How To Ground An Inverter In An RV (8 Steps)

List of Best Solar Panels

It is of critical importance that the inverter in an RV be correctly grounded to prevent the risk of electrocution of the inhabitants. The RV system may be an off-grid system or have the option of connecting to shore power (grid-tied), and it is important to note that both scenarios present the risk of fatal electrocution.

The inverter grounding wire to the grounding point must be of the same gauge or thicker than the battery wire. The grounding wire must be securely connected to the RV chassis using a bolt-on connection. Always follow the instruction of the inverter manufacturer on how to ground the inverter.

RV Inverters must be correctly and securely grounded to the chassis for the following reasons:

  • Protecting the RV appliances from power surges;
  • Grounding directs power to the AC appliances by reducing the potential of reverse current;
  • Grounding stabilizes the inverter output voltage;
  • Prevents the inhabitants of the RV from injury, fire, or electrocution.

Let’s review the electrical systems in an RV and discuss how to ground the RV inverter properly.

Power Outlet On The Side Of An Rv
Power Outlet On The Side Of An Rv
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Does An RV Need To Be Grounded?

An RV does need to be grounded in some way. Failing to ground an RV will cause a condition known as ‘hot skin.’ This means that in the event of a short circuit in the RV, the metallic skin of the RV will become charged.

If someone touches the RV, they will complete the circuit between the RV skin through the person’s body to the ground. The current flowing can be sufficient to cause a fatal shock.

Grounding an RV can be achieved in several ways. The electrical outlets at campsites are already grounded inside the plug you use for the electrical hookup.

Make sure that the electrical connection point provided by the campsite is in good working order by testing it using a multi-meter.

RV campers can be hard on the electrical outlets and often force their plugs into the electrical connection point, causing the ground pin to break off, resulting in defective protection.

Off-grid power systems using an inverter must have a grounding wire installed from the inverter to the RV chassis.

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Carefully follow the inverter installation manual and ensure that the grounding wire is of sufficient gauge and securely connected.

RV Electrical Systems And Their Grounding

An RV has three distinct electrical systems to power the vehicle and the coach accommodation space. The vehicle has a 12V automotive system used to power the starter motor and charges the 12V lead-acid battery and other DC loads relating to the vehicle.

The RV coach typically has a 12V DC system to power small DC loads and a 120V AC system to power the AC appliances in the coach.

The 120V AC can be provided via a power inverter that draws DC from house batteries and converts it to alternating current (AC) to power the appliances running on AC power.

Shore Power Connection

Most RVs are also fitted with a shore power connection point to plug the RV into grid-powered connection outlets available at most camping grounds and trailer parks. The RV AC systems are 30A or 50A systems.

Commercially sold RVs are fitted with a circuit breaker connection to prevent overloading the electrical system and causing damage to the components and appliances of the RV.

For true off-grid-camping, solar power generation to charge the house bank battery or a portable fuel-powered generator is possible.

Whether you are off-grid or grid-tied, the potential of electrical shocks and overloads necessitate the proper grounding of the coach electrical system.

Cables Grounded
Cables Grounded

Steps To Grounding an Inverter To An RV

  1. The inverter must be installed in a location that is close to the coach battery bank and the shore power connection point.
  2. The installation point must be cool and dry and have sufficient ventilation to allow for sufficient inverter cooling.
  3. The inverter must also allow for easy access to monitor or service the inverter and should have a visual display inside the coach displaying the battery state of charge and power draw on the inverter plus any error messages or alarm lights.
  4. The inverter must be securely fastened to prevent it from coming loose during travel. Ensure that there is some redundancy in your method of fastening. If one bolt breaks, another should hold.
  5. The wire gauge of the battery connection cables must be thick enough to comfortably cope with the current drawn from the batteries to the inverter.
  6. The positive terminal of the inverter must be connected to the positive terminal on the battery bank, and the negative terminal on the inverter must be connected to the negative terminal on the battery.
  7. A grounding wire with the same wire gauge as the battery connection cables must be securely connected to the RV chassis via a bolt-on connection.
  8. The grounding wire must be securely connected to the inverter grounding connection point.
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All the components of your RV power system will require a single common grounding point on the chassis of the RV. The solar panel, battery bank, and inverter need to be connected to this single grounding point.

Check that the grounding wire connections and the battery cable connections are secure and will not rattle loose during travel.

RV Inverter Installation Advice

If you do not have experience with electricity, get a qualified electrical technician to help you with the installation. Incorrectly installed components and wiring can lead to costly failures and potentially cause a high risk of fire or electrocution.

Watch some installation videos on YouTube to help you decide on the size of the inverter and battery bank and where to install it. Get some advice from other RV owners or electrical system installers before buying any hardware.

If you feel capable of doing the inverter installation and wiring to the RV coach electrical distribution panel yourself, read the inverter manufacturer installation guide well.

Plan Battery/Inverter/Ground Connections

Draw out your wiring plan and determine the right size copper gauge wire to connect the battery to the inverter and ground the inverter to the RV metal chassis.

Do not wire your RV to have shore power and inverter power feeding the AC power outlets in the RV simultaneously, leading to a disastrous outcome. Do not run your inverter and DC to DC converter simultaneously, which will drain the battery bank very fast.

The shore power connection on your RV will be wired to connect to the grounding of the campground electrical pylon. Do not assume that the campground electrical system is faultless.

Test the voltage at the tower using a multi-meter before connecting your RV shore power cable.

References:

General Solar Panel FAQ

What Problems Do Solar Panels Solve?

In environmental terms, solar panels can potentially solve a handful of problems, including;
1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Greenhouse gases
4. Reduction in fossil fuel use

For individuals, solar energy allows you to become completely self-sufficient when it comes to your electricity needs and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

What Are 3 Important Uses Of Solar Panels?

The three most important uses of solar panels are;
1. Solar electricity. This can be used to power almost any appliance in your home, including TVs, computers, and fridges.
2. Lighting. In addition to the use of low-power, LED lightbulbs, solar panels can provide an efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly way to provide lighting to homes. 
3. Portable solar. In our modern, always-connected lives, our phones, tablets, and computers are almost always with us, and all run on batteries. Portable PV chargers can help keep our batteries topped up no matter where we are, as long as there is some sun to charge them.

Do solar panels give you free electricity?

Once the cost of the array is paid in full, the energy it produces is free. There are ongoing maintenance costs, too, such as annual panel cleaning, etc. 

How much will my electric bill be with solar panels?

Suppose your solar array includes a solar battery backup system, and it is large enough to fully cover your energy usage per day. In that case, your monthly electric bill will be next to zero dollars, even with a grid-tied system. 

If your solar array does not include a solar battery backup system, then at night, your house or business will use grid electricity. That cost will vary but expect to pay from 1/3-2/3 of your average electric bill, and that cost will fluctuate seasonally. 

Do you save money with solar panels?

The simple answer is, Yes, you save money with solar panels. There is an initial upfront cost, but since solar panels are warrantied for 25 years, you will save money over time. You will also begin to see monthly savings in energy bills, but there are other ways that solar panels pay you back. Those include:
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2. Monthly decreases in energy costs
3. The ability to add more energy appliances without increased monthly costs
4. The potential for tax credits for going solar

Can solar panels power a house 24-7?

Most definitely! Solar panels can certainly power a house 24-7, with the addition of a high-quality inverter and a suitable battery bank, of course. To power, a house under normal usage will require a massive solar array, though, and there will be a very expensive initial financial outlay.

Do I need to tell my energy supplier I have solar panels?

This depends on where you live, but in most cases, it’s not necessary to inform your energy supplier that you have solar panels. That said, you may be producing excess power with your solar system, in which case you may be able to sell that excess power back to energy companies.

In this case, you’ll naturally need to be in contact with them. 

What Are Solar Cells Known as and Why?

Solar cells are also called photovoltaic (PV) cells. They are called so because the term ‘photovoltaic’ literally means light i.e. photo and electricity i.e. voltaic.

These cells generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. This effect basically causes the generation of free electrons from the semiconducting silicon material of the solar panel when sunlight hits its surface.

What Type of Solar Panels Are Most Efficient and Why?

There are currently three types of solar panels available in the market that are:
1. Monocrystalline
2. Polycrystalline
3. Thin-filmed

Among these, monocrystalline solar panels are known to be the most efficient among all others.

Does heat enter your home through the roof?

Absolutely. Heat enters your home through your roof, and on a hot day your attic can get up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Through conduction, heat from the sun warms your roof which then warms your attic and the rest of your home.

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