Powerstation Switchbox for secure integration of a power station in the motorhome

Powerstation SwitchBox for safe integration of a power station in the motorhome

with RCD protection for both shore power and power station operation

Description:

Powerstations are becoming increasingly popular to enable electrical independence from the shore power connection in the motorhome | caravan | boat without having to upgrade the electrical system in the vehicle with additional batteries, inverters, charging boosters etc.. However, power stations cannot be integrated directly into the 230V mains in the motorhome or boat, as the corresponding protection against dangerous body voltages (RCD protection) is not provided. This means that the existing 230V sockets in the vehicle - if no shore power is connected - cannot be used and all consumers / devices must be plugged directly into the power station.

The problem:

Powerstations supply a so-called IT network at the 230V output, whereas the 230V shore power connection supplies a TN-S network. In the IT network, downstream residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) do not function and there is therefore a safety risk if this output voltage is distributed to several sockets / devices in the vehicle, as the user is not protected against dangerous body voltage (electric shock) in the event of a fault. In the TN-S network (shore power), the function of downstream residual current circuit breakers is guaranteed. As both networks are now available when the power station is integrated into the vehicle, a separate solution must be found.

The solution

Our Powerstation Switchbox completely solves this safety risk and ensures safe integration of the Powerstation into the existing 230V grid.

• If shore power is available, all sockets and the desired permanently installed devices are supplied with 230V as usual, and the Powerstation is recharged at the same time.
• If no shore power is available, the Powerstation supplies all sockets and the desired permanently installed devices with 230V.

In both operating modes, the function of the downstream residual current circuit breaker is ensured so that you are reliably protected against electric shock in the event of a fault. There is also no need to reconnect consumers between the existing sockets in the vehicle and the power station. A perfectly functioning solution that guarantees the necessary safety and increases convenience.

Flexibility

The Powerstation can still be removed from the vehicle installation at any time - by removing 2 plugs - and used on the move. Once back in the vehicle with the Powerstation, the two plugs are simply plugged back in. This does not affect the function of the 230V system in the vehicle, whether with or without the Powerstation, everything works as it should.

Installing the Powerstation SwitchBox

During installation, it should be noted that not all devices should be supplied by the Powerstation - when operating without shore power. Consumers such as the refrigerator or the battery charger for the body batteries should normally only be supplied with 230V if the shore power connection is available. This can either be done manually by switching the refrigerator to gas operation when there is no shore power and, if necessary, switching off the battery charger for the body batteries (if this option is available or a switch is retrofitted).

For fully automatic operation, i.e. so that nothing needs to be observed, it is necessary to adapt the wiring of the devices that should only function when shore power is available. For this purpose, the connection cable from the refrigerator and the battery charger must be connected directly to the output of the vehicle's internal RCD (residual current circuit breaker and circuit breaker), i.e. before the Powerstation Switchbox. This ensures that these devices are only supplied with 230 V when shore power is available.

Of course, we will be happy to take care of the professional installation of the SwitchBox for you. In our motorhome workshop, we carry out high-quality electrical installations and all other assembly work on the vehicle body every day. Simply contact our workshop team: +49 6024 6341 562 or einbau@fraron.de

Note: Changes to the 230V installation may only be carried out by trained specialists!

Scope of delivery:

• Powerstation SwitchBox PSSB16
• 1 x Wago Winsta® socket
• 1 x Wago Winsta® plug
• Of course, you will also receive operating instructions in German from us.

Further helpful tips can be found in the FAQ

Powerstation Switchbox PSSB16