How to deal with a boat that is tripping the dock Ground Fault circuit breaker




Recently boaters have been coming across docks fitted with ground fault circuit breakers on their shore power receptacles.  This is in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code and applies to all new construction.  Eventually, as docks get rebuilt, all docks will be wired to this standard.  Unfortunately for some boaters their boats are having a hard time using these receptacles because they trip immediately on switching on the power.  This article is an attempt to explain what this is all about and what can be done about it.
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Sourcing High Voltage DC Equipment

I get asked all the time about high voltage DC applications.  Most equipment we sell at PKYS tops out at 48 Volts DC rating, only a few items are rated higher, and quite a lot have lower ratings.  Finding equipment for high voltage applications is not that easy.  
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ABYC standard for ELCI's explained


We all know that electricity and water don't mix.  What we may not be aware of is how many drownings occur every year because of electrical current in the water.  The new ABYC standard requiring ELCI circuit breakers on shore power service to boats is an attempt to reduce the amount of stray electrical current in the water - read below for an explanation of what this is all about.
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Ampacity Tables

I end up looking up this table so often I decided to post it on my blog
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Isolation Transformer or Galvanic Isolator - which is preferable?

A discussion on the relative merits of transformers and galvanic isolators
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Help - my batteries are getting HOT!

Help!  My Batteries are getting hot!  What should I do?
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When and where do we need to install a battery switch?

The ABYC standards say that a battery switch is required for all DC systems. One of the main reasons is that if a fault such as an electrical fire is discovered the system can be turned off quickly and easily. However certain circuits are exempt from the requirement to be protected by a switch. Do you know which ones?
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Overcurrent Protection

ABYC Standard 11.10 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION is a key section of the standards. The principal is very clear, an overcurrent device, such as a fuse or circuit breaker, needs to be placed within seven inches of where the conductor is connected to the source of power. The overcurrent device is protecting THE WIRE from carrying more current than it is able. What follows is an outline of this part of the standard but please see the disclaimer at the end.
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