VHF INSTALLATION

							    Captain Cliff Schmidt AMS
Schmidt Marine Specialties, Inc.
                  (952) 472-5061
TYPES OF SYSTEMS ABOARD
 Primary – 12VDC
    Always available
    Ships emergency systems use
       Bilge pumps and high water alarms
       Ventilation systems – blowers
       Running lights
       Horn
       CO2 alarms
       Smoke detectors
       Emergency communications
TYPES OF SYSTEMS ABOARD
 Auxiliary Power – 120VAC
    Not always available
       Shore power
       Generator
       Inverter
   Powers accessory systems not needed for operation of
    vessel
       Cooking
       Water heating
       Air conditioning
STANDARDS USED
 ABYC – American Boat and Yacht Council
 NFPA – National Fire Protection Association
 NEMA – National Electrical Manufactures Association
 CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
 SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers
 UL – Underwriters Laboratories Marine Department
 USCG – United States Coast Guard
DEFINITIONS
 DC grounded conductor – A current carrying
  conductor connected to a power source
 DC grounding conductor - A non-current carrying
  conductor to minimize stray current
 AC grounded conductor – A current carrying
  conductor that is intentionally maintained at ground
  potential – referred as the neutral (white) conductor
 AC grounding conductor – (green or green/yellow
  stripe wire) – A non-current carrying conductor
 GFCI – GFI – intended for protection of personal
DEFINITIONS
 GFP – A device intended to protect equipment
 ELCI – Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter
 Galvanic isolator – A device installed in series with the
  AC grounding wire to effectively block low voltage DC
  galvanic current but permit the passage of AC
  normally associated with the grounding (green wire)
  conductor
 Ignition protection – design & construction of a device
  that will not – ignite a flammable mixture or cause an
  explosion and is hermetically sealed
DEFINITIONS
 Over current protection device – Fuse, circuit breaker
 Polarized system – DC or AC ungrounded and
  grounded conductors are connected in the same
  relation in the circuit
 Sheath – A material used as a protective covering
 Parallel circuit – Running lights – common on vessels
 Series circuit – combing batteries – less common on
  vessels
 AWG – American Wire Gauge
SAFETY
 Know how to turn off or disconnect the power source
 Check circuits to confirm if they are ON, HOT or
  LIVE
 Always test your test equipment on a known on, hot or
  live circuit before relying on the tool or device
 Do not be in contact with bilge water, engines,
  plumbing, A/C systems, ect. when working on ANY
  system
 Use the ONE hand rule – put one hand in your pocket
SHORE POWER SYSTEMS
PROPER WAY TO UNPLUG
 Turn off all circuits on the vessels power center
 Turn off the main circuit breaker(s) on the vessel
  power center
 Turn off the circuit breaker(s) on the dock power
  pedestal
 Unplug the shore power cord(s)
 Stow shore power cord(s) to prevent the end from
  falling into the water
PROPER WAY TO PLUG IN
 Turn off all circuits on the vessels power center if using
  the generator - transfer to the off position
 Make sure the main circuit breaker(s) on the power
  center is off
 Make sure the circuit breaker(s) on the dock power
  pedestal is in the off position
 Inspect the shore power cord plug(s) for damage, if ok
  plug the shore power cord(s) in to the inlet(s)
 Turn on the pedestal circuit breaker(s) to on
PROPER WAY TO PLUG IN
 Go on the vessel
    check the power available light or meter
    check the power panel reverse polarity light – should be
     off/not illuminated
        if the reverse polarity light is ON turn OFF and disconnect the
         shore power cord have the dock power pedestal inspected by a
         qualified electrician for proper repairs
    if all is ok - turn on the main circuit breaker(s) on the
     vessel power panel
    Turn on the needed circuits
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC
SERIES CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC
SERIES CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC
SERIES CIRCUIT
   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC




   +
 12VDC
REMOTE CONTROL CIRCUIT
 Engine starting
 Anchor windlasses
 Some ventilation systems
 Bow and stern thrusters



                        +
                      12VDC   Engine
WIRE
  Wire should be of Marine Grade
  DC Wiring
    Voltage rating
      Conductors & flexible cords shall have a minimum rating of 50
       volts
      Shall be at least 16 AWG or 18 AWG inside a sheath

    Cables for boats – UL 1426
    Marine Engine Wiring – SAE J378
    Battery cable J1127 or J1128

  AC Wiring
    Voltage rating
      Conductors shall have a minimum rating of 600 volts

      Flexible cords shall have a minimum rating of 300 volts
WIRE TYPE
 Marine grade wire is stranded tinned copper wire
   Allows for flexibility
   Fatigue-resistant
   Corrosion resistant
   Oil resistant outer jacket
 Wire type NOT used
   House hold ROMEX – solid copper
   Welders Cable – poor jacket
WIRE TYPE
WIRE TYPE
GAUGE
 Wire gauge is the size (AWG) of wire to carrier the
  current in amps to power the device from the power
  source and back to the power source (round trip)
 The further the device from the power source the
  larger the wire gauge
 The larger the amperage draw the larger the gauge
 Wire runs from terminal blocks are measured from the
  terminal block assuming the feeder wire are the
  correct size
Table from West Marine
OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
 DC circuits
   Cranking motors – not required
   Charging systems
        Alternators - protection typically on engine
       Battery Chargers – Ungrounded conductor with in 7 inches of
        the battery and with in 7 inches of the charger
   Branch circuits – at point of connection to the panel
     Size is determined by device to be powered by manufacture
      specifications or use of an amp meter
   Overcurrent protection used in a explosive space shall
    compile to J1171 Ignition protected
 AC Circuits
    Voltage rating shall not be less than the nominal voltage
     of the supply circuit
    Overcurrent feeder protection shall open all feeder
     circuits simultaneously
        120 volt single phase 30 or 50 amp circuits shall open the hot
         (black) and neutral (white) simultaneously - double pole
        240 volt single phase 50 amp circuit shall open both
         ungrounded circuits
    Main shore power overcurrent protection shall be with
     in 10 feet of the inlet to main panel
    Branch circuits - at point of connection to the panel
    Reverse polarity devices
        120 volt system shall have a visible or audible signal
BASIC TOOLS
 Test meters
    Voltage tester
        Indicator light
    Crimpers and stripers
    Clamp meter
      Multimeter
      Amperage

    Multimeter
      Analog
      Digital
      May have an audible continuity tester
      May be a “Auto-ranging” type
BASIC TEST EQUIPMENT
Video Basic Test Light
CRIMPERS & STRIPERS
 Crimpers
    Compression
    Ratchet
 Stripers
ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
 Crimp type only
 Captive Ring
 Butt
 Heat Shrink
ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
 Other types
   Scotch Locks
   Wire Nuts
   Twisted wires with tape
ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
 Other types
   Scotch Locks
   Wire Nuts
   Twisted wires with tape
Video Basic Crimp
TEST EQUIPMENT
USING A MULTIMETER
 Know what you are testing AC/DC/OHM’s/AMP’s
 Have the leads in the correct jack for the desired test –
    incorrect jack use can damage the meter
   Test your meter on a known circuit before relying on the
    instrument
   Always perform continuity tests with no current present
   Always start on the highest setting and go down as needed
   Keep your fingers behind the guards on the probes
   Leads can be lengthened or use alligator clips
USING A MULTIMETER
 Working on voltages above 60VDC or 30VAC poses a
  shock hazard
 Never use the probes on a voltage source when plugged
  into the AMP jacks
 Replace the battery as soon as the battery indicator
  appears
 Turn off the meter when not in use
Video MM - Volt
ONBOARD A/C TEST EQUIPMENT
 Polarity indicator
 AC tester
Video Outlet Tester
Video Non Contact AC
Questions