplied installations is required to be undertaken by an authorised person.

Cheers Tony, REC7359

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Crackles replied:

Brian. Most of the time items plugged into an inverter are double insulated & don't require an RCD for protection (eg: chargers/laptops). The problem with an inverter in a car is often an extension lead is used away from the vehicle & as it doesn't have it's own earth stake like a house, an RCD has no return path for a fault, possibly not tripping even when you're getting a shock on the other end. I see some hire company's are now fitting RCD's to their generators with portable earth spikes to be hit into the ground. A similar system could be used on an inverter although our power company decided against putting them in all the trucks.
Cheers Craig.............. Thumbs UpThanks 0

joc45 replied:

Be careful! The budget 380w inverter I own says definitely DO NOT earth the neutral of the 240v output; ie, do not connect it to the vehicle earth. Obviously both the AC output leads are floating with respect to the -12v input and connecting one back to the -12v will cause problems or disaster. This would be something to do with simpler design.
Larger inverters may be ok, but check the handbook first.
Gerry Thumbs UpThanks 0