Sep 22, 2008 12:36 pm
GFCI Inverter outlet to Panel - keeps tripping
I have a Samlex inverter 1000watt(just like the one sold here but not 1500w)that came with a standard 120v GFCI socket as it's outlet. I have fabbed a 3 prong plug that plugs into the inverter's GFCI and runs to a 60amp panel for my small cabin that shares a mutual neutral/ground bus bar. Unfortunetly I have come to the conclusion that I cannot use the main chassis ground at all on the inverter or the plug outlet at the panel or the GFCI will trip, in addition the inverter itself cannot be grounded or it will trip - not good!
Scenarios:
Inverter grounded to ground rod, the same one as the panel. Ground and neutral output going to same bus bar in panel and hot to hot - trips GFCI upon plugging in, clearly doesn't like it.
Inverter not grounded and ground and neutral go to bus bar in panel with hot to hot - trips GFCI upon plugging in
Inverter grounded and only neutral to bus bar with hot to hot on output - trips on plugging in.
No ground on inverter and no ground from output, just neutral and ground to panel - inverter works perfectly but is not grounded whatsoever, eek!!
My question being, is there a scenario that I have overlooked that would make everything work? Is this just something I will have to deal with since I am essentially trying to run a GFCI backwards? Would a seperate neutral and ground bus bar in the panel fix things? I am thinking this may work but it would isolate the neutrals altogether making things not work correctly.... Thanks for the help!