Grounding is making a connection between systems or equipment on a boat to bring that system or equipment to zero voltage potential or earth ground. But it is this very convenience the invisible power that does so much of the daily drudge work in the background that is also what makes the system so daunting when things go wrong.
How To Protect Your Family And Yourself From Electric Shock
Boat electrical system grounding. When marine electrical systems are working well they are invisible to most of us just like the electrical current itself. In virtually all cases its insulated copper wire with a covering thats green or green with a yellow stripe. Never use the mast engine or other. So inorder to prevent human electrical accidents the neutral is earthed. On a boat things are considerably more complicated. The shore power cable and connection is the most easily overloaded point of wiring on the boat because it feeds all of the ac system including receptacle circuits.
Every new appliance brought onboard can add a new load and devices like electric grills hair driers air conditioners and space heaters are designed to use about 12 amps each. The iii ac grounding bond or green wire is the safety intended to channel current safely to ground in the event of a short circuit. Both of these circuits are capable of conducting current and can result in electrolysis on a boat when there are system faults with the dock or marina wiring. Marine grounding systems marine grounding systems. The priority is neither the safety of the machinery nor the continuous necessary operation of the machinery. The ground connection is usually made by clamping to a metal water pipe or by driving a long copper stake into the ground.
Countless skippers have shared with me on many occasions while aboard their boats in e mails telephone calls and in seminars their self professed lack of understanding on this subject. The grounding system may be connected to the engine negative terminal or connected to a grounding buss that is connected to the engine negative terminal. I fully understand the mystery that surrounds this system electricity falls into the category of faith. Very likely represent the greatest mystery for most vessel owners. Its a truism electrical systems and electricity in general. Every light or appliance should be wired with its own dc return wire.
One of the classically misunderstood and overlooked systems on board most boats is the groundingbonding system which is fairly easy to identify. Insulated neutral systemthe reason for using it onboard for ship grounding the requirement ashore is the safety of human beings. It consists of the green grounding wire in the ac wiring system and serves the purpose of preventing shocks or electrocution. If you are one of these folks dont feel badly you are not alone. A large conducting body such as the earth or an electric circuit connected to. Understanding the elements that need to be in place for a set of 12 volt circuits to function safely could not only help you prevent a short circuit or an overheated wire.
Gallery of Boat Electrical System Grounding
