AC plug requirements for Charger

[Cdn_bacon]

Just picked up a new Victron 30A 3 outlet charger for the boat. Previously the boat did not have a charger however there is an empty breaker on the AC panel for an install. The charger has a plug that is rather not cut off so I was thinking of installing a GFI receptacle and wiring that to the breaker on the panel. My question is, shopping for a receptacle (Blue sea etc) they are rated for 20A. How does that work when it’s less than the charger amps?

[Wotname]

The charger outputs max 30A (and 14V DC).

This is NOT the input current. The AC input current will be only a few amps so any GFI respectable will be suitable.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Cdn_bacon

The charger has a plug that is rather not cut off so I was thinking of installing a GFI receptacle and wiring that to the breaker on the panel.

^
Yep, even if it had no plug hardwiring it by using the line/load on a GFCI is good.
I've done that, every AC unit in the boat is wired thru a GFCI.

[Cdn_bacon]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

^
Yep, even if it had no plug hardwiring it by using the line/load on a GFCI is good.
I've done that, every AC unit in the boat is wired thru a GFCI.

Thanks! Actually going to see if I can open up the charger tonight and get access to where the plug wires into the guts of the charger and run direct wiring.

[Cdn_bacon]

Originally Posted by Wotname

The charger outputs max 30A (and 14V DC).

This is NOT the input current. The AC input current will be only a few amps so any GFI respectable will be suitable.

So how do I know if I need a 15A or 20A GFI outlet?

[Bowdrie]

30 amps at 14VDC is only ~420 watts.
Discounting any losses that's only ~3.5 amps of 120VAC input.
Take your pick of GFCIs.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

30 amps at 14VDC is only ~420 watts.
Discounting any losses that's only ~3.5 amps of 120VAC input.
Take your pick of GFCIs.

Indeed.
A 15A 120VAC GFCI Receptacle can run at least a 1440 Watt* [12A @ 120VAC] load continuously, which is sufficient to power a 100 Amp charger [@14VDC].


* FWIW: 15A GFI Receptacles are generally rated at 1800 Watts maximum
But:
The Circuit Breaker, feeding it, is probably not.


For a particular circuit breaker, even though the 80% and 100% versions have the same amp rating (use the same trip curve), in actual use they are applied differently, depending on the continuous loads
The standard 80% rated breaker can only be applied continuously [defined as 3 hours or more] at 80% of its continuous current rating.
100% rated circuit breakers can be applied at up to 100% of their current rating continuously. Breakers rated at 80% can be applied at 100% of their rating, if the loading will last for less than 3 hours.

[GordMay]

A Continuous current rating is the designated amperes [RMS AC or DC] that a device will carry continuously, for 3+ hours, in free air, without tripping, or exceeding temperature limits.