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Post by Telemachus on Oct 29, 2016 12:55:22 GMT
In case any confirmation is required, the advice from Tony is entirely correct.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 13:00:47 GMT
If you do make up a Neutrel-Earth link lead it'd be worth labelling it clearly and indelibly; eg 'Neutral-Earth bond lead, for xxxxx inverter only' - that way it's less likely to be mistakenly used on a normal shore supply. I would also earth the inverter case to the steelwork with some green/yellow cable, a decent size say like 4mm or 6mm so it can't get damaged easily. Also one of those cheap three pin socket testers can be plugged in somewhere visible and help verify the earth is functional. Last but not least, it's worth testing the RCD now and then with the button, but it only checks the RCD itself, not the integrity of the earth. Thanks for the tips, The whole electrical systems need a good check over as the more I look at the more "iffy things I discover !! Ignorance is bliss isn't it I have got one of theseΒ bestpriceonline.co.uk/peakmeter-pm6860er-automatic-electric-socket-tester-neutral-live-earth-wire-testing-rcd-test-uk-plug-230v/to check the sockets with. No instructions supplied though !! I tried it on the home sockets and thankfully they tested ok. i.e green lights to say socket was wired correctly (not tried it on the boat yet) It does have a rcd test button on it, what should I expect to happen when the rcd test button is pushed, I thought pressing the rcd test would trip the rcd but all I got was a red led when the test button was pushed ?? I would expect the RCD to trip. Was this when using the un-linked inverter?
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bodgit
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bodgit on Oct 29, 2016 13:27:30 GMT
No, this was at home testing the home sockets.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 14:03:29 GMT
No, this was at home testing the home sockets. Do you have an RCD at home?
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Post by Gone on Oct 29, 2016 14:27:47 GMT
My understanding is that there is no regulation requirement for E&N to be bonded inside an inverter, therefore the CE mark does not mean that it is.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 14:30:49 GMT
My understanding is that there is no regulation requirement for E&N to be bonded inside an inverter, therefore the CE mark does not mean that it is. I went looking for that Reg when Graham so pompously declared it but I couldn't find it. Not finding something doesn't mean it doesn't exist though. However, I've never heard of it before.
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Post by Gone on Oct 29, 2016 14:40:56 GMT
Merlin state that the marine inverters that they supply are CE and E mark certified and require N&E bonding for correct operation of an RCD etc but the inverter is supplied without a NE bond. I am inclined to think that Merlin will be fully aware of the regs and requirements for CE marking.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 14:53:23 GMT
Merlin state that the marine inverters that they supply are CE and E mark certified and require N&E bonding for correct operation of an RCD etc but the inverter is supplied without a NE bond. I am inclined to think that Merlin will be fully aware of the regs and requirements for CE marking. One would suppose so.
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bodgit
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bodgit on Oct 29, 2016 15:00:39 GMT
No, this was at home testing the home sockets. Do you have an RCD at home? Ha Ha, In an extreme case of muppetry I just assumed there was one and didn't look and expected the sockets to go off. The fuse box at home has a main switch and individual mcb's for the circuits. Just tried it on the rcd socket I use for the pond and it tripped the rcd when the button was pressed so I guess it will work fine on the boat.
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 15:41:45 GMT
Do you have an RCD at home? Ha Ha, In an extreme case of muppetry I just assumed there was one and didn't look and expected the sockets to go off. The fuse box at home has a main switch and individual mcb's for the circuits. Just tried it on the rcd socket I use for the pond and it tripped the rcd when the button was pressed so I guess it will work fine on the boat. Guessed as much π That's great news because it's a much better test of the RCD than the button on the RCD itself π
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Post by JohnV on Oct 29, 2016 15:47:42 GMT
just a little point ..... when you use it on the boat, if you are plugged in to the shore socket you will almost certainly trip the one in the bollard as well as the one in the boat. There is no "differentiation" between them ...in other words both will see the fault and both will react
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Post by tonyqj on Oct 29, 2016 15:50:39 GMT
just a little point ..... when you use it on the boat, if you are plugged in to the shore socket you will almost certainly trip the one in the bollard as well as the one in the boat. There is no "differentiation" between them ...in other words both will see the fault and both will react Maybe. Or maybe not. Depends on the speed/age/sensitivity/humidity/wind direction/black magic/luck...
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Post by JohnV on Oct 29, 2016 15:58:46 GMT
just a little point ..... when you use it on the boat, if you are plugged in to the shore socket you will almost certainly trip the one in the bollard as well as the one in the boat. There is no "differentiation" between them ...in other words both will see the fault and both will react Maybe. Or maybe not. Depends on the speed/age/sensitivity/humidity/wind direction/black magic/luck... I would suggest that if the shore one doesn't it is probably out of spec. the test current applied by the tester should be well in excess of the 30mA requirement
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