Solar Guy Richard
Solar Addict
You can. Whatever you use, they ALL need to be connected. Whether you drive your own rod or some other means.So of I build a stand along system I would use grounding rod for the ground
You can. Whatever you use, they ALL need to be connected. Whether you drive your own rod or some other means.So of I build a stand along system I would use grounding rod for the ground
This is also a true statementFYI: the input and output ground terminals, in the inverter. Are for chasis grounding, and carrying the ground on through to the loads.
All? All house and inverter grounds?You can. Whatever you use, they ALL need to be connected. Whether you drive your own rod or some other means.
Let me start with : I’m not a licensed electrician. That being said, most connected systems share a common ground.All? All house and inverter grounds?
I am a licensed Electrician.All? All house and inverter grounds?
Thats what I was thinking, just wasn't sure if I should use panel ground or separate earth ground if I made it put to be a solar generator with no ties to my houseI am a licensed Electrician.
Yes
Yes
Yes
All grounds MUST be connected together.
It's connected to your house, as soon as you plug the cords in.Thats what I was thinking, just wasn't sure if I should use panel ground or separate earth ground if I made it put to be a solar generator with no ties to my house
I'm so terrible at explaining things, so if I wired it to a transfer switch to my house I would use my house ground through the transfer switch, but if I build it as a power source that has no connection to my house I would need a ground rod separate from my house ground? Was thinking that I could get a small breaker panel and some 15 amp breakers and wire some outlets to the panel and mount it all on some concrete board and just use cords to power appliances as neededIt's connected to your house, as soon as you plug the cords in.
It's connected to your house, as soon as you plug the cords in.
In that case, you can use a separate ground rod.I'm so terrible at explaining things, so if I wired it to a transfer switch to my house I would use my house ground through the transfer switch, but if I build it as a power source that has no connection to my house I would need a ground rod separate from my house ground? Was thinking that I could get a small breaker panel and some 15 amp breakers and wire some outlets to the panel and mount it all on some concrete board and just use cords to power appliances as needed
My plan is hooking to the house but I might need to use cords until I get the transfer switch done, just want to get things running and update as I go.In that case, you can use a separate ground rod.
But, I would still connect it to the existing grounding system. Especially since, you will be running extention cords (which I wouldn't recommend), throughout the house.
Thank you for taking time to be very detailed and easy to understand, I would like to use my transfer switch but like another member said, it has a bridged input and output neutral, im still reading and learning all of these fine details to electricalIf the inverter does not bond neutral and ground in both bypass and inverter modes, then it is a non-separately derived system and can be treated the same as a generator that does not bond neutral and ground.
This means
You should be able to use the Reliance transfer switch that I think you talked about in a different thread since it requires a source that does not have neutral and ground bonded. Your MWBCs will need to be connected to 240V breakers so you will need two inverters in parallel.
If you use the inverter completely standalone, wired to outlets and using extension cords, you will need to create a neutral-ground bond for ground fault clearing. The easiest way to do that is have a small panel with some breakers for your outlets and a neutral-ground bond in the panel. I am not sure in this case if you should connect the inverter to your house ground, a grounding rod, both, or neither since you are using it as a completely separate system (the same as a standalone generator).
It gets a little more complicated if you plug the AC input into a house outlet for charging but I think in that case, the inverter would be considered an appliance, like one of those BLUETTI power stations. Unfortunately, you may create an objectionable current path since you will have a N/G bond in your main panel and in your extension cord panel. You may want to use a standalone battery charger and not use the inverter AC inputs at all. Tim can probably advise better.
Absolutely correct.Unfortunately, you may create an objectionable current path since you will have a N/G bond in your main panel and in your extension cord panel. You may want to use a standalone battery charger and not use the inverter AC inputs at all.
If you don't connect the inverter input to your house, you can absolutely use the transfer panel.Thank you for taking time to be very detailed and easy to understand, I would like to use my transfer switch but like another member said, it has a bridged input and output neutral, im still reading and learning all of these fine details to electrical
Bridged neutral only if you use AC input. If you use a separate charger, you don't need to worry about it.Thank you for taking time to be very detailed and easy to understand, I would like to use my transfer switch but like another member said, it has a bridged input and output neutral, im still reading and learning all of these fine details to electrical
So I know its not proper or probably safe but if I used a 2 prong cord would that get rid of the objectionable path?Absolutely correct.
Bridged neutral on the transfer switch or in general?Bridged neutral only if you use AC input. If you use a separate charger, you don't need to worry about it.
But if I choose to use a whole house transfer switch I could use the AC input and be fine?If you don't connect the inverter input to your house, you can absolutely use the transfer panel.
As long as it's a completely separate system. (Other than grounding)