Well, guys, here's an interesting topic. It raised its head because in our new van, I wanted to run the refrigerator off an inverted 240V supply so that the thermostat worked, and I was told that this was illegal in NSW.
So I got to researching and I can't find the legislation that disallows the use of an inverter in a towed vehicle that is in motion. If anyone knows where this regulation is I'd really appreciated being pointed in its direction.
What I HAVE found is a LOT of people doing it, and a LOT of people doing it the WRONG way.
The big trouble with inverted power supplies is the lack of residual current protection. If you have TWO earthed devices plugged into a single inverter and each device has a fault or a connection that brings part of its body into contact with that power, AND a human touches the two devices, they are electrocuted.
The problem exists (this is my understanding which may be slightly inaccurate but from what I've been reading it's close) because the earth point of one device feeds back to the inverter and out to the second device. This allows a circuit to develop where, given the faults, a full 240V can be developed across the two devices. A human bridging that gap dies. If some flammable or ignitable material bridges the gap there is a risk of fire.
Put plainly and simply, it is dangerous to put two EARTHED 240V devices on the same inverter.
This DOES mean that it is quite safe to use a SINGLE device on the inverter, and from what I can tell, you can do that while on the move. A corollary would be that you could use two unearthed devices, or an earthed device and an unearthed device if you wish.
Looking at the power requirements of the new van, I'm going to take up someone's offer of cheap heavy gauge cable. I've gotta do some thread searching to find who it was (the old grey matter has lost this info in the fog) so when I find ya, expect a pm. I'm going to run fresh cables from engine bay to tow hitch, then put some really heavy connectors on and run new cable down through the chassis of the new van into the cupboard near the fridge.
Naturally, if there is a law that says I can't have ONE device on an inverter while moving, I won't do it.
So, can anyone shed some light on this legislation?
So I got to researching and I can't find the legislation that disallows the use of an inverter in a towed vehicle that is in motion. If anyone knows where this regulation is I'd really appreciated being pointed in its direction.
What I HAVE found is a LOT of people doing it, and a LOT of people doing it the WRONG way.
The big trouble with inverted power supplies is the lack of residual current protection. If you have TWO earthed devices plugged into a single inverter and each device has a fault or a connection that brings part of its body into contact with that power, AND a human touches the two devices, they are electrocuted.
The problem exists (this is my understanding which may be slightly inaccurate but from what I've been reading it's close) because the earth point of one device feeds back to the inverter and out to the second device. This allows a circuit to develop where, given the faults, a full 240V can be developed across the two devices. A human bridging that gap dies. If some flammable or ignitable material bridges the gap there is a risk of fire.
Put plainly and simply, it is dangerous to put two EARTHED 240V devices on the same inverter.
This DOES mean that it is quite safe to use a SINGLE device on the inverter, and from what I can tell, you can do that while on the move. A corollary would be that you could use two unearthed devices, or an earthed device and an unearthed device if you wish.
Looking at the power requirements of the new van, I'm going to take up someone's offer of cheap heavy gauge cable. I've gotta do some thread searching to find who it was (the old grey matter has lost this info in the fog) so when I find ya, expect a pm. I'm going to run fresh cables from engine bay to tow hitch, then put some really heavy connectors on and run new cable down through the chassis of the new van into the cupboard near the fridge.
Naturally, if there is a law that says I can't have ONE device on an inverter while moving, I won't do it.
So, can anyone shed some light on this legislation?