Victron Galvanic Isolator VDI-32 connections

This entry represents the Victron VDI-32, the 32 A member of the VDI-16/32/64 family. The family installation manual, PDF page 1, explicitly includes its wiring diagram and separate specification column.

A galvanic isolator belongs in the shore supply's protective-earth conductor. It is not a battery combiner, a DC-negative isolator or an isolation transformer, and it does not replace the AC installation's required fault protection.

The diagram's SHORE ⏚ is the incoming shore protective-earth conductor. BOAT ⏚ continues to the vessel's protective-earth/bonding system. Line and neutral do not pass through these terminals.

Victron requires the isolator ahead of every vessel grounding connection so another earth path cannot bypass it. The manufacturer's Figure 1 separately shows line, neutral and the RCD. Trace the entire shore-earth route, including other connected equipment, before accepting the simplified two-terminal drawing as representative of the installation.

The VDI-32 column specifies 32 A maximum current and 3200 A peak for 20 milliseconds, with M6 connections and an IP67 potted construction. The brief peak rating concerns fault-current duty; it is not a 3200 A continuous rating or a DC fuse interrupt rating.

Match the isolator to the shore supply and protective-earth design. The manual does not specify a universal cable cross-section or terminal tightening torque. It instead requires appropriately sized conductors and locally applicable connection and protection arrangements. Do not import the VDI-16's current limit or another manufacturer's torque.

Mount the unit with its length vertical in a ventilated, heat-resistant location, leaving 10 cm clear space around it. Keep heat-sensitive materials away. The manual notes that the heatsink may become hot while conducting fault current, even though ordinary temperature rise is limited.

Before energising shore power, verify that the vessel's intended earth path passes through the isolator and that the AC protective devices and their connections are complete. This drawing does not show inlet wiring, RCD/breaker selection, neutral-earth switching, or an inverter/shore transfer arrangement.

The reviewed document provides no remote status-monitor instructions or model-specific periodic test procedure. Use the instructions applicable to the actual unit for inspection; neither the IP rating nor the presence of two connected earth cables alone verifies the complete protective-earth system.