Marine Products

Marine Products
Electrical Standards

Codes and Specifications

ABYC Standard, July 2001, Excerpts.
8.4 DEFINITIONS – For the purposes of this standard, the following 8.17.4 Power wiring for receptacles shall be connected so that the
definitions apply. grounded (white) conductor attaches to the terminal identified by the
word “white" or a light color (normally white or silver). The ungrounded
Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) – A device intended for the protection of conductors(s) shall be attached to the terminal(s) identified by a dark color
personnel that functions to de-energize a circuit, or portion thereof, within an (normally brass or copper) and, optionally, the letters X, Y, and Z or L1, L2,
established period of time when a current to ground exceeds some predetermined and L3.
value that is less than that required to operate the overcurrent protective device of the
supply circuit. 8.17.5 A branch circuit supplying a combination of receptacle loads and
permanently connected loads shall not supply fixed loads in excess of the
Watertight – So constructed that water will not enter the enclosure under the following:
test conditions specified in NEMA standard 250.
[Link] 600 watts for a 15 ampere circuit;
Weatherproof – Constructed or protected so that exposure to the weather
will not interfere with successful operation. [Link] 1000 watts for a 20 ampere circuit.
8.12 GROUND FAULT PROTECTION NOTE: Refer to E-8.18.5 for load calculations.
8.12.1 If installed, a ground fault protector (GFP) shall only be used to 8.17.6 Receptacles shall be installed in locations not normally subject
protect equipment. to rain, spray, or flooding, but, if receptacles are used in such areas, the
NOTE: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) may be used on single phase following shall apply:
AC circuits to provide additional protection for personnel [Link] Receptacles installed in locations subject to rain, spray, or splash
and equipment. shall be weatherproof as may be provided by a spring loaded, self closing
8.12.2 GFCI and GFP breakers shall meet the requirements of Underwriters cover.
Laboratories standard UL 943, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, and the [Link] Receptacles installed in areas subject to flooding or momentary
requirements of UL 489, Molded Case Circuit Protectors for Circuit Breaker submersion shall be of a watertight design as may be provided by a
Enclosures. threaded, gasketed cover.
8.12.3 GFCI and GFP breakers may be installed as panelboard feeder
8.17.7 Receptacles provided for the galley shall be located so appliance
breakers to protect all associated circuits or in individual branch circuits.
cords can be plugged in without crossing a traffic area, galley stove, or sink.
8.12.4 Single-pole GFCI and GFP breakers shall only be used if:
8.17.8 If installed in a head, galley, machinery space, or on a weather deck,
[Link] the single phase 120 volt system has a polarity indicator, or the receptacle shall be protected by a Type A (nominal 4-6 milliamperes)
[Link] the system uses either a polarization transformer, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). See ABYC E-8.12.
the system is 120/240 volts. NOTE: GFCI receptacle devices are not necessarily ignition protected per
8.12.5 GFCI receptacle devices shall meet the requirements of ABYC E-8.9.1.
Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 943, Ground Fault circuit
Interrupters, and the requirements of UL 498, Electrical Attachment Plugs
8.22 SHORE POWER SUPPLY
and Receptacles.
8.22.1 Power Inlet – The receptacle, or receptacles, installed to receive
8.12.6 GFCI receptacle devices may be installed as part of a convenience
a connecting cable to carry AC shore power aboard shall be a male type
outlet installation either in single outlet applications or in multiple feed
connector.
through installations. See ABYC E-8.17.8.
[Link] Power inlets installed in locations subject to rain, spray, or splash
NOTE: Isolation transformer primary main breakers – GFP breakers may
shall be weatherproof whether or not in use.
be installed as the main breaker on the primary side of isolation
transformers. See E-8.23, Diagram 8 and Diagram 11. This GFP [Link] Power inlets installed in areas subject to flooding or momentary
breaker will provide ground fault protection only for the primary submersion shall be of a watertight design whether or not in use.
winding of the transformer. Protection for circuits supplied by [Link] Metallic power inlets installed on metallic boats using an isolation
the secondary winding of the transformer may be provided in transformer or a galvanic isolator shall be insulated from metallic structure
accordance with ABYC E-8.11.4, E-8.11.5, E-[Link], and and components. On nonmetallic boats using an isolation transformer or a
E-8.12.4. galvanic isolator the power inlet shall be insulated from metallic components
8.16 SWITCHES connected to the boat’s ground.
8.16.1 Switches used in branch circuits shall simultaneously open all 8.22.2 Shore Power Cable – On each boat equipped with an AC shore
ungrounded conductor(s) of the branch circuit. power system, a shore power cable that contains the conductors for the
power circuit and a grounding (green) conductor shall be provided.
8.16.2 Switches shall have voltage ratings not less than the system
voltage, current ratings not less than the connected load, and shall be rated [Link] Except where the shore power cable is permanently connected to
for the type of load, i.e., inductive or resistive. the boat, the boat end of this cable shall be terminated with a locking and
grounding female type connector to match the boat power inlet. See Figure
11 and Figure 12.
Electrical Standards

8.17 RECEPTACLES
[Link] The shore power cable shall be flexible cord with the minimum
8.17.1 Receptacles shall be installed in boxes that meet the requirements properties of Type SO, ST, STO, SEO, or STOOW, and shall be suitable for
of UL 514A, Metallic Outlet Boxes, or 514C, Nonmetallic Outlet Boxes, Flush outdoor use. The shore connection end of this cable shall be fitted with a
Device Boxes and Covers 514.D Cover plates for flush mounted wiring locking and grounding type plug with the required number of poles and shall
devices. comply with the National Electrical Code. See Figure 11 or Figure 12 and
8.17.2 Receptacles shall be of the grounding type with a terminal provided Appendix AP Table 2.
for the grounding (green) conductor as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11.
8.17.3 Receptacles and matching plugs used on AC systems shall not be
interchangeable with receptacles and matching plugs used on DC systems.

46 [Link] Dimensions in Inches (mm)