Philippi Onboard Installation – Cables, Main Switches, Fuses & Connection Technology for Boats, Yachts & Vehicles
Everything for a professional and safe onboard installation: circuit breakers, distributors, fuses, terminal blocks, installation systems, busbars, and battery main switches, as well as matching cables, installation aids, and electrical tools. The Philippi Onboard Installation collection includes all components required for a standard-compliant, reliable, and durable 12V and 24V onboard electrical system on boats, yachts, motorhomes, and expedition vehicles – clearly summarized in one collection.
Brief explanation: A safe onboard installation doesn't start at the switch panel – it starts directly at the battery. Every cable must be fused, every connection permanently secure, and every main switch correctly dimensioned. This collection provides all the components for this.
What constitutes a professional onboard installation?
A standard-compliant onboard installation according to DIN EN ISO 10133 consists of much more than cables and switches. From the battery terminal to the last consumer, every component must be coordinated – in terms of 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 or 24V battery system when not in use or during service work. This reliably prevents unintentional deep discharge during longer downtimes. Philippi offers manual main switches up to 500A as well as remote-controlled variants (FBA, TSA, FBC) for electrical main power disconnection without direct access to the switch – ideal for use in hard-to-reach bilge areas.
Remote-controlled Main Switches & Deep Discharge Protection Remote-controlled main switches enable 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 requires fusing 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, and stud fuses (SHB/MRBF) and Class T fuses for high-current circuits up to 400A. 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 25–200A allow resetting after tripping without changing fuses. SafetyHub fuse distributors combine MIDI high-current fuses and automotive blade fuses in an ignition-protected, IP66-rated housing – equally suitable for boats with gasoline and diesel engines.
Busbars & Power Distributors Busbars made of solid, tinned copper bundle multiple cable outlets at a common positive or negative potential – with minimized contact resistance and for continuous currents from 100A to 600A. Available as compact SMS busbars, powerful PowerBar busbars, MSS negative pole busbars, and as two-pole DualBus units.
Terminal Blocks Terminal blocks enable structured, detachable connection of cables in the switch cabinet and on distribution plates – the clean solution for all fixed installations with multiple outlets and clearly separable circuits.
Cables Onboard cables for fixed DC installation: flexible copper strands in marine-grade design, for 12V and 24V onboard electrical systems. Available in all common cross-sections from 1.5 mm² to 95 mm² – by the meter or pre-assembled. For main power wiring between battery, main switch, and distributor, and for all consumer lines.
Connection Technology – Cable Lugs, Wire End Sleeves & Crimping Tools Tube cable lugs for fine-stranded conductors, material E-Cu, tinned surface according to DIN 40500. The connection technology collection includes ring and tube cable lugs in all common cross-sections, insulated and uninsulated variants, spade terminals and spade connectors, crimp connectors, and professional crimping tools – for permanently secure, corrosion-resistant connections onboard.
Waterproof Junction Boxes For cable connections and branches in damp or splash-exposed areas: waterproof junction boxes in various sizes – for use in the bilge, engine compartment, or cockpit.
Switches & Indicator Lights Individual switches, momentary switches, and indicator lights as single components – for individual additions to existing systems, special installations, and spare part needs.
What really matters in onboard installation
A professional onboard installation depends on three factors: correct dimensioning, connection quality, and complete 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 can lead 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 the 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 12V and 10A continuous current, 1.5 mm² is sufficient for short cables up to 3m; for longer cables or higher currents, choose accordingly larger. We will be happy to advise you on dimensioning.
Does every cable have to be individually fused? Yes. Every cable originating from the battery or from a distributor must be fused according to its cross-section. This is prescribed by DIN EN ISO 10133 and is the basis of every fire-safe onboard installation.
What is the difference between stud fuses and strip fuses? Stud 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 300A. Strip fuses (ANL, MIDI) are the classic solution for main line fusing with a bit more installation space, also suitable for high currents.
What does tinned surface mean for cable lugs? Tinned copper cable lugs are more corrosion-resistant than untinned ones – especially important in the salty environment onboard. 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 if the voltage falls below an adjustable minimum value. This prevents the battery from being irreversibly deep discharged by self-discharge or standby current – especially important in winter storage and during longer absences.
Philippi onboard installation · onboard wiring · battery main switch boat · cable lugs marine · fuses onboard electrical system · busbars boat · terminal blocks yacht · waterproof junction box · connection technology onboard electrical system · deep discharge protection · fuse distributor boat · DIN EN ISO 10133 · Philippi electrical systems
