ds
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 2
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Post by ds on Sept 8, 2018 21:42:53 GMT
I just installed a 2000watt inverter, when I checked the receipticles on it with a plug in circuit checker it indicated the the hot and common were reversed. Any explanation?
Thx ds
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Post by tattoo on Sept 8, 2018 21:57:14 GMT
It could be the checker or it could be the inverter.... Did you also check it with a meter?
Have you tried to plug anything into it to see if it works? Like a light?
If it is reversed all it will do is blow the fuses inside it...
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ds
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 2
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Post by ds on Sept 9, 2018 8:07:20 GMT
I did check with fluke volt meter and it measures 110vac plus I plugged in various lights and a bug zapper and they all worked fine. I was just curious as to why the circuit checker indicates the plus and minus are backwards. I don’t think the circuit checker is bad I checked in my house and the receptacles are correct. I’m just guessing here but I’m thinking the common on the invereter is flouting not tied to ground. Just thought I post to see if anyone else ever ran across this
Thx ds
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v10
Solar Advocate
Posts: 81
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Post by v10 on Sept 9, 2018 17:12:41 GMT
For kicks I checked mine after reading this.
Mine read open ground
When I pressed the button on top of the tester it changed to reversed as yours reads
I'm not sure I believe it, but the tester works normally on standard AC plugs. I use it often.
Mine is a cheap modified wave, properly installed. I use it often also.
I wonder if the mod wave has something to do with it.?
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grumpy
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 40
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Post by grumpy on Sept 9, 2018 21:22:48 GMT
For kicks I checked mine after reading this. Mine read open ground When I pressed the button on top of the tester it changed to reversed as yours reads I'm not sure I believe it, but the tester works normally on standard AC plugs. I use it often. Mine is a cheap modified wave, properly installed. I use it often also. I wonder if the mod wave has something to do with it.? After reading this I had to check my 3000 watt Modified Sine Wave inverter and I get the same readings with my 2$ tester - open ground. Multimeter shows open between Neutral and Ground.My Inverter has an option for hard wiring the unit so I checked at those connections and there is a link between receptical ground and HW ground to the grounding screw on the unit. So my other question would be, would a GFI work in that type of circuit? |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 9, 2018 21:44:21 GMT
After reading this I had to check my 3000 watt Modified Sine Wave inverter and I get the same readings with my 2$ tester - open ground. Multimeter shows open between Neutral and Ground.My Inverter has an option for hard wiring the unit so I checked at those connections and there is a link between receptical ground and HW ground to the grounding screw on the unit. So my other question would be, would a GFI work in that type of circuit? I was wondering if any of you have your inverter itself grounded to a ground rod outside? My entire system is grounded all but my panels. Could it be that the inverter uses the neutral side if it doesn't recognize a separate ground for safety reasons...... |
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grumpy
Solar Newcomer
Posts: 40
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Post by grumpy on Sept 9, 2018 23:36:07 GMT
After reading this I had to check my 3000 watt Modified Sine Wave inverter and I get the same readings with my 2$ tester - open ground. Multimeter shows open between Neutral and Ground.My Inverter has an option for hard wiring the unit so I checked at those connections and there is a link between receptical ground and HW ground to the grounding screw on the unit. So my other question would be, would a GFI work in that type of circuit? I was wondering if any of you have your inverter itself grounded to a ground rod outside? My entire system is grounded all but my panels. Could it be that the inverter uses the neutral side if it doesn't recognize a separate ground for safety reasons...... Currently mine is grounded through shore power. I have a 50 amp RV plug wired to a 30 amp outside box comming from my shed. The trailer has a 100 amp breaker box with only 120 volt circuits so my grounding wire from the trailer goes to the shed with a grounding rod and to the grid over #10 copper. (30 amp breaker) All 120 volt plugs read normal with the tester with the exception of the Inverter. I researched some wiring schematics for inverters and only the 220 volt are shown with ground. |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 10, 2018 0:08:05 GMT
Currently mine is grounded through shore power. I have a 50 amp RV plug wired to a 30 amp outside box comming from my shed. The trailer has a 100 amp breaker box with only 120 volt circuits so my grounding wire from the trailer goes to the shed with a grounding rod and to the grid over #10 copper. (30 amp breaker) All 120 volt plugs read normal with the tester with the exception of the Inverter. I researched some wiring schematics for inverters and only the 220 volt are shown with ground. Yea it was a long shot.. Guess that's not the problem....
It's sounds like your system is set up really well... I grounded mine just to be safe, Why not, it sure won't hurt anything... LOL
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v10
Solar Advocate
Posts: 81
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Post by v10 on Sept 10, 2018 21:40:13 GMT
It sounds like both of you have nice set-ups. Eventually I will set my house up.
Mine is grounded to the chassis of a van which we know isn't 'earthed'
If it ever stops raining here, I will try connecting a cable to the rod for the garage sub-panel and report back
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Post by starman37121 on May 10, 2019 18:45:51 GMT
Just be careful with messing around with reversed polarity, UN-grounded, poor ground connections, back-feeds, I got a real "charge" out of a panel that had a hot neutral side and the only ground was through metal chips on the floor. That was before GFCI was invented.
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terracore
Solar Advocate
Chillin at EZwineKIT.com
Posts: 50
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Post by terracore on May 13, 2019 0:23:35 GMT
Here is an answer from a competitor's web site, I believe Renogy uses the same scheme (maybe even the same Chinese manufacturer?):
10. What precaution should be taken in inverters where none of the current carrying conductors is bonded to the chassis?
In some inverters designed for portable use, the two current carrying conductors connected to the "Line/Live/Hot" slot and the "Neutral / Return / Cold" slot of the receptacle ( for example, 15 A NEMA5-15R) are isolated from the metal chassis of the inverter. In these inverters, none of the two poles can be called Neutral as both these poles are isolated from the chassis of the inverter. Both the Line and Neutral slots of the receptacle will be at an elevated voltage with respect to the chassis - normally around 60 VAC (Half of the voltage between the two current carrying conductors). Hence, do not touch the neutral slot of the receptacle!
These types of inverters are designed to be connected directly to the AC loads. These are not designed to be permanently installed into household or recreational vehicle AC distribution wiring. As this type of connection / installation can not be classified as a permanent installation, the NEC requirement of grounded distribution system doesn't strictly apply.
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