Regs clarification. Need input

[Ron20324]

If you are trying to build your own shore power cables, I'd suggest you don't. The premanufactured ones have molded ends that water cannot penetrate, and I don't think you can equal that quality.

To connect the bpoat to the dock pedestal supply are not the same thing as wiring that pedestal supply to the commercial electric supplier. You have not defined what it ias you are asking. Shore-side wiring come under a different set of regulations than portable A cords. You're looking for fine print, but are asking generalized questions.

 

[dlochner]

Got it, yes, I can see his perspective; but doesn't mean that this can't be done competently, at all.

If the most competent ABYC certified Marine Electrician won't install them, then I don't see why I should attempt to install them.

If a person can afford a $100K + boat certainly that person can afford a couple of hundred dollars to have a safe AC power cord, especially when the consequences of death to an innocent are so high.

 

[jviss]

I don't have a SmartPlug and won't be getting one. I never plug in.

 

[Ron20324]

I still don't understand the problem. Are these customer-owned, 'portable' cables, or marina owned, permanent cables?

 

[Justin_NSA]

I still don't understand the problem. Are these customer-owned, 'portable' cables, or marina owned, permanent cables?

Member cables. Every boat owner has their own that they plug into the pedestal. We're defining what a "legal" cable is and making it known it can't be keep laying on the dock.

 

[jviss]

Member cables. Every boat owner has their own that they plug into the pedestal. We're defining what a "legal" cable is and making it known it can't be keep laying on the dock.

Seems a bit kooky to me. You're expecting boat owners to install cables on the underside of docks, strapping them to structural, non-plank members. How are they supposed to do that? Plus, it sounds like permanent infrastructure to me, not "portable" power cables. Shouldn't the pedestals be installed on the docks so that this under-dock cable scheme wouldn't be required?

How long would these under-dock cables be? If they are longer than 50', is it acceptable to join two 50' cords? Three?

 

[Ron20324]

Member cables. Every boat owner has their own that they plug into the pedestal. We're defining what a "legal" cable is and making it known it can't be keep laying on the dock.

What's wrong with layng them on the dock. Who is bringing up this babble?

 

[dlochner]

What's wrong with layng them on the dock. Who is bringing up this babble?

Tripping hazard. Also subjects the cable to unnecessary wear from people and dock carts riding over them.

 

[Ron20324]

Tripping hazard.

So, next they will outlaw docklines ???

 

[dlochner]

So, next they will outlaw docklines ???

Probably not. However, prudent seamanship includes not stretching ducklings docklines across a dock which might present a tripping hazard at worst or impede access to the boat with a dock cart at the least.

Edit: Sometimes auto correct isn't very correct. I hope no one stretches ducklings across a dock, much less docklines.

 

[jssailem]

Justin writing rule is communication. They are your rules and as such “justification” is really not necessary. It is nice. Perhaps clarification can be accomplished by having examples. Maine Sail posts his gallery of shame ”burned out plugs and cables”. During a visit to Fisherman’s Dock in Vancouver BC they made it clear they only permitted commercial power cables attached to there power stanchions. There was a board showing approved cables and examples of burnt cables and fittings.

State the rules, communicate with orientation discussion and pictures or a board demonstrating failures.

 

[JohnShannon]

The Marino cable
EEL Cordset, 30A 125V, 12', YellowPart # CS30-12
is rated at 60C so already you have a problem with your temperature spec. Presuming your intention isn't to prohibit what everyone uses.

There surely must be a relevant UL test spec for cables in damp locations. I guess I would talk to Marino or Smart plug and try to figure out how to specify the cable. What problem do you have now that you are trying to solve? Are people using indoor type extension cords?

The second item would be how is the cable deployed, as noted you want it not to present a hazard ,tripping, dock cart or electrocution.

 

[jssailem]

I found the image of the Vancouver BC Board of Shame.

The items indicate to me the it is not always the product but the way it was installed or used that causes failure.

 

[Maine Sail]

NEC/NFPA goes to the dock pedestal. The ABYC standard cover anything down stream of the dock pedestal, including the cord-set..

 

[jviss]

I found the image of the Vancouver BC Board of Shame.

The items indicate to me the it is not always the product but the way it was installed or used that causes failure.

View attachment 182503

Yikes! Check out that 30A SmartPlug connector (orange).

 

[Davidasailor26]

Yikes! Check out that 30A SmartPlug connector (orange).

Yeah, having just installed a smart plug I wonder what happened there. Given that smart plugs are a pretty low percentage of the install base having one on the board of shame isn’t a great percentage. Though it is a small sample size.

 

[jviss]

Yeah, having just installed a smart plug I wonder what happened there. Given that smart plugs are a pretty low percentage of the install base having one on the board of shame isn’t a great percentage. Though it is a small sample size.

It looks like it burnt at the screw terminal.

 

[Hunter216]

Scroll down towards the end.

Shore Power - SmartPlug vs. 1938 - Marine How To

SmartPlug vs. 1938 In today's day and age it is far and few between that I come across products that: #1 Do as they say. #2 Are built to an exceptional standard. #3 Redefine what great is. The SmartPlug is one

marinehowto.com

Interesting review / comparison of the Smartplug and much more common connector.

I’m curious if many marinas are converting their pedestal connectors to Smartplug?

 

[Ron20324]

It looks like it burnt at the screw terminal.

IIRC when i cheg'd mine, the screw was already black? Maybe not.

 

[dlochner]

IIRC when i cheg'd mine, the screw was already black? Maybe not.

I believe the screws on the Smart Plug are color coded, so black, silver, and green.

It looks like the SmartPlug connector in the photo is attached to or associated the heavily charred 30 amp plug with the black cable. I'm wondering if this was a DIY adapter to connect a smart plug to a 30 amp receptacle.