Shlink
New Member
I've got a question about the 120v wiring in my system.
I'll be using a Blue Sea 3 slot 120v breaker panel.
Typically this type of panel would be used as a distribution from 1 AC source to multiple devices. I plan to remove the positive bus bar connecting all the positive inputs together, and use 2 different AC sources distributed to 3 devices.
My question is about how to handle the neutrals and grounds.
The ultimate goal is:
Breaker 1 = [Input]: Shore Power - [Output]: AC/DC Battery Charger
Breaker 2 = [Input]: Shore Power - [Output]: Inverter
Breaker 3 = [Input]: Inverter - [Output]: Outlets
My initial thought was to tie in all neutrals from every source / destination onto the neutral busbar within the panel. Same for the grounds to the ground busbar.
However I'm concerned that may cause issues if shore power is plugged in AND the inverter is running. Even though the positives will be isolated, they'll essentially be coming together where the neutrals meet.
Alternatively, I could just use the neutral bus bar for the inputs and outputs from Shore Power only, and wire the neutral of my outlets directly to the output of the inverter. (Or the opposite; wire the neutral / ground of the inverter and outlets to the bus bar, and not the shore power neutral / ground). Are there any drawbacks to this? Does the breaker (not GFCI) need to read or sense what's happening with the neutral or ground for any reason?
To break this scenario down a little, it would be like starting with an outlet with Positive, Neutral, and Ground all wired directly into the inverter, then cutting the positive wire and inserting a breaker. No reason for that breaker to interact with the neutral or ground at all correct? Or am I thinking in DC fuse/breaker terms too much.
If it's fine for breakers and the panel to be completely isolated from their respective neutrals / grounds, then perhaps it would be best to just ignore the ground / neutral bus bars on the blue sea panel entirely (except for grounding the actual panel it's self).
To make things more interesting (or possibly less interesting): The 3000w Renogy Inverter has a "UPS Transfer Switch" that should bypass the inverter and send shore power directly to the inverter's output if it detects power from the grid. The manual claims this happens within 20ms. I'm thinking this feature really eliminates the issue I'm concerned with, but would prefer to not rely on it functioning properly 100% of the time.
Hopefully my thoughts are coming through clearly and someone with knowledge and experience can let me know their thoughts.
I'll try to include some wiring diagrams for clarification. The DC side will be simplified for this question. The actual system will have solar, mppt, dc dc charger from starter battery, and other DC Loads.
Thanks!
I'll be using a Blue Sea 3 slot 120v breaker panel.
Typically this type of panel would be used as a distribution from 1 AC source to multiple devices. I plan to remove the positive bus bar connecting all the positive inputs together, and use 2 different AC sources distributed to 3 devices.
My question is about how to handle the neutrals and grounds.
The ultimate goal is:
Breaker 1 = [Input]: Shore Power - [Output]: AC/DC Battery Charger
Breaker 2 = [Input]: Shore Power - [Output]: Inverter
Breaker 3 = [Input]: Inverter - [Output]: Outlets
My initial thought was to tie in all neutrals from every source / destination onto the neutral busbar within the panel. Same for the grounds to the ground busbar.
However I'm concerned that may cause issues if shore power is plugged in AND the inverter is running. Even though the positives will be isolated, they'll essentially be coming together where the neutrals meet.
Alternatively, I could just use the neutral bus bar for the inputs and outputs from Shore Power only, and wire the neutral of my outlets directly to the output of the inverter. (Or the opposite; wire the neutral / ground of the inverter and outlets to the bus bar, and not the shore power neutral / ground). Are there any drawbacks to this? Does the breaker (not GFCI) need to read or sense what's happening with the neutral or ground for any reason?
To break this scenario down a little, it would be like starting with an outlet with Positive, Neutral, and Ground all wired directly into the inverter, then cutting the positive wire and inserting a breaker. No reason for that breaker to interact with the neutral or ground at all correct? Or am I thinking in DC fuse/breaker terms too much.
If it's fine for breakers and the panel to be completely isolated from their respective neutrals / grounds, then perhaps it would be best to just ignore the ground / neutral bus bars on the blue sea panel entirely (except for grounding the actual panel it's self).
To make things more interesting (or possibly less interesting): The 3000w Renogy Inverter has a "UPS Transfer Switch" that should bypass the inverter and send shore power directly to the inverter's output if it detects power from the grid. The manual claims this happens within 20ms. I'm thinking this feature really eliminates the issue I'm concerned with, but would prefer to not rely on it functioning properly 100% of the time.
Hopefully my thoughts are coming through clearly and someone with knowledge and experience can let me know their thoughts.
I'll try to include some wiring diagrams for clarification. The DC side will be simplified for this question. The actual system will have solar, mppt, dc dc charger from starter battery, and other DC Loads.
Thanks!
