Step aboard the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht with Jack Haines from YachtBuyer.
Faulty shore power connections pose significant risks that could lead to electrical failures, fires or equipment damage.
Riviera Electrical Design Manager Matthew Weetman says that boat owners sometimes struggle to find a reliable shore power connection between their motor yacht, lead and dock pedestal.
“You can often fix this issue by ensuring the shore-power lead is fully inserted into the inlet and that, when available, by using the locking ring (15 A or 32 A) to secure the cable to the inlet,’’ he says.
“Keeping everything dry is another challenge in the marine environment. Salt water, in particular, can damage critical connection points. You must regularly check that plugs show no signs of any corrosion.’’
Left: 3-pin 15A plug and right: 5-pin 32A plug. Both plugs have a clear casing to make checking for corrosion easy.
Here are some shore-power tips that Matthew says will help improve your boating experience.
- Only ever use shore-power cables that are designed and ceritfied for marine use with boats. When it comes to marine cord sets, you simply can’t skimp on quality.
- Check the condition of the cable before each use. Ensure there are no cuts or damage to the insulation, and no signs that the cable has been sitting in the water.
- Fully uncoil power cables before use and connect the yacht end first. When disconnecting, switch off the breaker on the power post first, then unplug the shore end of the cable, followed by the yacht end.
Top left: leave for enough slack in shore power cable to allow for winds and tidal movement. Top Right: ensure the breaker is switched off at the dock pedestal prior to unplugging from dock. Bottom left: Locking collar on a 15A plug helps enusre connection is secure. Bottom right: Ensure your connections on board are secure, clean and dry.
- Before disconnecting, check both ends of the cable for heat or discolouration. If heat is present it may indicate that the boat is drawing more much current than the cable is rated for, or that the cable or connections are damaged or corroded. If this is the case, switch off the breaker at the post, disconnect the cable and inspect for damage. Replace the plug immediately if there are any signs of damage.
- If leaving your motor yacht plugged in for an extended period, schedule monthly checks. This helps ensure the shore power connection and equipment remain in good operating condition.
Left: having enough slack in your shore power cable will reduce the risk of damage to the yacht inlet and marina. Middle and right: Have your cable, plugs and yacht connections assesed annually by a professional.
- When running a shore power cable make sure there is enough slack to accommodate tidal movement or high winds. A tight cable can place strain on the connection and lead to overheating or damage the yacht inlet or marina infrastructure.
- At least once a year, have your shore-power cables checked and all inlets on your yacht assessed by a professional to ensure there is no corrosion, damage or moisture ingress that could cause overheating.
- As you will usually be in a saltwater environment, check for signs of corrosion on the blades or pins of the plug. Any corrosion can result in poor electrical connections and heat build-up.
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