"Rusty O" wrote in message
hlink.net...
There are some simple rules to follow. The only problem is they may be
difficult to implement in some cases.

Rule #1 For safety reasons, all AC systems need to have the neutral and
ground tied together.

Rule #2 The neutral and ground must be tied together at ONLY one place.

Rule #3 If you are connected to shore power, without an isolation
transformer in your vessel, the neutral and ground will be tied together
at
the shore-side service panel.

Rule #4 If you are connected to shore power, as in rule 3, you MUST NOT
have the neutral and ground connected together aboard your vessel.

Rule #5 If you have an AC generator, of any voltage, the neutral and
ground
should be connected together at the generator.

Rule #6 If you have a true isolation transformer on board with the shore
power connected to the input and the output feeding the loads on your
vessel, then you have created a 'separately derived system'. In this case,
you would connect the neutral output of the transformer to the vessel
ground
to satisfy Rule #1.

Snipped the rest of this wonderful material . . .

Brilliant, Rusty. The most concise presentation of AC grounding I've seen.
Many thanks.

--
Jim B, Yacht RAPAZ,
Sadly, for sale:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jim.bae...cification.htm
jim[dot]baerselman[at]ntlworld[dot]com