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Grounding Made simpler - Part 4: Mobile systems.

Grounding Made simpler - Part 4: Mobile systems. 2021-06-16

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The subject of grounding is a complex, multifaceted subject, that is often treated as an after-thought but needs to be considered from the beginning of the design and build process of any DIY Solar/Battery Project.

This is Part 4 of a 4-part series on grounding basics.

  1. AC & Household
    Part 1 covers the basics of grounding for household AC systems. Even if you are familiar with house wiring, it is suggested that the reader review this paper to become familiar with the terminology concepts and practices of grounding.

  2. Stationary Systems
    Part 2 introduces the grounding principles of DC wiring, inverters and multiple power sources.

  3. Solar Panels
    Part 3 is a short overview of how to properly ground the frames and mounting racks of Solar arrays.

  4. Mobile Systems (This Paper)
    Part 4 goes through designing the grounding scheme that addresses the unique situations encountered in a mobile system.
Each of the 4 parts are written to be usable and understandable as a stand-alone paper. However, to get a broad understanding of grounding and grounding principles, it is recommended that all 4 papers be read.

Note: This paper only gives a basic overview of grounding concepts and the NEC Grounding requirements. It is NOT a comprehensive review of the NEC grounding requirements.

International Note: This paper is written with a North-American point of view. However, many of the concepts are applicable elsewhere even if the implementation is not.

I would like to give a big shout-out to @Dzl, @upnorthandpersonal and @snoobler for their generous help in reviewing and editing the document.

Edits:
  1. Added note about All-in-one grounding.
  2. Added page about Generator Neutral-Ground bonding.
  3. 3 march '21 - Corrected diagram showing GFPD
  4. Fixed a couple of wording typos
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FilterGuy
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This has been an extremely helpful resource for me and has given me much more confidence about moving forward with my build. Somehow all the examples were both detailed and concise, which is hard to do!
Thank you for the work, excellent resource for us full time RV’ers!
Great overview! While I am a EE, I appreciate the research you did so you could cover the many non-obvious side effects of power system grounding.

I have a suggestion: There are many examples on the Internet of fusing (usually circuit breakers) both the positive and negative connections for a device. In particular, I see many examples of this on the wires between the solar panel(s) and the solar charge controller.

From your discussion of grounding, this would seem to be counter productive, as well as unnecessary.

Some clarification on this issue would be of value to many of us.
Thank you!
FilterGuy
FilterGuy
Yes, that is a good point. The NEC requires a disconnect that breaks both positive and negative on the PV circuits...... and I have never seen that explained. Maybe if I go looking again I can find something, but last time I looked I found a lot of places that stated the requirement but no place that explained why. (I suspect you are like me.....I hate it when I can't explain the 'why' behind a requirement)
What a thorough, educational resource on RV grounding! FilterGuy’s ability to present with illustrations is superb. His document even included a “flashback” reference to the Disco era ?
Thanks!
This is a great summary on the topic, and very nicely illustrated.
Wow, Such great information! Do not attempt to install a PV solar system, inverter, battery backup, etc., without reading all 4 parts.

I made it my mission today to thoroughly read, study and digest all four parts of Grounding Made Simpler. As the author recommends I began with Part one and took them in order comparing and studying the drawings along with the descriptions, further researching anything that wasn't sure about. It was so worth it. I doubt a video will ever be made that even comes close to the depths this written series has in clarifying this topic of electrical grounding. As I said, it took me a full day to read and digest this, but then I'm pretty thick. Still, I can only imagine the time it took FilterGuy to organize, write, illustrate, and publish these papers. Many, many thanks, it is such a gift for the those of us that need this knowledge.

To FilterGuy: I'm rebuilding a 29' Airstream travel trailer. An 800W PV array and a large 24V LiFePO4 battery bank are two of the big additions I'm incorporating. I had to tear the trailer all the way down to the frame so I'm also completely rewiring the trailer electrical, but I do plan on restoring the shore AC power to 120V and 30A, more seems unnecessary since I'm building it for boondocking and I'll have the hybrid inverter and a 24V battery bank with 560Ahs. I've been thinking a lot about, and searching for answers for the proper / safe way to ground everything. I'll feel so much more confidence now about making my solar charge controller and hybrid inverter selections. Admittedly, I'm a serious researcher and I take working with electricity very seriously. Up until now the majority of my experience has been basic residential split phase wiring, so, it's been necessary to learn a great deal considering PV and LiFePO4. DIY SPF, has been a godsend and your articles and papers are a perfect compliment to Will's videos and the great thread and Resourse shares by others! If you have any suggestions of information I should pursue I will gratefully receive it.
Thanks,
Pete
Excellent, however a ground example left me confused, but it must be me :)
From one EE to another, this is excellent!
Absolutely brilliant. Explained in simple detail what the general manufacturers wont/dont do.
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