Victron Isolation Transformer 8000W 230V

Isolation transformers are indispensable in professional marine energy systems to prevent electrolytic (galvanic) corrosion and guarantee electrical safety. In a domestic electrical installation, safety is taken for granted because an RCD (Residual Current Device) will trip in case of stray current leakage to ground under fault conditions. The same is true for boat electrical systems when connected to shore power, however connecting the ground/earth wire of the shore-side supply to the metal parts of the boat will result in galvanic corrosion, which is a significant problem. 

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals in electrical contact are simultaneously exposed to an electrically conductive fluid, such as seawater. Galvanic corrosion can occur on any boat that is connected to shore power as soon as a metallic part (e.g. the shaft and propeller) touches the water. This will quickly dissolve sacrificial anodes and attack the shaft, propeller and other metal parts in contact with water. It might, therefore, be tempting not to connect the ground conductor in order to prevent galvanic corrosion, however, this is extremely dangerous because RCDs will not work, nor will a fuse blow in case of a short circuit to a metal part on the boat. 

The Victron Energy Isolation Transformer solves this problem by removing the physical electrical connection between AC shore power and the boat, eliminating the need for galvanic isolators or polarity alarms and ensuring electrical safety. The shore power is fed to the primary side of the transformer and the boat is connected to the secondary, so the boat is completely isolated from the shore ground. By connecting all metal parts, via the ground wire, to the neutral output on the secondary side of the transformer, an RCD will trip in case of a current leakage fault, or a fuse will blow in case of a short circuit. 

The internal connections of the transformer are user-configurable, allowing it to be used with either 115 or 230V AC shore power supplies and deliver either 115 or 230V AC at the output (all four voltage permutations are possible). There is also an input/output ratio of 1:1.05 to compensate for shore power voltage drops that are common in marinas. 

The transformer features toroidal wound technology for quietness and high efficiency, and soft start circuitry ensures that the shore power circuit breaker will not trip when plugged in. The unit has a variable speed cooling fan and over-temperature protection. 

Features 

• 2000W capacity 
• User-configurable design allows for any combination of 115 & 230V input/output voltages 
• Soft start circuitry (prevents inrush current tripping shore power circuit breaker) 
• Over-temperature protection 
• 5% voltage boost to counter shore power voltage-drop 

 Victron Energy is at the cutting edge of power management technology, offering a range of innovative and highly reliable products for every leisure application. This highly respected brand has a wealth of experience in the automotive, industrial, off-grid, marine, energy-storage and telecoms sectors.

PRODUCT CODE: ITR000802002