Page 23
AC output connections
The inverter uses (2) NEMA 5-20R receptacles for connecting the AC output to devices
and appliances fitted with a NEMA 5-20P or NEMA 5-15P plug. In these NEMA 5-20R
receptacles, 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 these NEMA 5-20R receptacles, the current carrying conductor connected
to the T-type of 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 T-type of slot is not
grounded to the earth ground. The T-type of 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.
Built in 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.
The AC output to the 2 NEMA 5-20R receptacles is fed through a built-in GFCI. The
GFCI will shut down the AC ouput if it detects any leakage current >5 mA
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.
