Victron Isolation Transformer 3600W 115/230V
Features:
- 3600W
- Automatically Switches Voltage Supply Based on Input Voltage
- Prevents Galvanic Corrosion
- Provides Safe Power Regulation
Indispensable in professional marine energy systems. It prevents electrolytic corrosion and above all serves as a device to guarantee a safe electric system. Toroidal wound technology for quietness and high efficiency. Soft start circuitry will ensure that the shore circuit breaker will not trip when plugged in.
Safety and Prevention of Galvanic Corrosion:
The Isolation Transformer eliminates any electrical continuity between AC shore power and the boat. It is essential for safety and eliminates the need for galvanic isolators and polarity alarms.
Safety:
Safety is taken for granted in case of a normal on-shore installation. A fuse will blow or a GFCI (Ground Fault Current Interrupter) will trip in case of a short circuit or current leakage to the ground. Connecting the ground wire of the shore-side supply to the metal parts of the boat will result in galvanic corrosion (see below). Bringing only the live and neutral wire on board results in an unsafe situation because GFCIs will not work nor will a fuse blow in case of a short circuit to a metal part on the boat.
Galvanic Corrosion:
This occurs when two dissimilar metals in electrical contact are simultaneously exposed to an electrically conducting fluid. Seawater and, to a lesser extent, fresh water are such fluids. In general, the more active alloy of the couple corrodes preferentially while the less active (more noble) material is cathodically protected. The rate of galvanic corrosion is a function of several variables including area ratios, conductivity of the fluid, temperature, nature of the materials, etc.
It is a misunderstanding that galvanic corrosion occurs only in metal and aluminium hulls. In fact, it can occur on any boat as soon as a metallic part (the shaft and propeller) is in contact with water. Galvanic corrosion will quickly dissolve your sacrificial anodes, and attack the shaft, propeller and other metal parts in contact with water as soon as the boat is connected to the shore-side supply. It might therefore be tempting not to connect the ground conductor: this is however extremely dangerous because GFCIs will not work nor will a fuse blow in case of a short circuit to a metal part on the boat.
The Best Solution:
To avoid galvanic corrosion and at the same time prevent any unsafe situation, install an Isolation Transformer to connect to the shore-side supply.
The Isolation Transformer eliminates any electrical continuity between shore power and the boat. The shore power is fed to the primary side of the transformer and the ship is connected to the secondary. The Isolation Transformer completely isolates the boat from the shore ground. By connecting all metal parts to the neutral output on the secondary side of the transformer, a GFCI will trip or a fuse will blow in case of a short circuit.
Soft Start:
This is a standard feature of a Victron Energy isolation transformer. It will prevent the shore power fuse from blowing due to the inrush current of the transformer, which would otherwise occur.
It is also recommended, for optimal safety, to connect the secondary neutral of the transformer to the ground when the boat is out of the water.
Applications:
Boats
Homes
RV's
Off-Grid Systems
Backup Power
More about Victron:
Victron Energy has a strong, unrivalled reputation for technical innovation, reliability, and build quality. Their products are widely considered to be a professional choice for independent electric power. Efficiently combining two or more distinct power sources is what they do best. Their products include sinewave inverters, sinewave inverters/chargers, battery chargers, DC/DC converters, transfer switches, battery monitors and more.