REBrueckner
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2005
- Messages
- 4,168
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 48' YACHT FISHERMAN (1972 - 1975)
Two questions:
Hatteras Reverse Polarity Indicators
QUESTION: Did Hatteras provide transformers for shorepower AND a reverse polarity indicator aboard?
It's conceivable they did so, or that they only provided reverse polarity indicators with a particular type of transformer, either isolation or polarization type. Or maybe early models had no transformers but did have reverse polarity indicators.
On a related issue, ABYC rules required in the past [maybe still do] that a reverse polarity indicator provided a minimum resistance of at least 25,000 ohms.
[This limits possible corrosion currents to small values. One way to block such possible corrosion currents is to have a button to monitor reverse polarity: when the button is normally open, it's an infinite resistance. When you briefly press the button and complete the circuit to check for reverse polarity, it's rather unimportant what the resistance might be.]
Outlet Testers
You can get inexpensive outlet testers like these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...CH=RV-_-RV_homepage_rr-3-_-NA-_-203195019-_-N
for under $10. I used to leave one plugged in full time in my salon as a quick, convenient check that things aboard were normal...all three LED's were lit. I am wondering if that was so smart.
Note that the manufacturer says : "Detects wiring configurations and indicates: correct wiring, open ground, reverse _x000D_ polarity, open hot, open neutral, hot/ground reversed. RT200 also works on GFI outlets and confirms operation of the ground fault
Does not indicate quality of ground, multiple hot wires, combinations of defects, reversal of grounded and grounding conductors.."
so it's not a guarantee EVERYTHING is ok. Nor is a "reverse polarity' lamp/button...but still both are pretty good.
QUESTION: Anybody know the resistance of such a tester between ground and neutral when left plugged in full time? Without ground isolation from shore, could it induce slight corrosion currents.
Hatteras Reverse Polarity Indicators
QUESTION: Did Hatteras provide transformers for shorepower AND a reverse polarity indicator aboard?
It's conceivable they did so, or that they only provided reverse polarity indicators with a particular type of transformer, either isolation or polarization type. Or maybe early models had no transformers but did have reverse polarity indicators.
On a related issue, ABYC rules required in the past [maybe still do] that a reverse polarity indicator provided a minimum resistance of at least 25,000 ohms.
[This limits possible corrosion currents to small values. One way to block such possible corrosion currents is to have a button to monitor reverse polarity: when the button is normally open, it's an infinite resistance. When you briefly press the button and complete the circuit to check for reverse polarity, it's rather unimportant what the resistance might be.]
Outlet Testers
You can get inexpensive outlet testers like these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...CH=RV-_-RV_homepage_rr-3-_-NA-_-203195019-_-N
for under $10. I used to leave one plugged in full time in my salon as a quick, convenient check that things aboard were normal...all three LED's were lit. I am wondering if that was so smart.
Note that the manufacturer says : "Detects wiring configurations and indicates: correct wiring, open ground, reverse _x000D_ polarity, open hot, open neutral, hot/ground reversed. RT200 also works on GFI outlets and confirms operation of the ground fault
Does not indicate quality of ground, multiple hot wires, combinations of defects, reversal of grounded and grounding conductors.."
so it's not a guarantee EVERYTHING is ok. Nor is a "reverse polarity' lamp/button...but still both are pretty good.
QUESTION: Anybody know the resistance of such a tester between ground and neutral when left plugged in full time? Without ground isolation from shore, could it induce slight corrosion currents.
