philippi onboard installation – cables, main switches, fuses & connection technology for boats, yachts & vehicles
Everything for a professional and safe onboard electrical system: circuit breakers, distribution busbars, fuses, terminal blocks, installation systems, busbars 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 12, 24 and 48 V DC 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 appropriately for its cross-section, every connection must have permanent contact reliability, and every main switch must be correctly dimensioned. This collection provides all the building blocks for this.
What constitutes a professional onboard installation?
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 terms of cross-section, fusing, and connection quality. Poor connections, incorrectly sized cables, or missing fuses are the most common causes of onboard fires, system failures, and battery damage.
Overview of the product areas in the collection
Battery main switches Battery main switches are used to disconnect the 12, 24 or 48 V DC battery system when not in use or during service work. Accidental deep discharge during long 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 remotely controllable variants (FBR, THR, FHC) for electrical main current disconnection without direct access to the switch – ideal for use in hard-to-reach areas.
Remotely controllable main switches & deep discharge protection Remotely controllable main switches allow battery disconnection from the helm or cockpit. Deep discharge protection relays automatically disconnect the consumer battery as soon as the voltage drops below a critical value – reliably protecting the battery from irreversible deep discharge.
Fuses – from low current to high current Every wire 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, and 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-panel circuit breakers) from 25–200 A allow resetting after tripping without changing fuses. SafetyHub fuse distributors combine MIDI high-current fuses and automotive blade fuses in an ignition-protected, IP-66-rated housing – suitable for both gasoline and diesel-powered boats.
Busbars & power distributors Busbars made of solid, tin-plated or nickel-plated electrical copper bundle multiple cable outputs to 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 cable connections in control cabinets and on distribution plates – the clean and clear solution for all permanent installations with multiple outputs and clearly separable circuits.
Cables Onboard cables for fixed DC installation: flexible copper strands in marine-grade design, for 12, 24 or 48 V onboard electrical systems. Available in all common cross-sections from 1.5 mm² to 120 mm² – by the meter, on a reel or pre-assembled. For main power cabling between battery, main switch and distributor, and for all consumer lines.
Connection technology – cable lugs, wire end ferrules & crimping tools Tubular cable lugs for fine-stranded conductors, E-Cu material, 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, spade terminals and spade receptacles, crimp connectors, and professional crimping tools – for permanently secure, corrosion-resistant connections on board.
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 parts.
What really matters in onboard installation
A professional onboard installation depends on three factors: correct dimensioning, quality of connections, 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 at high currents leads to heat generation, voltage drop, and in the worst case, cable fires. 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
Which cable cross-section do I need for my cables?
It depends on the current, the cable length and the permitted voltage drop; the calculation uses the outgoing and return conductor together. Example: a 10 A load at 12 V, three metres from the distribution panel, needs 4 mm² for a voltage drop of no more than 3 %. At 10 A, 1.5 mm² is only enough for about 1.5 m. The cable configurator calculates cross-section and fuse automatically.
Does every cable need to be individually fused?
Yes. Every cable leaving the battery or a distributor needs its own fuse matched to its cross-section – this is what ISO 13297 requires. The fuse sits as close as possible to the start of the cable, because it protects the cable, not the device. An unfused section between the battery and the first fuse is the biggest fire risk in the system.
What is the difference between a bolt-down fuse and a strip fuse?
Both protect main cables carrying high currents. Bolt-down fuses (SHB, MRBF) are very compact and sit directly on the battery terminal or right next to it, for currents up to 300 A. Strip fuses (ANL, MIDI, MEGA) need their own holder and a little more space, but work well in distribution panels. Large lithium battery banks often require a Class T fuse because of its breaking capacity.
What does tinned surface mean for cable lugs?
Tinned copper cable lugs are coated with a thin layer of tin. It protects the copper from oxidation, which sets in quickly in the salty, humid air on board. Bare copper gradually forms an oxide layer that increases contact resistance, heats the connection and costs voltage. Tinned cable lugs keep the contact low-resistance for years and are standard on board.
Why do I need deep discharge protection?
Deep discharge protection automatically disconnects the service battery from the system as soon as its voltage falls below an adjustable limit. Standby loads and self-discharge therefore cannot drain the battery so far that it permanently loses capacity. This matters most in winter storage and during longer absences; with lithium batteries, the built-in BMS usually takes over this task.
