If you find yourself considering the integration of a new electrical system on your boat, dock, or amphibious vehicle, it’s important to know what projects are going to require certified marine electrical wire. While some projects can use standard wire, it can be very dangerous to use standard wire in locations that really need Marine Electrical Wire . This article will give some examples of projects that would require marine-grade wire, and how marine-grade wire would ensure the safety of that project.
1. Replacing Battery Cables
Replacing battery cables is one of the most important projects that require marine-grade wire. Because battery compartments are in danger of coming into contact with moisture, marine-grade wire is absolutely necessary, especially if your vehicle will be operating in a saltwater environment.
Marine electrical wire has thicker, more durable insulation that helps it resist the moisture that could make its way into the battery compartment. Additionally, because battery cables connect to the engine, which often has more moisture than most places of boats, marine wires are necessary to ensure they don’t degrade during everyday use.
2. Wiring Dock Lights
Dock lights can make life incredibly easy if you happen to come back on your boat after sundown. Many people, though, make the mistake of using non-marine-grade wire for wiring dock lights simply because the lit area of your dock will be above the water level. In reality, wake, extra-high tides, and ocean spray can all introduce moisture to your dock light electrical system. This moisture will degrade standard cable significantly faster than marine-grade wire.
Marine electrical wire is manufactured using tinned copper, which makes the copper strands on the inside considerably more resistant to moisture and salt by coating them with an extremely thin layer of tin.
3. Wiring GPS Units or Fish Finders
Add-ons and accessories to your boat can help make boating more enjoyable and safe. In addition, it’s not always preferable to have portable GPS systems or smaller fish finder systems, both of which can be less effective than their hard-wired alternatives. If you find yourself thinking about adding one of these devices to your control panel, ensure that you use quality marine wire. While it is relatively easy to apply sealant to dials and control panel components that ship with the boat, adding your own hard-wired system can be much harder to seal effectively without greatly expanding the work required.
As a result of the increased difficulty of sealing off add-on systems, it’s important to stick with marine wire to prevent damage from spray that inevitably will be present. Even boats with fully-enclosed bridges are likely to be subject to increased moisture due to ocean spray, rainwater, or minor leaks in enclosing fabrics.
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When it comes to wiring in marine environments, you have to start with a new set of rules. The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has its own set of guidelines that differ significantly from wiring in terrestrial applications. Before you start your next marine wiring project, it’s important to reference these guidelines to ensure you are using the proper marine electrical wire and proper terminal connections to avoid the possibility of potentially catastrophic electrical failure. Knowing what to look for before you purchase your wire can help ensure that your boat is wired safely.
Marine environments have to deal with a lot of movement. Between the gentle rocking that experienced in your dock or harbor to the violent jarring when cutting through the waves, boats almost never standstill. Because of all this movement, it’s crucial to have flexible cables that can move without cracking their insulation or coming disconnected. In order to achieve this level of flexibility, marine electrical wires should use finely stranded conductors instead of a single solid copper core.
Though it is not officially frowned upon by the ABYC, using solid copper conductors for marine wiring can cause any exposed conductors to corrode. To avoid this corrosion, many manufacturers choose to make their marine cables using tinned copper. When you electroplate your copper strands with tin, the resulting conductor maintains excellent conductivity with a much lower reactivity. In marine environments where water and salt are common, these coated conductors will help avoid corrosion and will greatly increase the lifespan of your cables.
Another layer of protection that marine cables require is a high gradelayer of insulation. The engine room of a boat can contain water, gasoline, oil, abrasive surfaces, and other potentially corrosive substances. The PVCinsulationon your marine cables has to be able to stand up to any of these potentially damaging agents. If your insulaton is weakened by solvents like gasoline or oil it can break down, your cables can easily end up with exposed conductors and suffer from corrosion.
When you are installing your wires it is important to make sure you are using the correct terminals. All of the movement on boats can easily cause traditional terminals to vibrateloose. Terrestrial connections like wire nuts require at least one of the wires to feature a solid conductor, which makes them a poor choice for marine wiring. Instead, screw-in terminals should be employed for extra security. Wires should end in ring terminals and need to be securely crimped and secured with a shrink tube. This will create a remarkably stable connection that will not shake loose over time.
If you need the highest quality marine electrical wire, visit EWCS Wire today. We are an American manufacturer of high-quality wire and cable for a wide range of applications. Our marine wires and cables feature tinned copper stranded conductors and rugged insulators. If you are about to undertake a marine electrical project, be sure to review the ABYC guidelines and purchase quality marine wire from EWCS today.
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