HomeGlossary › AC panel

What is an AC panel?

The consumer unit / breaker panel that splits the inverter’s AC output into protected circuits for your sockets and appliances.

Plain-English, sized to standard · free · no account

Why it matters

The inverter’s AC output has to be split into protected circuits for your sockets and appliances — with the right breakers and an RCD/GFCI to protect people.

Where it fits in your system

It sits on the inverter’s AC output (or shore inlet), distributing mains power to your AC circuits behind breakers and a residual-current device.

How Wattonomy handles it

Design your van, boat, cabin or RV system in Wattonomy and it adds an AC panel with a residual-current device on the inverter output when your design includes AC loads — from the appliances you actually run, sized to the recognized standard for your region. You see it on the wiring diagram, in the sized parts list, and in a plain-English build pack that explains the reasoning behind every choice. No account, no email — about a minute to a complete, validated design.

Questions

Do I need an AC panel?

If you run mains appliances from an inverter or shore power, yes — the AC side needs breakers and an RCD/GFCI to be safe and compliant.

What is the RCD for?

It cuts power fast if current leaks to earth — for example through a person. It is required on inverter and shore AC circuits.

Design your system — free

It takes about a minute. No account, no email.