[C320-list] Red Reverse Polarity light on panel

[Scott Thompson]

David,

Even if the wires are not reversed you can get this signal if the ground 
or neutral wires are unreliable. "Polarity reversed" just means that 
there is a voltage differential between neutral and ground at the boat. 
They are supposed to be tied together back at the breaker panel on shore 
(not on the dock or on the boat), so there should be no voltage 
difference. However if either wire has a bad connection between the boat 
and the house then there may be a voltage differential between the 
neutral and ground wires at the boat.

Whatever the cause, I would call your electrician back.

Scott



On 11/14/2021 1:44 PM, Ade Bateman wrote:
> I'm not sure why the red light didn't come on immediately, but this light is intended to signal that the live and neutral wires coming into the shore power connector are the wrong way around (which could indicate here that the electrician wired them backwards). This can be especially dangerous because it can make parts of the system live that would otherwise be disconnected by a switch in the live wire. It can also create dangerous conditions depending upon how the ground and earth are wired. I've seen various posts here indicating that different 320's are wired differently in this respect so I wouldn't assume any particular configuration. This can result in some metal items onboard being connected to the live wire.
>
> In short, disconnecting immediately is the right thing to do (not just turning off the power) and next you need an electrician to diagnose the issue.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of David Nolte
> Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2021 8:28 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Red Reverse Polarity light on panel
>
> We had an electrician run a new 30 amp line down to the dock so we could charge the boats’ batteries. After he finished the job I plugged in and flipped to shore power. The Green light came on and I left. I came back a few days later and the Red light below the Green shore power indicator was on. The Red light is a caution light thats says Reverse Polarity, and to turn off the power, which I did.
>
> What is going on here? How can I fix it?
>
> Thanks!
>
> David Nolte
> Beach House 0004
>
>

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653