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Old 08-31-2018, 10:43 PM   #7
Maerin
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City: East Coast
Vessel Name: M/V Maerin (Sold)
Vessel Model: Solo 4303
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 886
Generators and inverters should both be grounded to the boat's ground when they're producing power, as well as the neutral-ground conductors bonded. This doesn't occur during shore power operation, the ground then is through the shore power cord and back to the source (the pedestal). There's probably less risk from the on-board generated power by virtue of the circuit being more contained to the vessel, but there's still risk. Not all inverters provide that bonding, marine inverters must meet UL 458, which has to do with the bonding. Many DIY boaters use inexpensive inverters that don't meet that standard, and the risk of leakage & electrical current exposure in the water is more likely. As others have posted, freshwater presents the greatest potential risk. The danger is not so much from electrocution, but from electric shock drowning. If you become part of the circuit, current passing through the body won't kill you, but it causes muscle paralysis, so you can't swim, you can't breathe, and you can't call for help. You drown. Still, a moot point. Dead is dead. But think twice about jumping in the water to rescue someone who is in trouble and appears paralyzed.


The new ground fault protection that NEC requires on new marina wiring is intended to reduce the risk. If you ever plug into one and it trips, your boat has an electrical leak or fault that should be corrected. Soon. If you have an inverter installed, your potential for a fault is higher. An ABYC electrician or corrosion control tech has the skills to test your boat for leakage and correct it. Leakage problems can exist undetected. There may be no indications of a problem at all until you either have it tested or plug into a shore power pedestal with the updated wiring and the ground fault breakers. Either way, a marina is not someplace to go for a swim.
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