philippi Onboard Installation – Cables, Main Switches, Fuses & Connection Technology for Boats, Yachts & Vehicles
Everything for a professional and safe onboard installation: circuit breakers, busbars, fuses, terminal blocks, installation systems, common rails and battery main switches, as well as suitable cables, installation aids, and cable lugs. The philippi onboard installation collection includes all components required for a standard-compliant, reliable, and durable DC 12V, 24V, and 48V electrical system on boats, yachts, motorhomes, and expedition vehicles – clearly summarized in one collection.
Briefly explained: A safe onboard installation doesn't start at the switch panel – it starts directly at the battery. Every cable must be fused appropriately for its cross-section, every connection must be permanently contact-safe, and every main switch must be correctly dimensioned. This collection provides all the building blocks for this.
What does a professional onboard installation include?
A standard-compliant onboard installation according to DIN EN ISO 13297 consists of much more than just cables and switches. From the battery terminal to the last consumer, every component must be coordinated – in cross-section, fusing, and connection quality. Poor connections, incorrectly dimensioned cables, or missing fuses are the most common causes of onboard fires, system failures, and battery damage.
Overview of the Collection's Product Areas
Battery Main Switches Battery main switches are used to disconnect the DC 12V, 24V, or 48V battery system when not in use or for service work. Accidental deep discharge during prolonged periods of inactivity can also be reliably prevented by models with integrated deep discharge protection. Philippi offers manual main switches up to 500 A as well as remote-controlled variants (FBR, THR, FHC) for electrical main power disconnection without direct access to the switch – ideal for use in hard-to-reach areas.
Remote-Controlled Main Switches & Deep Discharge Protection Remote-controlled main switches allow battery disconnection from the helm or cockpit. Deep discharge protection relays automatically disconnect the consumer battery as soon as the voltage falls below a critical value – reliably protecting the battery from irreversible deep discharge.
Fuses – from Low Current to High Current Every cable needs a fuse matched to its cross-section. The collection covers the complete spectrum: automotive blade fuses and fuse holders for small consumers, strip fuses (ANL, MIDI, MEGA) for medium currents, as well as bolt-down fuses (SHB/MRBF) and Class-T fuses for high-current circuits up to 600 A. All types are available in suitable holders and distribution blocks.
Fuse Distributors & Circuit Breakers Thermal circuit breakers (panel-mount and switch-type circuit breakers) for panel mounting from 25–200 A allow resetting after tripping without fuse replacement. SafetyHub fuse distributors combine MIDI high-current fuses and automotive blade fuses in an ignition-protected, IP-66 rated housing – suitable for boats with gasoline and diesel engines alike.
Busbars & Power Distributors Busbars made of solid, nickel-plated electrolytic copper bundle multiple cable outlets at a common positive or negative potential – with minimized contact resistance and for continuous currents from 100 A to 1000 A. Available as compact SMS rails, powerful PowerBar rails, MSS negative pole busbars, and as two-pole DualBus units.
Terminal Blocks Terminal blocks enable structured, detachable connection of wires in control cabinets and on distribution plates – the clean and clear solution for all fixed installations with multiple outputs and clearly separable circuits.
Cables Onboard cables for fixed DC installation: flexible copper stranded wire in marine-grade design, for 12V, 24V, or 48V onboard electrical systems. Available in all common cross-sections from 1.5 mm² to 120 mm² – as per meter, roll, or pre-assembled. For main power wiring between battery, main switch, and distributor, as well as for all consumer lines.
Connection Technology – Cable Lugs, Wire End Ferrules & Crimping Tools Tubular cable lugs for fine-stranded conductors, material E-Cu, tinned surface according to DIN 40500. The connection technology collection includes ring and tubular cable lugs in all common cross-sections, insulated and uninsulated variants, flat connectors and flat receptacles, crimp connectors, and professional crimping tools – for permanently secure, corrosion-resistant connections on board.
Waterproof Junction Boxes For cable connections and分支 in damp or splash-exposed areas: waterproof junction boxes in various sizes – for use in bilge areas, engine compartments, or cockpits.
Switches & Indicator Lights Individual switches, push-buttons, and indicator lights as individual components – for individual additions to existing systems, special installations, and spare parts requirements.
What really matters in onboard installation
A professional onboard installation stands and falls with three factors: correct dimensioning, connection quality, and comprehensive fusing.
Cable cross-section and fusing: The fuse size always follows the cable cross-section – not the consumer power. Undersized cross-sections and oversized fuses are the most common source of errors in onboard electrical systems.
Connection quality: Oxidized or poorly crimped connections create contact resistance, which leads to heat generation, voltage drop, and in the worst case, cable fires at high currents. Tinned cable lugs and professional crimping tools are not a luxury – they are a safety standard.
Main switch close to the battery: The main fuse and battery main switch should be as close as possible to the battery – the unfused cable section between the battery and the first fuse carries the greatest risk in the entire onboard electrical system.
Frequently Asked Questions about Onboard Installation
What cable cross-section do I need for my cables? The cross-section depends on the maximum continuous current and the cable length. As a rule of thumb: for 12 V and 10 A continuous current, 1.5 mm² is sufficient for short cables up to 3 m; for longer cables or higher currents, choose one size larger. We would be happy to advise you on dimensioning.
Does every cable need to be individually fused? Yes. Every cable branching off from the battery or from a distributor must be fused according to its cross-section. This is stipulated by DIN EN ISO 13297 and is the basis of every fire-safe onboard installation.
What is the difference between bolt-down fuses and strip fuses? Bolt-down fuses (SHB/MRBF) are used directly at the battery terminal or in the immediate vicinity of the battery – compact, space-saving, and for currents up to 300 A. Strip fuses (ANL, MIDI) are the classic solution for main cable fusing with a little more installation space, also suitable for high currents.
What does a tinned surface on cable lugs mean? Tinned copper cable lugs are more corrosion-resistant than untinned ones – especially important in the salty onboard environment. Tinning prevents oxidation at the contact surface and ensures permanently low contact resistance.
Why do I need deep discharge protection? Deep discharge protection automatically disconnects the consumer battery from the onboard electrical system when the voltage falls below an adjustable minimum value. This prevents the battery from being irreversibly deep-discharged due to self-discharge or standby current – especially important in winter storage and during longer absences.
Philippi Onboard Installation · Onboard Electrical System Cables · Boat Battery Main Switch · Marine Cable Lugs · Onboard Electrical System Fuses · Boat Busbars · Yacht Terminal Blocks · Waterproof Junction Box · Onboard Electrical System Connection Technology · Deep Discharge Protection · Boat Fuse Distributor · DIN EN ISO 10133 · Philippi Electrical Systems
