Last year my marina "upgraded" our electrical service. Ever since I can not plug into a post (any post, have tried several) with out popping the breaker in the new panel. Didn't have any issues prior and do not have any issues at other marinas. Any suggestions on where to start looking to resolve this ? thanks.
Shore Power breaker popping off when plugging in
- Thread starter jack6878
- Start date
I would venture to guess that you are tripping the ground fault protection. This will happed when the difference between the current in the live and the current in the neutral is greater than some pre determined amount. (Could be 5, 20 or 30 milliamps). The assumption is that that is caused by a leakage to ground, which is a dangerous or at least undesirable condition.
One way to trouble shoot this is start by plugging in your cord alone, with nothing on the end. If that does not cause the trip try combinations of adding stuff, e.g. plug in to boat with all breakers, including the main off and then add stuff till the trip occurs.
Good luck and be safe.
One way to trouble shoot this is start by plugging in your cord alone, with nothing on the end. If that does not cause the trip try combinations of adding stuff, e.g. plug in to boat with all breakers, including the main off and then add stuff till the trip occurs.
Good luck and be safe.
Good advice.
You might also want to ask them what they meant by "upgrading." While electrical stuff is voodo to many sailors, some specifics here might help us to help you.
You might also want to ask them what they meant by "upgrading." While electrical stuff is voodo to many sailors, some specifics here might help us to help you.
Marinco makes testers that I use to take with me when setting up dock lines for boats sold to my customers to check the integrity of the marina shore power. If there was a problem, the marina was notified. If not, then I would be testing the area with a sacrificial zinc to see if any nearby boats were discharging into the water that is of course no issue with the boat.
You don't say what "new panel". Is this new panel on your boat or on the dock..?
The main AC breaker, on your boat, should be OFF as should ALL other AC loads BEFORE plugging into shore power.....
Step #1 Turn off main AC breaker and all branch AC breakers
Step #2 Plug into shore pedestal
Step #3 Turn on Main AC breaker in your AC panel
Step #4 Turn on only the necessary AC load breakers you need
If you do this correctly, and it still trips, start with just the main breaker, no loads. If it still trips then it could be at the dock but could be at your inverter or on-board panel too. Have the pedestal tested for polarity and ground faults or use a tester yourself if you have the adapters to do so...
The main AC breaker, on your boat, should be OFF as should ALL other AC loads BEFORE plugging into shore power.....
Step #1 Turn off main AC breaker and all branch AC breakers
Step #2 Plug into shore pedestal
Step #3 Turn on Main AC breaker in your AC panel
Step #4 Turn on only the necessary AC load breakers you need
If you do this correctly, and it still trips, start with just the main breaker, no loads. If it still trips then it could be at the dock but could be at your inverter or on-board panel too. Have the pedestal tested for polarity and ground faults or use a tester yourself if you have the adapters to do so...