[C320-list] Grounding and Bonding

[Kaare Wold]

Thanks you for your reply.  I need to dig into the manual and or contact the 
manufacturer to learn more about the function and operation of the galvanic 
isolator.
Kaare Wold
Sheet Music  #945
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 10:56 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Grounding and Bonding


>I am a curious person and in no way an engineer of any sort. I rely on
> others with vastly more knowledge and experience than I.  My main boating
> source is "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual," 3rd edition, by
> Nigel Calder.  You can find this in any boat store or on Amazon.com.  For
> me, it is an indispensible reference.
>
> That said, the whole subject of AC onboard boats is a complicated subject
> and one that is not well understood even by some "experts," certainly not
> me.  Nigel makes it clear that the AC-to-DC common ground does not solve 
> all
> problems; but, it is better than the alternatives.  The following is 
> without
> regard to whether a galvanic isolator, isolation transformer, GFCB, GFCI, 
> or
> xxyz is installed:
> "...it is a DAD IDEA (emphasis his) to break the AC-to-DC ground
> connection.  If this is done, protection against ground faults, 
> particularly
> for swimmer in the water, becomes dependent on the proper operation of the
> (device)..."  He goes on to talk about the failure rate of various 
> devices.
>
> So, there you have it.  What the devices don't protect against is their 
> own
> failure, and failure of other equipment and wires onboard that can allow
> current to get to where we don't want it to go.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kaare Wold [mailto:sailor3952 at charter.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 5:29 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Grounding and Bonding
>
> Pardon my ignorance, but isn't this the function of the galvanic isolator?
> There is one installed on our boat, Sheet Music.   Being new to our boat,
> hull 945, (and this great group)  it was my understanding that this device
> protects you from neighboring stray current.  I have to admit (being a
> welding engineer) that my knowledge of technical electrical systems is
> limited.  Thanks for any education on the subject.
> Kaare & Mary Wold
> Sheet Music,  #945
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
> To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 4:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Grounding and Bonding
>
>
>> I've checked the wiring diagrams in my owner's manual, and they don't
>> indicate a cross-connect between the AC ground and DC negative busses.
>> Nigel Calder's book, "Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual,"
>> 3rd edition, has very extensive coverage on the subject.
>>
>> This is most important for boats that sit in a slip connected to shore
>> power.  Even with AC power on the boat turned off, you can still be a
>> victim of galvanic corrosion or worse from neighboring boats.
>>
>> It's not an easy subject to understand; but, there are years of
>> experience behind the ABYC recommendation to tie the AC ground to the DC
> negative.
>>
>> Warren & Pattie Updike
>> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jerry Mickelson [mailto:jerrymick320 at comcast.net]
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 3:25 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Grounding and Bonding
>>
>> Warren,
>> If I remember correctly, I do not think my were and I connected the
>> two negative buss bars behind the electrical panel.  Will check for
>> sure next time I am down to the boat.
>> Jerry
>> 1994 #118
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>