philippi AC shore power units LAE – safe shore power for boats & yachts
philippi shore power units allow 230 V shore power to be taken on board sailing yachts and motor boats safely and in line with standards. They combine RCBo residual current protection, circuit protection and – in the latest generation – microprocessor-controlled fire protection in one compact unit. All philippi shore power units comply with DIN EN ISO 13297 and contain only tested quality components.
In brief: For a standard-compliant shore power connection on boats, ISO 13297 requires a double-pole circuit breaker and a residual current device (RCD) with a 30 mA tripping current. philippi uses combined RCBo circuit breakers in its shore power units, which combine both functions in a compact way. How shore power, changeover and galvanic isolation work together is explained on the topic page Shore power on boats.
What is an RCBo and why is it required?
An RCBo (residual current circuit breaker with overcurrent protection) combines a residual current device (30 mA personal protection) and a double-pole circuit breaker in a single unit. It protects against residual currents (electric shock), overload and short circuit at the same time – meeting the requirements of DIN EN ISO 13297 for 230 V installations on boats and yachts.
All philippi shore power units at a glance
LAE 101 – compact basic unit (panel mounting)
Shore power unit for 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko socket for the 230 V on-board supply. Mains indicator lights show correct connection. Rear connection via feed-through terminals. Dimensions W 185 × H 150 × D 100 mm. The LAE 101 is the simplest complete shore power unit for panel mounting – with RCBo protection, mains indicator and Schuko socket.
LAE 113 – complete shore power unit with 3 load circuits
Shore power unit for 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko socket. Mains indicator lights show correct connection. 3 double-pole circuit breakers (10 A) for sockets, water heater and battery charger. Rear connection via feed-through terminals. The LAE 113 is the most popular unit for medium-sized sailing yachts: RCBo protection, polarity indicator, Schuko socket and three protected load circuits on one panel.
LAE 211 – splash-proof unit in plastic housing (IP X4)
Shore power unit for AC 230 V/50 Hz with Schuko socket. A mains indicator lamp shows the mains status. Mains connection inside directly to the terminals of the RCBo, cable entry via cable gland. Splash-proof all-plastic housing with hinged lid, IP X4 – the right choice for damp or exposed locations such as cockpit or stern locker.
LAE 232 – panel mounting with 2 load circuits (Series 200 format)
Shore power unit with RCBo (16 A/30 mA), mains indicator and 2 double-pole thermal circuit breakers 10 A for AC 230 V/50 Hz. Matches the Series 200 circuit distributors, connection via rear terminals, rear construction finger-safe. Dimensions W 105 × H 210 × D 100 mm. A rear cover must be provided on site.
LAE 235 – panel mounting with Schuko socket (Series 200 format)
Shore power unit with RCBo (16 A/30 mA), mains indicator and Schuko socket for AC 230 V/50 Hz. Matches the Series 200 circuit distributors, connection via rear terminals, rear construction finger-safe. Ideal as a single unit in existing Series 200 panel rows. A rear cover must be provided on site.
LAE 236 – expansion distributor with 6 AC load circuits
6 circuits with double-pole thermal rocker circuit breakers 10 A for AC 230 V/50 Hz, matching the Series 200 circuit distributors. Dimensions W 105 × H 210 × D 70 mm. Important: the LAE 236 has no RCBo of its own and requires upstream RCBo protection. A rear cover must be provided on site.
LAE 320 – with arc fault detection device AFDD (IP 65)
Shore power unit with fire protection switch for 230 V/50 Hz. The indicator lamp of the circuit breaker shows the mains status; the mains connection is made inside directly to the terminals of the RCBo-AFDD.
The residual current device with AFDD trip unit combines electromechanical residual current and circuit protection with microprocessor-controlled arc fault protection. It detects series arcs (crushed or kinked cables, damaged insulation, loose contacts) and parallel arcs (insulation faults between L and N or PE), reducing the risk of an electrical fire. The LAE 320 is the safest shore power unit in the range – especially recommended for older or extended installations.
LAU series – automatic changeover units (shore power / generator / inverter)
LAU units switch automatically between several input sources and are the solution for systems with a generator, inverter or several shore power feeds:
| Model | Inputs | Circuit breaker | Max. current | Feature |
|---|
| LAU 216 F | 2 | RCBo 16 A/30 mA | 16 A | For generators up to 4 kW, 2 sources |
| LAU 325 F | 3 | RCBo | Shore/inverter 16 A, generator 25 A | For generators up to 5.7 kW, 3 sources |
| LAU 340 F | 3 | RCBo 40 A/30 mA | Shore/inverter 16 A, generator 40 A | For generators up to 9 kW, 3 sources |
The changeover units measure the input voltage and only switch to the on-board system once the nominal voltage is stable – generators are only connected after reaching their nominal voltage.
All models compared
| Model | Housing | Protection | RCBo | AC circuits | Schuko | Feature |
|---|
| LAE 101 | Panel | – | 16 A/30 mA | – | Yes | Compact unit |
| LAE 113 | Panel | – | 16 A/30 mA | 3 × 10 A | Yes | Best seller |
| LAE 211 | Plastic | IP X4 | 16 A/30 mA | – | Yes | Splash-proof |
| LAE 232 | Panel mount | – | 16 A/30 mA | 2 × 10 A | – | Series 200 format |
| LAE 235 | Panel mount | – | 16 A/30 mA | – | Yes | Series 200 format |
| LAE 236 | Panel mount | – | none (external) | 6 × 10 A | – | Expansion only |
| LAE 320 | Plastic | IP 65 | RCBo + AFDD | – | – | Fire protection |
| LAU 216–340 F | Plastic | IP X4 | see table above | – | – | Automatic changeover |
Frequently asked questions about philippi shore power units
Which standard applies to shore power on boats?
For the 230 V side on boats, DIN EN ISO 13297 applies. At the shore connection it requires double-pole circuit protection and a residual current device with a tripping current of no more than 30 mA. philippi shore power units meet both with combined RCBo circuit breakers. How shore power, changeover and galvanic isolation work together is explained on the shore power topic page.
What is an AFDD and when do I need one?
An AFDD detects arc faults before they lead to a fire. It evaluates the current and voltage waveform and trips on series arcs, for example at crushed or kinked cables and loose contacts, and on parallel arcs between conductors. It is particularly recommended for older installations and cruising yachts with long shore power cables.
What is the difference between LAE and LAU?
LAE units are designed for exactly one input source, usually shore power from the dock, and are available for panel mounting, in a splash-proof housing or in the Series 200 format. LAU units switch automatically between several sources such as shore power, generator and inverter, and only release a source once its nominal voltage is stable.
Can I fit an LAE 232 or LAE 235 into my existing philippi switch panel?
Yes. LAE 232 and LAE 235 have the format of the Series 200 circuit distributors and fit seamlessly into existing panel rows, visually and technically. They are connected via rear terminals, and the rear construction is finger-safe. A rear cover must be provided on site.
Do I need a separate RCBo unit with the LAE 236?
Yes, absolutely. The LAE 236 is a pure expansion distributor with six double-pole 10 A circuit breakers and has no residual current protection of its own. It may only be operated downstream of a unit with RCBo, for example an LAE 232 or LAE 235. This keeps all six circuits protected by the 30 mA personal protection.
