An outdoor switch has two tasks that are self-evident indoors: it must remain watertight, and it must be operable even in the dark and with wet hands. The 700 series solves both—and moves the protection outdoors as well.
Switch and fuse in one component
The classic setup separates both: a simple on-off switch outdoors, and the corresponding fuse indoors in a protected area. This works but has two disadvantages. It requires an additional wire between the two, and the assignment is no longer visible—you either know which fuse belongs to which switch or you don't.
The 700 series combines thermal rocker circuit breakers and protection in a single watertight component. The switch is the fuse. This eliminates additional wiring, and the assignment is unambiguous because there is only one element.
What IP66 means
The protection class IP66 stands for complete protection against contact and dust, as well as protection against strong jets of water. This is the appropriate class for mounting on deck, in the cockpit, or at the helm.
It is achieved through the included seal, and that's precisely where the catch lies: The protection class applies to the installed device with a correctly seated seal, not to the device in the box. An unclean cutout, a canted seal, or an uneven mounting surface turn IP66 into an unknown quantity.
WarningThe seal requires a flat, clean contact surface. It will not seal on a curved or rough surface—here, a flat mounting plate should be placed underneath, otherwise, water will accumulate behind the panel after the first season.
The rockers: separate and intentional
The operating rockers are plug-on and are ordered separately. This may seem like a gap in the scope of delivery at first, but it serves a purpose: This way, each circuit can be labeled with the appropriate symbol instead of receiving generic labeling.
In practice, this means: the rocker list is part of the order. Those who forget it will have a functional but unlabeled panel—and outdoors, where you reach with wet hands in the dark, labeling is not a minor detail.
The laser-engraved symbol is weather-resistant, so it won't fade like a glued-on label.
Function control and night illumination
The circuit breakers of the series feature integrated function control: If the circuit is active, the symbol in the rocker lights up. In addition, there is switchable night illumination.
Both together solve the actual operating problem outdoors. You can see at a glance what is switched on—without touching the switch or getting a light. And the night illumination is switchable so that it doesn't disturb where dark adaptation is needed.
The sizes of the series
The series covers from a single circuit up to twelve circuits. In between are variants with three and five circuits, as well as versions with an integrated socket and with a voltmeter.
The consideration when choosing is the same as indoors—but with an addition: Every additional housing outdoors is an additional penetration and thus an additional point where water can enter. A panel with five circuits is therefore better than five individual switches, provided the circuits are operated in the same location anyway.
Notes on installation
- Even contact surface for the seal—create with a mounting plate if necessary.
- Clean cutout, without burrs and cracks at the corners.
- Fastening via the rear threaded bolts, evenly tightened—tightened on one side, the seal cants.
- Route cables from below with a drip loop so that water does not follow the line.
- Only attach rockers after the leak test.
Typical errors
- Indoor panel installed outdoors. Survives one season, then the contact corrodes.
- Rockers not ordered. The most common ordering error in this series.
- Seal on an uneven surface. IP66 only applies to correctly seated seals.
- Cable without drip loop. Water runs along the line into the housing.
- Many individual switches instead of one panel. Every penetration is a potential leak.
