ztristanmathisn
19.06.2021 19:08:21
Here are some resources I've used for putting this article together:
See full version: Electrical Grounding on Boats and RVs
Here are some resources I've used for putting this article together:
I hope this was a helpful overview. Please remind yourself that the grounding could be very hazardous both on AC and DC side. Unless you are absolutely certain of what you are doing, consult to an electrician when wiring your electrical system.
The AC ground and grounding systems are "free floating," meaning that they do not ground on the vessel, but only to shore. The (ii) AC ground, or neutral, is a current carrying conductor, and could be the source of many troubles because it's not actually the grounding. The (iii) AC grounding, bond or green wire is the "safety" intended to channel current safely to ground in the event of a short circuit. Both of these circuits are capable of conducting current and can result in electrolysis on a boat when there are system faults with the dock or marina wiring.
The battery is the only point where the (i) DC side is grounded. It is also a "free floating" system in which nothing is ever grounded to any metallic part of the vessel, especially not the bonding system. Just like a car sitting on rubber tires, completely insulated from earth potential, the battery itself provides the negative potential. more
The (iv) bonding system, also green wire, has nothing to do with electrical systems. Underwater metals are simply wired together to equalize differences in potential of different kinds of metal. Nothing should ever be grounded to the bonding system. The (iii) bonding system -or the common grounding system- may be a bus bar with a strip with screws or clamps. It may be a grounding wire running from the bow or the stern, hidden somewhere behind a panel and it will connect to (iv) the vessel's bonding system which could be the keel or a metal strip on the hull. Your boat's manual will provide the location. more
Grounding of an RV and a boat are almost the same. The only difference is on the (i) DC ground where the negative DC wires could be directly connected to the chasis of the vehicle rather than connecting via a wire. In this case, the common grounding wire is the chassis. [links]
3. Do Boat Batteries Need to be Grounded? more
Most boat owners don’t know how to wire their own boat, and they shouldn’t have to. Furthermore, doing it yourself could be incredibly dangerous! here
Here are 7 answers about boats and grounding:
Boat batteries are the primary connection used in a DC grounding system on your vessel. more
11.17.4.1.3 Static Electricity Grounding - See E-11.16.2.3, ABYC H-24,Gasoline Fuel Systems, and ABYC H-33, Diesel Fuel Systems.
11.4.9 DC Grounded Conductor - a current carrying conductor connected to the side of the power source that is intentionally maintained at boat ground potential. more
11.4.1 AC grounded conductor
See the diagram below: Click on it to Enlarge.
ABYC has anticipated combining DC Grounding systems and Bonding systems. In E-11 it says: [links]
Lightning protection system: The lightning protection system is also connected to the engine negative terminal. But when making connections for the Lightning Protection system care must be taken to follow the instructions in ABYC TE-4 Lightning Protection. ABYC www.abycinc.org. [links]
Question: What is meant by -All circuits on an aluminum boat must have a positive ground, and what is the difference between a positive ground and negative ground.
Tanz
Silvertip, I understand the motor is grounded to the hull (and water) and that all ground leads should return to the neg side of the battery (or battery switch). I'm not clear on whether your saying that the abovementioned practice of grounding the battery is acceptable or not. (By my way of thinking, that would cause a current path from that location and invite galvanic corrosion. i.e. I would guess that the battery should be isolated from any direct path to the hull.) Yes/no?? more
Plus it would seem to me that on an outboard powered boat the metal of the engine is already in direct contact with the hull. The negative and positive from the battery go to the outboard, and inside the engine the negative is connected to the metal casing of the engine (thus also connected to the hull). So why a redundant wire connecting the negative to the hull?