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Eaton 1250W / 1500W / 1800W Inverter Operation and Installation Guide
IM SP180164 / Rev D www.eaton.com
Definitions
Generator –
The inverter is capable of handling most generators that produce nominal 115Vac, 60Hz sine wave AC power.
The current limit for DC charging is programmable between 2A-40A, therefore use a generator which will provide sufficient
power to satisfy charging requirements.
AC disconnect and over-current protection device –
The inverter is required by safety and electrical codes to have
AC and DC input/output over- current protection (i.e. circuit breakers and/or fuses), as well as disconnect devices. The follow-
ing are suggested protective measures for each configuration:
AC input:
The branch fuse or branch circuit breaker (hard wired) used on the source of the inverter must be rated no less
than 15A or no more than 30A and must also be approved for use on 115Vac systems. The wire used between the breaker
and the inverter needs to be sized accordingly to pass the same amount of current rated for the fuse.
AC output:
The fuse or circuit breaker on the output should not be rated any higher than that of the input. The wire
between the inverter and the AC output breaker should be rated to carry the amount of current rated for the fuse. Any sub-
sequent wiring from this output breaker to the loads must be sized accordingly for the current being passed to each indi-
vidual load. 1000 Watt models feature an integrated 15 Amp AC output breaker while 1800 Watt models feature an integrated
20 Amp AC output breaker.
Disconnect devices –
Each fuse or breaker system requires a method for disconnecting. If the devices used are circuit
breakers, these will serve as the disconnects. If they are fuses, separate AC disconnect switches will be necessary ahead of
the fuses; these switches will be a branch circuit with proper current characteristics and rated to 120Vac.
AC distribution panels –
A usual system will incorporate distribution centers ahead of the inverter and between the
inverter and the loads (AC load panel). AC source panels will include a main circuit breaker, serving as the over-current protec-
tion and the disconnect switch for the AC power supply. AC load panels can utilize an AC output circuit breaker, and breakers
for each subsequent load circuit.
AC cabling –
AC cabling includes but is not limited to all wires/cables between the AC source and the inverter, and all the
cabling between the inverter and AC outputs (panels, circuit breakers, and loads). Wiring type and size varies with installation
and load. Installation codes will recommend solid or stranded wires, overall size of conductors, and type/temperature ratings
of insulation around the wire.
Ensure AC breakers and fuses are sized appropriately for current, insulation for voltage, and ambient temperature ratings.
Table 19 gives examples of wiring sizes based on the breaker rating. Examples are based on use with a 2-conductor-plus-
ground (3-prong) cable rated at 75°C.
AC output neutral bonding –
AC input neutral and output neutral must be isolated from each other. This being noted,
the neutral conductor of the inverter AC output circuit (i.e. AC output neutral) is automatically connected to the safety ground
during inverter operation. When using an AC utility power source and the inverter is in charging mode, this connection is not
present.
DC cabling –
DC cabling includes but is not limited to all cables and connectors between the batteries, the DC disconnect
and breakers/fuses, and the inverter. Heavy truck or RV installations normally require multi-strand, insulated cables for flexibil-
ity and durability; they also usually require over-current protection devices. DC cables must be copper and must be rated to
at least 75°C. The cables should also terminate with lugs that fit the DC stud terminals on the inverter (m8 x 1.25). Choosing
small cables may result in unsatisfactory device functionality.
DC disconnects and over-current devices –
The DC system from the inverter to the battery must be equipped with
an over-current device and disconnect. Typically this consists of a separate fuse with a DC disconnect. The rating size of the
cables must match rating of fuses. Fuse and disconnect should be situated as close as possible to the battery, on the posi-
tive cable.
Batteries –
The inverter sources input power from a 12VDC deep cycle or dual purpose batteries. The inverter converts the
12VDC input power to 115VAC output.