Safety and standards

Shore power on board.Connecting, protecting and switching safely.

Shore power brings 230 V on board, a voltage that can be lethal in the event of a fault. A safe installation therefore consists of more than a plug and a cable: protective switches, clean switching between power sources and protection against galvanic corrosion are part of it.

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Shore power on board: connecting, protecting and switching safely
  • 230 Vsafely on board
  • ISO 13297standard for AC installations
  • 3 sourcesshore, generator, inverter

The path of shore power

  1. Outdoor shore power inlet: watertight, with a protective cap.
  2. Shore power unit: as close as possible to where the cable enters the boat, with residual current device (RCD) and circuit breaker.
  3. Changeover: when a generator or inverter is added.
  4. AC distribution: to the battery charger, water heater and sockets.
The path of shore power

RCD and circuit breaker

The residual current device trips when current leaks along a wrong path, for example through a person or through water. The circuit breaker protects the cables against overload and short circuit. Both belong in the shore power unit, not only in the distribution further back in the boat. The standard ISO 13297 sets out the requirements for AC installations on small craft.

RCD and circuit breaker

Switching between shore, generator and inverter

Two AC sources must never be connected to the on-board system at the same time. A changeover switch ensures that only one source is ever connected. Manual cam switches are simple and robust. Automatic changeover units switch by themselves as soon as shore power is present or the generator runs, and can include the inverter if required.

Switching between shore, generator and inverter

Galvanic corrosion

Through the protective earth of the shore supply, your boat is connected to other boats on the pontoon. Currents can flow that attack anodes, saildrive or propeller. A galvanic isolator in the protective earth blocks these small DC voltages. An isolation transformer separates the on-board system completely from the shore supply.

Galvanic corrosion

Matching products.From our range.

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Shore power unit LAE 211 Shore power unit LAE 211€199,00View › Shore power connection unit LAE 220 Shore power connection unit LAE 220€159,00View › Shore power unit LAE 230 Shore power unit LAE 230€299,00View › Shore Power Circuit Breaker LAE 205 Shore Power Circuit Breaker LAE 205€94,00View › Automatic Shore Power Generator/Inverter Transfer Switch LAU 216 Automatic Shore Power Generator/Inverter Transfer Switch LAU 216€345,00View › Country generator switch CAG 20 LG Country generator switch CAG 20 LG€166,00View › Galvanic Isolator GI Galvanic Isolator GI€129,00View › Isolation Transformer Mass GI 3.5 Isolation Transformer Mass GI 3.5€1.332,80View ›

Categories.The full range.

Frequently asked questions.Short answers.

Do I need an RCD on board?

Yes. A residual current device belongs in every shore power installation, as close as possible to the shore inlet. It trips before a fault current becomes dangerous to people.

What is the difference between a galvanic isolator and an isolation transformer?

The galvanic isolator blocks small DC voltages in the protective earth. The isolation transformer separates the on-board and shore systems completely and thus offers the most comprehensive protection.

How do I switch between shore power and generator?

With a changeover switch that only ever lets one source onto the on-board system. This can be done manually with a cam switch or automatically with a changeover unit.

Where is the shore power unit installed?

As close as possible to the point where the shore power cable enters the boat. This keeps the unprotected cable on board as short as possible.

Read more.In the philippi Academy.

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