After the original socket was removed, the hole had to be filed out slightly as the new socket is about 1mm wider and higher than the original. The new socket is also screwed to the case rather than clipped in. Fitting this filter will reduce the amount of switching noise that enters and is radiated by the mains wiring .
As for the wiring, simply cut the plastic plug and earth terminal off. Connect the active, neutral and earth wires up to the other mains socket as per the original socket.
Good mod. I've installed many of those filters in 'boxes' that I built at work.
ReplyDeleteThey work pretty good and any old PC AC cord fits them..
All the filter units that I've used (120vac) have the ground line (center pin) connected to the filter's metal case. When you install the nuts and bolts, it shorts AC ground to the box (if it's metal).
Even with that connection, I always add a green wire(with lug) to the chassis from the center pin (load side).
If I ever get to do RFI mods on a PJ, I want the case at ground. Did not know it was a 'floating' case.
That's dangerous, as you found out..
Thanks for the good info..
Rich
I've just installed one from an old pc power supply.
ReplyDeleteproblem is the inverters standby has gone from 7w to 14w, any ideas.
Seems a bit strange that the filter would be consuming 7 watts of power. It should be getting very warm if this is the case. Which inverter do you have? My 1200w inverter draws 0.09A @ 240v or 20w in standby. If you are using a plug-in AC power meter (chinese Killa-watt style) to read power draw, they don't seem to read very low power levels (<30w) very well. They are more designed to read hundreds of watts. Best to read current draw with an accurate AC ammeter, but be very careful if you start connecting your Multimeter test leads in series with one of the AC lines!!
ReplyDeleteCan potentially introduce plenty of exposed metal to bite you. Even more important if, like me, you are dealing with 240v..
Graham, The other issue could be that you have now effectively earthed/grounded the inverter case. These inverters are shipped with a floating or isolated chassis. It is possible that you are reading some leakage current between AC and earth.. The first 600w inverter that i received, gave me a shock when i touched the case and an earthed appliance. Turns out one of the inverter diode tabs was shorted to the chassis because a piece of aluminium swarf had been left behind the rubber insulating strip before the clamp had been tightened.
ReplyDeleteWith a multimeter, go through and confirm that all diode and mosfet tabs are isolated from the chassis.
P.S the inverter still worked in this condition, but I had around 120v AC on the chassis!