Figure 15, Multiple Point Ground System; Figure 16, Single Point Ground System - Xantrex 120 VAC/60 Owner's Manual

Sw series inverter/chargers

Table of Contents

GROUNDING VS. LIGHTNING

This information is intended to provide basic grounding techniques that will help prevent inverter damage

due to lightning. It is not intended to be a complete course on grounding or a guarantee against protection

during a lightning strike situation. The NEC is the ultimate authority as to legitimate grounding techniques

for your electrical system.

If an electrical system has components grounded at different points in the earth, large voltage differences

will exist between these points during a lightning strike (See Figure 15). If this voltage appears between

the AC and DC side of the inverter, it will fail. All Trace™ inverters are designed to withstand a minimum

of 1750 volts between AC and ground, and 500 volts between DC and ground.

ONE GROUND FOR ALL EQUIPMENT

The first step in inverter protection is to make sure that all equipment in the system is physically

grounded at the same location. This assures that there is no voltage potential between grounds in the

system (See Figure 15 and Figure 16). No voltage means no current flow through the system.

Practically speaking, this would mean connecting the generator and battery grounds together, as well

as the case or "safety" grounds in the system, and then attaching all to the same earth grounding rod

(See the NEC for specific information on grounding requirements, and hardware).

In severe conditions, the generator frame should physically be isolated from the earth by a wood

frame or some other insulating means. This assures that the single point ground system is

maintained.

KEEP EQUIPMENT CLOSE TOGETHER

All equipment involved in a system should physically be located as close as possible to one another.

This reduces the potential that is developed between the ground site and the individual components of

the system during a lightning strike. This single point grounding greatly reduces the potential for

lightning damage to electrical equipment.

If you are unable to achieve single-point grounding due to large distances between equipment or other

variables, other means of lightning protection must be considered. Consult a reputable lightning

protection company.

Equipment acts as a

conductor due to

voltage between the

grounds. Bad!

Lightning

Strike

GENERATOR

Generator

Inverter

Ground

Voltage

Difference