The Harbor Report: Annual electrical inspection recommended
I attended the Marine Recreation Assn. seminar last week on corrosion, electrolysis and shock hazards in the marina.
Now I am really stepping out on a wire here trying to explain electrical systems and stray current to you because I have no clue what I am talking about.
But while at this seminar the first item that caught my attention was the National Fire Protection Assn. codes and standards. I sat up in my chair when I heard it is recommended to complete an annual inspection of all-electrical wiring, grounds, connections, conduits and hangers. One of these items is “splicing of flexible cord/cable shall be prohibited.”
What does this mean to you and I? All those household extension cords that you see on every dock on which you walk should not be used for charging the batteries on your Duffy or Harbor 20.
One of my good friend’s Harbor 20s caught on fire from an electrical spark from a household extension cord and damaged the boat. I recall our instructor stating that these cords will not hold up to the weather and are not strong enough to throw a circuit breaker.
As the seminar continued, we talked about a strict no-swimming policy near boats, especially in fresh water. This is when I started to understand that salt water conducts electricity, and fresh water does not. That means the odds of drowning from electric shock are much greater in fresh water. So after hearing this, I am all charged up, and called an electrician to come and inspect my pool at home.
These are some of the things to try to remember. If you have a sail drive on your sailboat, or your boat is built of carbon, ask you marine electrician how an isolation transformer works and find out why it is a good idea to install one on your boat.
When walking the docks, notice that all the electrical connections should be one foot above the dock. Large pigtail connections should be strapped to the dock. We have all stepped on a line on a boat and understand how easy it is to slip when stepping on line.
Note how power is supplied to the docks and where. It is a good idea to look for chafing in the electrical lines. Talk to your boat-bottom cleaning divers they know when there is loss current around your docks. If you’re tripping your dock’s power circuit, the odds are good it could be that your relay in your inverter is probably failing.
When should you call for help? Anytime an AC ground fault condition is suspected. Anytime DC stray current damage is observed. Anytime your diver or others report shock or tingle. Anytime you suspect problems with dock wiring.
Sea ya.
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LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist for the Daily Pilot.