I’m in the U.S. and have an AC200L that I want to connect directly to my panel using a 30amp power inlet box (not a transfer switch). The power inlet box will be installed on the inside of the house so weather isn’t an issue. I’ll be using an interlock, won’t be trying to power anything that uses 240V, and won’t be trying to consume more amps or watts than the AC200L can handle. I’ve read stories of people damaging their power stations through incorrect installations that seem centered around the use of a floating ground. This concerns me.
If I test a grid wall outlet between the neutral and hot, I get 120V which, I think, indicates neutral/ground bonding in the panel. What is important to know about a floating ground for a setup like this?
I’ll most likely have an electrician perform the installation, I’m just trying to understand the topic better.
@mikeparks Welcome to the forum!
No need to pay special attention. Floating ground may not carry certain loads, just be careful to ground it as well when connecting it to the distribution panel.
What kind of loads would a floating ground not carry? Are there any consequences (e.g., potential damage to the AC200L or the device I’m trying to power, etc.) that would occur if I unknowingly tried to power an incompatible load or would it simply not work but also NOT cause damage to either the AC200L or the device I’m trying to power?
When connecting a power inlet box to a panel, a simple connection of line to line, neutral to neutral, ground to ground, and also grounding the AC200L is all that’s required, correct?
@mikeparks Floating neutral lines cannot be used for devices that cannot operate without grounding, such as certain pellet stoves. Only by grounding BLUETTI machines can these devices be operated.
Floating neutral will not damage the machines, don’t worry.