On 05/02/2019 14:57, wrote:
On Tuesday, 5 February 2019 11:30:17 UTC, Adrian Caspersz wrote:

That fire risk was related to the story of surge supressors being used
on a boat, where electrics could be done different - earth found
floating halfway between live and neutral, that would place a constant
voltage across the device, and a constant source of heat (and risk).

Inland it is not a worry - heat only occurs when a surge is absorbed.

Why would having the earth floating between live and neutral be worse than
the usual "inland" situation where one or other of the common mode surge
suppressors will usually have the full mains voltage across it?
It should make no difference at all for suppressors between live and neutral.
John


Some types are wired delta, and the working voltage rating of the part
connected neutral to ground *might* be low (expected inland, but not on
a boat)

https://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/e...ation_note.pdf

Perhaps. I don't pretend to understand US coastguard paranoia,
particularity where I can't find an authoritative statement exactly why
they must have the precaution in place. So the above is mine. YMMV.

Meanwhile, I'll offer US travellers a conversion service for their
onboard electrical devices. $100 a snip ;-

--
Adrian C