Galvanic isolator and ELCI precedence

[geste]

All,

On my last boat I finally got my brain wrapped around galvanic isolators. I added one, and for what it is worth, my zincs started lasting a lot longer.

Now ABYC standards call for ELCI on AC inlets. Some of what I have seen says ELCI should be the first thing in line after an AC shore power inlet.

Am I right in thinking that galvanic isolator would still come first and then ELCI?

My local shop is selling galvanic isolators made by "Dairlyland". I went "Huh?", but it is an outfit in Wisconsin and the unit looks fine -- Dairyland Electronic Industries.

Jim

[Dean Smith]

I put transformer(PROTECTION galv action) first and elci second and boy are they good, I have in my house too and they work, they also save some dumbos from destroying equipement by not finding why the the breaker or fuse goes

[Mark Cat]

The ELCI for new boats will replace the shore power beakers. Basically a 30mA multipole GFCI breaker or RCD.

For boats without an isolation or polarization transformer, a polarization detection device will be needed on the shore power side of the ELCI or AC breaker protection will require multipole breakers to also open the grounded conductor (neutral). See ABYC E-11.

The shore power procedure goes like this:

1) Turn off the ELCI.
2) Connect the shore power cable to the boat.
3) Connect the shore power cable to the pedestal.
4) Check for proper polarity on board the boat.
5) If OK, turn on the ELCI.
6) If not OK, disconnect and inform the dock master.

Mark

[Ike]

Starting from the shore side the ELCI is first, then the galvanic isolator.

[Mark Cat]

The galvanic isolation (use one with failsafe) is placed in series with the grounding green wire. The ELCI compares the Ungrounded (Black) and Grounded (White) current flow for 125VAC installations.

So the two devices are usually within 10 feet of the shore power boat inlet.

Mark