inverter saftey

thankyou for the reply,will go and test mine.

That has raised some questions.

Shouldn't all inverters be isolated from the DC input side to the AC output side?

If the AC output side is isolated from earth/ground/vehicle then you can not get a shock from a live AC output to the metal body of the vehicle.

If the Earth terminal of the AC outlet is bonded to the metal body of the vehicle then it is also bonded to the negative of the DC input there for not isolated.

Do you need a RCD safety switch in any or all of the above?

I think I have confused myself LOL. Seriously though I know nothing about inverters, just hook mine up to DC and use it.

I was thinking about the isolated power supply Dad had in the shed, used before double insulated tools came on the market.

So to me isolated meant the AC output was isolated from earth, just like that transformer did in Dads power supply.

Yes Mac, all inverters sold now (and in recent times) are, or at least should be, isolated.

This isolation expression refers to the live (L1 & L2) 230v output of the inverter. As the 12v negative is earthed to the vehicle body then if the inverter metal housing is secured to the vehicle body, so the housing is connected to 12v negative, but that's OK. So long as the 230v side is isolated from the 12v circuit and from the metal housing.

The earth pin of the 230v outlet socket is connected to the metal body of the inverter and if this is then in contact with the vehicle body as a hove, then this ensures that any Class 1 appliance (Those with metal housings connected to the earth pin) will be equipotential with the vehicle body so no voltage can be developed between them. This is better than not being bonded but not as good as Class 2 (Double-insulated).

Do you need a RCD? No, because being an isolated 230v live circuit (Not connected to earth or the vehicle body) no current can flow to earth hence a RCD is neither necessary nor can it operate in most normal circumstances. I just hope this does not fire-up another RCD debate!

You Dad's "isolated power supply" is exactly the same as an isolated inverter.

Allan B, you have hit the right spot regarding isolating the 12 volts supply from the 230 volt output. Up until 6-7 years ago there inverters on the market which had a feed-back connection from the output to input. The problem was highlighted when someone on a building site was electrocuted when making contact with the 12 volt side. I can't remember the exact details but that's the guts of it. Following that incident a new Australian Standard was developed to overcome the deficiencies of the non-isolated inverters. There should not be any non-isolated inverters currently on the Australian market. For this reason I would be reluctant to buy an inverter from O/seas on fleabay without knowing the full specs.

Cheers
Jon

HI Allan
RE [quote]"Do you need a RCD? No, because being an isolated 230v live circuit (Not connected to earth or the vehicle body) no current can flow to earth hence a RCD is neither necessary nor can it operate in most normal circumstances. I just hope this does not fire-up another RCD debate![end quote ]

YES, a RCD cannot function

Perhaps ADD the safety recommendation?

ONLY CONNECT ONE CLASS1 device at any time
PeterQ

HI Macropad
Do you remember the SAFETY recommendation that came with those "SAFETY PAKS"

Only connect one CLASS 1 device
NO DOUBLE adaptors
On two occassions, I actauly saw the results of using double adapters & Class 1 tools
ONE,a very nasty shock
Ambulance job & the other a real shake up.
PLease consider the SAFETY RECOMMENDATION


PeterQ

Better still, avoid Class 1 altogether and only use Class 2 (Double Insulated) appliances.

HI Allan
Totally agree with that
where

PeterQ

Oldtrack, now that's a long time ago.
We had at least one when I started my apprentiship in 1974.
When double insulated tools were introduced the factory bought them, we did have a huge metal case drill that need the safety pack but don't remember the recommendations, it's a long time ago... LOL

HI Mactrol pod


The "Safety Paks" came onto the market about mid/'late 1960s
IF my poor old memory serves me right

RCDs ,called 'Earth leakage core balance circuit breakers" 'at that time came onto the Aus market market earlier, aroundf the late 50s early 60s ,again if my memory is correct
KLockner Mueller was the brand that the company I worked for
[as head service technician] sold

PeterQ