Electrical connection to Marina's

[wheels 544]

I have just recieved the hard copy of the Austrailian/NZ standards AS/NZS 3004.1 & .2 2008 and am currently working through it.

The first comment I will make is, If you don't have to connect to a Marina DON'T!!! To become compliant is a mine field of requirements. It doesn't just cover the 230V side, but as soon as you need to have a eWOF, you have to have both AC and DC wiring up to the standard and that includes the installation of the batteries.

Now in saying that, it is all normal standard installation procedures and if you are intending on wiring a boat, then it will be a standard that any marine sparky should be wiring too anyway.

I see only one possible issue for especially the smaller racing hulls. An Earthing plate needs to be fitted to the Hull that is below water line at any angle of heel. I don't know how this will affect those that want the maximum speed from their hull they can possibly get.

Now to answer a couple of comments/questions we have all had. Firstly, at least from what I can find so far, (and I most certainly stand to be corrected if someone can point it out) there is no Legal requirement to have the boat hard wired if you do not wish. A flexible cable can be run from the Marina supply and to a portable supply box and there is no legal requirement to have that portable box screwed to the boat. The portable supply box must have all the normal legal requirements of RCD, and ciurcuit breakers to protect the outlet/s on that box. You can plug as many appliances into this box as the box is legaly and safely designed to supply. This portable lead/supply will need a standard eletrical inspection as should be able to be carried out by any appliance repair shop, or electrical inspector. This also comes under normal laws of Extension/supply cables as in AS/NZS3000. Which in a nutshell, if it was being hired, it would need a 6monthly test and a test before each occasion it was hired out, if it was used commercially, it requires a 12mth test and in private use, it doesn't actually have to be tested, but the Marina does have the right to not allow it to be plugged in without a test. I would hope the four yearly test would be appropriate, but this maybe where the 12mth comment came into the discusion we had elsewhere, as they could ask it to be tested 12monthly. There does not seem to be anything really clear in the 3004 standard on that.

 

Smithy was very kind enough to send me some 70 pages of this standard. That was a bit of a shock. Instead of me going through each item of requirement here, please ask a question if you have one and I will attempt to answer in reference to the standard.

Plus, I will try and include here that actual test that an Inpsector has to tick off. I think that will lay out off the requirments that you can then ask a question of, if a question so raises a question.

[rigger 47]

That is gret stuff Wheels,

That info sounds much more practical for smaller boats - and a lot cheaper, insteead of getting the inspector to the boat you can take the cable to the inspector.

[wheels 544]

Yeah but the only issue I see is arguing that point with the Marina's. I don't know where they got there info from. I think someone needs to approach a Marina and find out so as we can work backwards perhaps and try and put this point right. Or if I am wrong, for the actualy rule to be posted so as we can find it. There appears to be no information anywhere that I can find and as the 3000 standard does not go into Marina requirements, I can not see it as some side comment in there. I think if it was a legal requirement in the 3004 standard, then it would be plain and obvious. I am going to take several more looks through this thing incse I missed it. But it is nearly 70pages long.

[Guest]

There is another also going very deep into this and it's looking more and more like someone has interoperated the Regs a bit wrong.

[Murky 3]

Hmmm. Very interesting. Tutukaka Marina sent out a newsletter which wasn't as strongly worded as the Westhaven version sounds like it was, but still gave a similar impression with regards to the future use of power leads for dehumidifiers, battery chargers etc. Quite a big error if it turns out to be as it seems.

[Absolution 7]

Is this the solution then:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Camping ... 395395.htm

 

Or one of these with the 16A plug on the end:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Building-renov ... 075377.htm

[wheels 544]

Now that, is the very box that Port Marlborough are trying to seel to us here for $249, but it has a longer lead and 16A plug on the end. So someone is making a buck out of that. And they want that box screwed to the boat.

[Absolution 7]

Or maybe this one:

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Building-renov ... 951474.htm

[Absolution 7]

Now that, is the very box that Port Marlborough are trying to seel to us here for $249, but it has a longer lead and 16A plug on the end. So someone is making a buck out of that. And they want that box screwed to the boat.

 

They will supply for $110 + shipping for the same box with 10m lead and a 16A plug.

 

But will Westhaven accept it?

[wheels 544]

No it is certainly the first one. $110+ is more like what I would expect.

[Guest]

This was all discussed at the Marina Operators meeting last month so I would expect all marinas to be working to the same plan.

 

The question is, Did their 'consultant' read the Regs correct?

 

I'm being told if I screw the box to my boat I then become an other 'class' (a C950 with luck :) ) of something under the Regs which will lead to other 'must do' dramas.

[wheels 544]

Well that's as I understand it also KM. First issue, if you screw that box to the boat with the intention tomake it permanent, you then become a permanent or fixed installation. So then incomes all the requirements under the regs.

Second thing is, that electrical distro they are selling will then not legally meet the requirement of a permanent electrical installation. Namely because there is a Flexible lead being used. That at least was the law when I did my apprenticship. You could not use flexible cable in a permanent install. So if that has changed (and I doubt it) then it will be under the AS/NZS3000 regs. which I do not have.

[Jon 412]

I believe the difference is, is it a permanent connection or a temporary one

As soon as it's screwed to the boat you have to go the hole 9 yards

But if its temp eg; you will not leave it connected for more that 3 months at a time then all you need is a sticker on the lead and depending on the rating of the lead only run 1 or 2 appliances at a time.

This is from a qualified sparky that I know well.

[wheels 544]

But if its temp eg; you will not leave it connected for more that 3 months at a time then all you need is a sticker on the lead and depending on the rating of the lead only run 1 or 2 appliances at a time.

And that is pretty much the centre that the entire problem revolves around for most people. Most want to simply plug in 1 battery charger and/or 1 dehumidifier. I can't speak for other Marinas, but ours here are saying that you can not do this. Originally they said you could only use a temporary lead if you were present. Now they are saying you can not use a temporary lead at all, it must be installed and thus expecting you to screw that plug box to the wall to then make it permanent.

[wheels 544]

Rightyho then, here is the check list that an Inspector is going to tick off for a permanent install.

General:

Cables show no undue evidence of insulation or sheath deterioration and have appropriate mechanical protection for the envirnoment in which they are installed.

 

Electrical fittings in explosive gas area's have correct rating and are appropriate for the Zones (see clause 4.12)

 

Socket outlets exhibit no mechanical damage and show no signs of overheating

 

Lighting fixtures exhibit no mchanoical damage or evidence of overdue heating or arcing

 

Lamps do not exceed the wattage rating of the Fittings in which they are installed

 

LV AC systems and ELV DC systems are seperated

 

Electrical equipment is adiquately supported

 

Electrical equipment and fixed wired appliances forming part of the electrical installation are not damaged.

 

Continued

[Jon 412]

I know what they are asking for but thats not the regs and maybe we all need to stand upto this issue and not just all be headless muppets

I will get Paddy to cut in here. he's the sparky that I sail with, but I will need to track him down so don't hold your breath or only till you start turning blue then start again.

Just spoke to him and the key is portable appliances can be connected to a temporary lead for up to 3 months

[wheels 544]

Switchboards

DC & AC Electrical systems and systems of different voltages shall have the distribution from the different systems from either separate distrobution boards, or from a common distrobution board with a partition to separate the sections of different systems from each other.

 

Switchboard and electrical equipment have no conductor insulation deterioration.

 

RCD's, MCB's, Fuses and switches show no evidence of mechanical damage

 

Semi-enclosed rewireable fuses, where fitted, have no deterioratin due to arcing and have no exposed live parts when the fuse carrier is fitted into the fuse base.

 

Not: Semi-enclosed rewirable fuses are not permitted in new installations or in alterations and additions to an existing installation

 

There is adiquate insulation and distance between live conductors and between live conductors and earth; where conductors are Bare, refer to clause 4.7.7

 

Non-standard wiring identification label (if applicable)

 

Swtiches and protective devices are clearly labelled showing the circuit type the control or protect.

 

Instruments required by clause 5.4.6 and 5.6.3.2 are fitted.

 

For boats with an IT AC system, a continuously operating earth faulty or insulation monitoring and alarm system must be installed

 

When an inverter is installed, the hazard warning label required by clause 4.6.3 is fitted to or beside the AC switch board

 

Neutral bars are supported on insulated fittings

 

Where there are seperate earth and neutral bars, Earthing conductors are connected to the Earth bar and Neutral conductors are fitted to the Neutral bar

 

The main earthing conductor from the boats earth is correctly connected at the main Switchboard.

 

The switchboard is constructed and installed in such a manner that in the event of a fire, the spread of fire will be kept to a minimum.

 

RCD's installed for personnel protection have a residual operating current of 30mA or less.

 

Conductors are securely held in terminals of fittings and ae not subject to tension at the terminations.

 

Continued

[wheels 544]

I know what they are asking for but thats not the regs and maybe we all need to stand upto this issue and not just all be headless muppets

Yes that is exactly what several of us are all saying here.It will be good to have your sparky jump in here. Looking forward to his perspective.

[wheels 544]

Earthing and Equipotential Bonding

 

The main Earthing and Equipotential bonding conductor terminations are accessible

 

Earthing connections are mechanically sound and fixed by a secure system

 

Earthing and Equipotential bonding connections are protected against mechanical damage, corrosion and and vibration likely to occur.

 

Conductors of cables are correctly identified and are connected to the correct terminals of fittings.

 

The portions of the recreational boat earth inside the boat show no evidene of corrosion, damage or poor connection to the Earthing conductors.

 

continued

[wheels 544]

Fixed appliances

Appliances are correctly poisitoned and are suitable for the environment they are located in

 

Covers of fixed wired appliances are not broken or missing, giving access to live parts or basic insulation.

Note: Connections to electrical equipment must be enclosed and require the use of a tool to gain access. (my personal note, this includes access to behind the AC switchboard)

 

Electrical Appliances are correctly mounted and protected against mechanical damage

 

Electrical fittings in damp areas have the correct IP rating and are appropriate for the zone

 

Exposed metal liable to become live is connected to earth

 

continued