I am wiring up a easysolar-ll GX with an exteral socket to occasionally connect an unearthed generator as needed (hopefully not often!)
The cable from the genny will NOT be connected all the time so I know when it is not connected the earth-neutral bond will be created by the victron via its chassis earth and passed through in effect, to the AC consumer unit and RCD MCB etc etc etc
So the actual question is - when the generator IS connected (remembering that it is unearthed) will the victron READ the NO EARTH and shunt its neutral to chassis earth OR will the fact that there is a Live and Neutral connected to the ACin cause the victron to ‘assume’ incoming earth and NOT connect its chassis to neutral leaving me with no earth AND no earth neutral bond?
Now I realise there are 2 questions - sorry
If I earth the generator with an earth rod and bring that earth to the Victron so I have L PE N on the ACin will the victron still provide the earth-neutral bond internally between the incoming PE and N?? or does the victron assume an incoming AC is ALREADY earth-neutral bonded and to stick to the ONLY ONE BOND rule keeps its internal earth and neutral disconnected?
I say a big thank you inadvance for any help anyone can give
You even have to earth the generator so that the residual current circuit breakers work in generator mode.
The connection from N to PE … the earthing relay only comes into operation when you switch to inverter operation.
hi steffan
Thanks for the reply
ok - so i can earth the input of the ACin from an earth rod no problem
so you are saying that when ANY AC connection is connected the victron does NOT connect N to PE?
You should ground on the generator AND the multi side … the more earthing, the better the discharge values for the use of the residual current or overcurrent circuit breaker.
The N and PE are ALWAYS separated in mains AND generator operation.
Only when the multi goes into inverter mode does it disconnect the mains and internally connect N and PE to a PEN …
You can deactivate this function, but this is of no interest to you.
It will be crucial for you to get the generator running on the AC In.
It is also important that you do not just ground the generator. The generator should also have an earth connection …
You can make a local MEN connection in the consumer unit. Just understand if you are not using a generator without a floating neutural and it has an RCD with is own MEN connection you will need to disconnect the MEN in the consumer unit or the genrator RCD will trip. Its easy enough to know if its working because you can hit the test button and it should trip. Hope that helps.
The earth stake should be where the MEN is. If you make the MEN in the consumer unit the generator will not need an earth stake. You dont want more than 1.
Good morning Owen and Steffan
Thank you for the replys
So I can disable the earth switch to neutral in the victron?
This seems like the best option then for me
Then I can make my own connection in the distribution panel (only one N PE connection) and as long as the generator doesnt have this internally, then whether I connect the generator or not this would mean I always have the earth neutral bond and the earth rod can then be near the victron, batteries and distribution panel by the house (the generator is situated over 50 meters away for various reasons and is used for other functions on the land as well as backup power for the solar system).
I appreciate your replys and thank you both
Regards
Mark1
REPEAT: The connection N PE … called earth relay is ONLY activated and connected if you are working in inverter mode via battery. If you deactivate it now, your residual current circuit breakers will no longer work in emergency operation via battery …
hi steffan
if i create the N PE connection in the distribution box and obv have a decent earthing set up and earth road
the RCD will work with either generator or pv as the fault loop circuit will be in the distribution box and will protect all AC circuits in my house
I didnt know i could disable the earth neutral relay which helps me so much thank you
regards
mark1
It makes no sense to connect the N and PE yourself … again … Why do you want to do that?
The generator sends L, N and PE (earthing)
If your generator already has residual current protection, it will trip immediately if you connect the N and PE in the house yourself.
Any residual current device that is BEFORE your connection of N and PE will trip … that’s what they are there for.
