In some ways, a boat’s electrical system is similar to that of other transportation methods. It requires a Battery Cable Wire, proper wiring and installation, and a regular maintenance schedule. However, any boat owner can tell you one of the most common issues they face with insurance companies is with the electrical system. These problems are often due to improvising completed by the owner or an electrician without significant research. To ensure you get your boat insured, make sure to avoid these common electrical system misconceptions.
Wiring Is Similar to Household Electrical Systems
A typical mistake many enthusiasts make with electrical systems is improper grounding. This wiring issue is due to the fact that boats’ electrical systems are one of the most troublesome and least understood aspects of the entire vessel. Unlike a household electrical system, a boat has four separate ground systems, which have to be properly implemented.
The Best Electrical Connections Are Soldered Connections
For household connections or various other land-based electrical systems, soldering is an excellent electrical connection. However, on a boat, you’re subject to vibration and moisture. Unlike stranded wires, soldering is not flexible and, therefore, will break very quickly. Instead of soldering, you should always use crimp-on connections.
All Batteries Are the Same
A constant aggravation source for boat owners is the battery. Typically, issues result from one of three primary reasons:
• improper wiring and/or installation,
• low-quality batteries, or
• poor maintenance and upkeep
A typical rule of thumb to follow when it comes to batteries is that they are worth the price you pay for them. For instance, if you buy a surprisingly discounted battery, it will probably be cheaply made (ex. poorly insulated casing, thin plates, etc.). A good boat battery is almost always a little bit pricey, but the peace-of-mind and reliability are worth the investment. Once you have a proper battery, you MUST have it correctly installed. This means you need a clean, dry location, and the right battery cable wire. Remember: if you can’t reach them once installed, you will not be able to maintain them properly. Therefore, if the battery placement is in an inaccessible site, you should always invest in cables that allow you to set it up accessibly.
Circuit Breakers Rarely Have Issues
Regrettably, circuit breakers are known for wearing out. When this happens, they either don’t work as well, or quit working altogether. In cases where the boat owner uses the circuit breaker like an ON/OFF switch, it will happen even faster. Not only that, but using circuit breakers as an ON/OFF switch will also risk damage to other parts.
Paint Jobs Don’t Matter
As ironic as it sounds, the bottom paint on your boat can tell you a lot about your electrical system. That’s because most boat paints are copper based. Therefore, if you see any sizeable burn marks around your underwater metals, you know you have a stray current issue. Thankfully, by using copper-based bottom paint, you will have a great last-resort indicator because of how intensely it reacts to stray currents. While it is easy to blame it on the marina or another boat, in most situations the source of the stray current issues is from the vessel on which the burn marks appear.
All Boat Electricians Attend Proper Schooling
Unfortunately, aside from ship electrical engineers and those who graduated from vocational schools, the majority of boat electricians are self-taught using seminars and other similar programs. Due to this possibility, it is essential to never make assumptions. You should always do your research. Your research should include but is not limited to: asking for a resume, reading up on customer reviews, and taking close note of how many years of experience they have.
For more information on common marine electrical misconceptions, talk to the skilled staff at EWCSWire today by calling 1-800-262-1598 or message any and all questions you may have to sales@ewcswire.com.
For more information about Fire Alarm Cables and Electric Wire Cable Please visit : Electric Wire & Cable Specialists (EWCS).