Section 4: Inverter/Charger Installation

AC Cabling

AC wiring must be sized to match the current rating of the AC breakers you provide on the input and output AC circuits in accordance with the electrical codes or regulations applicable to your installation. The input and output circuits to and from the inverter/charger must be protected with a maximum 30-amp circuit breaker. The output branch circuit breaker size is determined by the load that will be placed on the circuit. Determine the output load, then select the appropriate circuit breaker size, the appropriate wire size and type. The following table is based on the U.S. National Electrical Code and the Canadian Electrical Code. There may be other codes and regulations applicable to your installation.

Recommended Wire Size vs Breaker Rating

Breaker Size

10A

15A

20A

30A

 

 

 

 

 

Min Wire Size

14AWG

14AWG

12AWG

10AWG

 

 

 

 

 

AC and DC Wiring Separation

Do not mix AC and DC wiring in the same conduit or panel. Where DC wiring must cross AC or vice- versa, make the wires at the crossing point 90° to one another. Consult code for details of DC and AC wiring in vicinity to one another.

AC Output Neutral-to-Ground Bonding

The neutral (common) conductor of the AC output circuit of the Prosine inverter/charger is automatically connected (bonded) to the input safety ground during inverter operation. This conforms to National Electrical Code requirements that separately derived AC sources (such as inverter and generators) have their neutral conductors tied to ground in the same way that the neutral conductor from the utility is tied to ground at the AC breaker panel. When AC utility power is present and the Prosine inverter/charger is in charger mode, this connection (neutral of the Prosine inverter/charger’s AC output to input safety ground) is not present so that the utility neutral is only connected to ground in one place, at your AC input breaker panel, as required. Your AC load distribution panel must not bond the neutral to ground. Many sub-panels have a bonding screw designed to allow the installer to bond or un-bond the panel’s neutral.

AC Disconnect and Overload Protection

AC Input: The circuit breaker or fuse used to protect the inverter/charger must be rated max. 30A, and must be approved for use on 120VAC branch circuits. The wire size used between the breaker and the Prosine inverter/charger input must be sized to match the circuit breaker, in accordance with the electrical codes or regulations applicable to your installation. The "AC Service Rating" setting of the Prosine inverter/charger must also be set to match the size of the breaker provided.

AC Output: The circuit breaker or fuse used must be rated max. 30-amp, and must be approved for use on 120V AC branch circuits. The wire size used between the Prosine inverter/charger output and the breaker, and between the breaker and your loads, must be sized to match the circuit breaker’s rating, in accordance with the electrical codes or regulations applicable to your installation.

Disconnect Devices: Since circuit breakers can be turned off, they will also meet the requirement for a disconnect device. As an alternate, use separate fuses and disconnect switches. Note that the required disconnect device is not intended for disconnection under load, it is only meant to be a way to isolate the Prosine inverter/charger from the input and output circuits.

Prosine Installation & Operation Guide

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