RCD info?

[BruceS]

snippity
I have a Honda 6500w generator that has two 15A outlets.
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I wonder if the gensets over 3.6kva are running a phase for each outlet or somehow splitting outlets from a single phase with big output.
If the former, one shouldnt be able to co-habitat the same outlets, they must be on different circuits within the boat/rv/house

One of the differences in the Au one from the USA one is that the USA one has a reset button whereas the Au one you stop & restart the genny to reset it.
The other difference is, as you say, the USA one is on separate phases but the Au one is simply split just like a double power point.

honda6.5.jpg

[T1 Terry]

That 3 phase balancing between phases when the house is wired as 3 x single phase still has me stumped. If it requires a 5 wire connection so a neutral is included, does the neutral go to each inverter that makes up the 3 phase? With the inverters we use, an additional inverter can be added in parallel to any one of the phases to provide a higher capability on that phase, so does the 3 phase linking simply hold each phase 120* apart and not actually load share between the phases?

T1 Terry

[supersparky]

T1, Not exactly sure how the newer ones work, but the older types had a centre tap onto the each one of the three phases which were wound 120 degrees apart. Example B is how the stator is wired.

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[Busman]

Thats one of my questions, I have a pretty cluey sparkie up here now so when he is putting in the transfer switch (3 ph but only wired for 1 at the moment), do I have to run 3 neutrals ? Pretty sure answer is no ?

[Busman]

That makes it clearer, thanks David.

[supersparky]

Thats one of my questions, I have a pretty cluey sparkie up here now so when he is putting in the transfer switch (3 ph but only wired for 1 at the moment), do I have to run 3 neutrals ? Pretty sure answer is no ?

You have just answered your own question. Now I just need a thumbs up emoji!

[jon_d]

With the inverters we use, an additional inverter can be added in parallel to any one of the phases to provide a higher capability on that phase, so does the 3 phase linking simply hold each phase 120* apart and not actually load share between the phases?

Terry,

with 3 phase alternators (aka generators), the phasing is controlled by the physical placement of the 3 coils in relation to the magnets.

With 3 phase inverters, the phasing can either be controlled by the timebase frequency, or possibly a capacitor / inductance network to pick off a 120* signal, to then feed the fet switches.

The more reliable way is the timebase model. clock at 50 hz and 150(?) hz then use bolean gates to trigger which power fets turn on and off.

[supersparky]

Just as an aside to all that, most automotive alternators (like the one on your car) are three phase, then run through a diode pack to make ripple free DC.

[T1 Terry]

So, the inverter linking kit to turn the output from 3 single phase inverters is just a timer for the 120* speration between phases, frequency matching and voltage matching, that sound about right? Does that mean each single phase requires its own neutral and the 3 phase plus neutral would have the neutral linked to all 3 single phase inverters?
Because there is no actual generator/alternator windings, the neutral can not load share between the phases, it just allows 3 separate single phases to be tapped from the 3 phase supply .... have I got that bit correct?
I understand how an alternator tapped back to the centre when wired in the WYE (well I knew it as Y tapped) and could supply both delta and Y supplies from basically the same wiring, the inverter generated method just had me thrown.
Looking back at it now, it would have been a lot clearer if I'd just drawn it out, the neutral is connected into all 3 phases, so it must need to be connected into all 3 phases when inverter generated ..... I think
Too many brain cells scattered in the motor vehicle accident I think, that and getting old just makes things worse.

T1 Terry

[T1 Terry]

Just as an aside to all that, most automotive alternators (like the one on your car) are three phase, then run through a diode pack to make ripple free DC.

In the early days before inverters were easy to get, we tapped into the windings and added 3 transformers to boost the 15vac to 230vac and set the hand throttle to give 50hz, give or take half a brick. We could run small hand drills, grinders and soldering irons without the need for a generator on the work truck. Once inverters became easier to buy that went out the window in favour of 140amp alternators and decent size batteries. Running a 9"angle grinder from an extension lead under the bonnet got quite a few double takes from the other maintenance people

T1 Terry