Page 23
AC output connections
The inverter uses NEMA 5-15R receptacle for connecting the AC output to devices
and appliances fitted with a NEMA 5-15P plug. In this NEMA 5-15 R receptacle, two
rectangular slots are connected to the current-carrying conductors of the AC power
source inside the inverter. The round slot is the “equipment grounding” connection
and is internally connected to the metal chassis of the inverter.
CAUTION!
In this NEMA 5-15R receptacle, the current carrying conductor connected
to the longer rectangular slot is isolated from the metal chassis of the
inverter. Hence, when the metal chassis of the inverter is connected to the
earth ground, the longer rectangular slot is not grounded to the earth
ground. The longer rectangular slot is, therefore, not a “neutral”. Do not
touch this slot as it will be at an elevated voltage with respect to the metal
chassis / earth ground and may produce an electrical shock when touched.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
An un-intentional electric path between a source of current and a grounded surface
is referred to as a "ground fault". Ground faults occur when current is leaking
somewhere. In effect, electricity is escaping to the ground. How it leaks is very
imporant. If your body provides a path to the ground for this leakage you could be
injured, burned, severely shocked or electrocuted. A GFCI protects people from electric
shock by detecting leakage and cutting off the AC source.
Installation in recreation vehicles (RV) may require GFCI protection on the AC output.
In addition, electrical codes may require GFCI protection for certan residential
applications.
There is no internal GFCI protection in these inverters. If required, this protection may
be provided externally by the user / installer.
Grounding to earth or to other designated ground
Please see details regarding grounding under “
AC Power Distribution and Grounding”
on page 9.
For safety, the metal chassis of the inverter is required to be grounded to the earth
ground or to the other designated ground (For example, in a mobile RV, the metal
frame of the RV is normally designated as the negative DC ground). An equipment
grounding bolt with a wing nut has been provided for grounding the metal chassis of
the inverter to the appropriate ground.
When using the inverter in a building , connect a # 8 AWG insulated stranded copper
wire from the above equipment grounding bolt to the earth ground connection
(a connection that connects to the ground rod or to the water pipe or to another
connection that is solidly bonded to the earth ground). The connections must be tight
against bare metal. Use star washers to penetrate paint and corrosion.
When using the inverter in a mobile RV, connect a # 8 AWG insulated stranded copper
wire from the above equipment grounding bolt to the appropriate ground bus of the
RV (usually the vehicle chassis or a dedicated DC ground bus). The connections must be
tight against bare metal. Use star washers to penetrate paint and corrosion.
