Wiring in an inverter

200W aircon?

.
Hmmm, massive system for a cool breeze, but your choice.

If your "marine sparkie" is conversant with the appropriate regulations and suitably qualified then you would do best to ask him the question, not seek the advice of unqualified persons here.

.
Well Bungarra,.......I'll tell you what's wrong with "simply plugging into the three pin plug on the inverter with a heavy extension lead and feeding into the rear of a std 240 outlet in the popup?" It is not in accordance with the Wiring Rules and is possibly unsafe, that's what's wrong.

You may not "see any difference" but that is because you are not skilled as an electrician.
However, it is not for me to 'educate' you here. Just take my word for it...... it is different and illegal.

Bzzz! Bzzzzz! Bzzz!

I can see someone get zapped following that logic.

Cheers

Anthony

Bungarra, are you suggesting a male plug to male plug - plugging into the output of the inverter and then the first GPO???

Unfortunately some tradesmen did this on a house once and the poor unsuspecting sparky didn't go home to his family that day, when he went to wire the switchboard he was electrocuted, please do not do this.

From his description it sounds more like male into inverter - bare wires hard wired into the rear of the plug.

Problem is, what happens when the mains power and inverter power try to work together? Also, what happens when you forget to turn of the inverter (or mains) and power continues to run through the circuit?

My trailer has three different power circuits 12 volt, 240 volt inverted and 240 volt mains. Each is completely independent of the other (seperate circuit breakers, power points and switches).

That is the only way to do it - each circuit completely seperate and suitably protected.

Cheers

Anthony

.
Anthony,

Your trailer wiring arrangement is an excellent way of doing it....... having separate power points for inverter and mains.
There are more complex change-over systems to share the outlets but you way is safer, cheaper, and really no less convenient.

Thanks Allan

I went with a very simple system so that it has built in redundancy. That is if the inverter dies, I can connect up the generator likewise if the 12 volt dies.

Mains power points are white, inverter power points are black so they can't be confused.

It does add some more weight (with extra wire, breakers and powerpoints etc) but I know the power system is100% safe.

One thing that shocked me (no pun intended) when fitting the system - the factory fitted powerpoints were not double pole and it had been certified by the factory in house electrician. I also put all wire in convolute tubing as it ran around the trailer - it is amazing how much chaffing there was on brand new wiring.

One day the industry will be regulated and have a common set of standards. I know ther are some standards that must be followed (gas, electrical) but once the walls go up and the certification plate goes on - a Miriam of sins are hidden.

Cheers

Anthony

.
Yes, it's a poor show when a caravan or trailer is not supplied fitted with double-pole outlets as this has been required since AS3001 was introduced in 2008.
The fact that double-pole are somewhat more expensive than single-pole may have something to do with it. But it makes one wonder what other corners may have been cut by the manufacturer. And whether the person doing the wiring is properly qualified and cognisant with the regulations.

I thought that there were constructive expressions being made, but with the magnitude of the proposed system and allusions to wiring to fixed outlet sockets there was some justification to voice warnings.

agree wholeheartedly with the warnings as they were justified, some of the comments were purely negative, pardon the pun.