Victron Energy ITR050452042 4500W Auto 115/230V Isolation Transformer for Marine Safety - ITR050452042

Isolation Transformer 4500W Auto 115/230V

Safety and prevention of galvanic corrosion - The Isolation Transformer eliminates any electrical continuity between AC shore power and the boat. It is essential for safety and eliminates the need for galvanic isolators and polarity alarms.

Safety is taken for granted in the case of a normal onshore installation. A circuit breaker or a GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) will trip in the event of a short circuit or current leakage to ground. Connecting the ground wire of the shore-side supply to the metal parts of the boat will result in galvanic corrosion (see below). Bringing only the live and neutral wire on board results in an unsafe situation because GFCIs will not work, nor will a fuse blow in case of a short circuit to a metal part on the boat.

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals in electrical contact are simultaneously exposed to an electrically conducting fluid. Seawater and, to a lesser extent, fresh water are such fluids. In general, the more active alloy of the couple corrodes preferentially while the less active (more noble) material is cathodically protected. The rate of galvanic corrosion is a function of several variables including area ratios, conductivity of the fluid, temperature, nature of the materials, etc.

It is a misunderstanding that galvanic corrosion occurs only in metal and aluminium hulls. In fact it can occur on any boat as soon as a metallic part (the shaft and propeller) is in contact with water. Galvanic corrosion will quickly dissolve your sacrificial anodes, and attack the shaft, propeller and other metal parts in contact with water as soon as the boat is connected to the shore -side supply.

It might therefore be tempting not to connect the ground conductor: this is however e xtremely dangerous because GFCIs will not work nor will a fuse blow in case of a short circuit to a metal part on the boat.

The best solution to avoid galvanic corrosion and at the same time prevent any uns afe situation is to install an Isolation Transformer to connect to the shore-side supply.

The Isolation Transformer eliminates any electrical continuity between shore power and the boat. The shore power is fed to the primary side of the transformer and the ship is connected to the secondary.

The Isolation Transformer completely isolates the boat from the shore ground. By connecting all metal parts to the neutral output on the secondary side of the transformer, a GFCI will trip or a fuse will blow in case of a short circuit.

Soft start is a standard feature of a Victron Energy isolation transformer. It will prevent the shore power fuse from blowing due to the inrush current of the transformer, which would otherwise occur.

It is also recommended, for optimal safety, to connect the secondary neutral of the transformer to ground when the boat is out of the water.

4500 Watt Auto 115/230 V - This model will automatically switch to 115 V or 230 V supply, depending on input voltage.

Supply 88 V 130 V: switches to 115 V supply

Supply 185 250 V: switches to 230 V supply range.

Note: The AC input voltage is raised by 1:1.05 ratio at the AC output.

The Victron Energy ITR050452042 4500W Auto 115/230V Isolation Transformer is designed to enhance safety and protect your boat's electrical system from galvanic corrosion. This transformer eliminates electrical continuity between shore power and your vessel, providing a crucial barrier that prevents galvanic corrosion caused by seawater and other conductive fluids. It is especially beneficial for boats with metal components such as shafts and propellers, which are prone to corrosion when connected directly to shore power.

This model features automatic voltage switching, seamlessly adapting between 115V and 230V power sources to match your shore supply, ensuring compatibility in various regions. Its soft start capability helps prevent inrush current from blowing fuses or tripping GFCIs, maintaining a stable electrical connection during startup. Connecting all metal parts to the secondary neutral output of the transformer allows GFCIs and fuses to operate normally, providing an additional layer of safety.

For optimal safety, it is recommended to connect the secondary neutral of the transformer to ground when the boat is out of the water. The transformer is built with durable components designed for marine environments, supporting up to 4500 watts of power. Its compact size and robust construction make it suitable for installation on boats where space and reliability are critical. By installing this transformer, boat owners can significantly reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion and ensure a safer, more reliable electrical system while docked or at sea.

Features:

• Power Capacity: 4500 watts for reliable marine power management

• Automatic Voltage Switching: Detects and switches between 115V and 230V supplies

• Galvanic Corrosion Prevention: Eliminates electrical continuity between shore power and boat

• Soft Start Function: Prevents fuse blowout during transformer startup

• Marine-Grade Durability: Designed for harsh marine environments