Safety and standards

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

Shore power brings 230 V on board, a voltage that is life-threatening in the event of a fault. A safe installation therefore needs more than a plug and a cable: circuit breakers, clean switching between power sources and protection against galvanic corrosion are part of it.

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. Shore power inlet outside: watertight, with protective cap, see shore power plugs.
  2. Shore power unit: as close as possible to where the cable enters the boat, with residual current device (RCD) and circuit breaker, see LAE shore power units.
  3. Changeover: when a generator or inverter is added, see AC source changeover.
  4. AC distribution: to the battery charger, water heater and sockets, for example via an AC panel.
The path of shore power

RCD and circuit protection

The RCD trips when current flows 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 further back in the distribution. ISO 13297 sets the requirements for AC installations on small craft.

RCD and circuit protection

Switching between shore, generator and inverter

Two AC sources must never be connected to the on-board network at the same time. A changeover switch ensures that only one source is active. 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.

Switching between shore, generator and inverter

Galvanic corrosion

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

Galvanic corrosion

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 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 earth conductor. The isolation transformer separates on-board and shore network completely and therefore offers the most comprehensive protection.

How do I switch between shore power and generator?

With a changeover switch that only lets one source onto the network. 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 where the shore power cable enters the boat. This keeps the unprotected cable on board as short as possible.

Questions about your system?We plan it with you.

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