Preview: Boat Wiring, Part 5 – Overcurrent Protection

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Fire in a wire.  This graphic presentation shows what can happen when too much juice flows through too small a wire and how the situation can be prevented with overcurrent protection.  Even if your boat has little more than running lights or even just a bilge pump, you gotta see this one.

This video series concludes in Part 6 – The Two Battery System – Be sure to check it out.

See all 6 parts of our Boat Wiring Series

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6 Responses So Far to “Boat Wiring, Part 5 – Overcurrent Protection

  • Gary Ingraham says:

    Will the battery combiner system work with solar panels? I seem to recall from somewhere that solar panels didn’t put out enough charging current to make it operate correctly.

  • Charles Rider says:

    I am noticing different gauges of wire on the same circuit. It is very important that ALL wire and fittings on a circuit meet or exceed the rating of the breaker that feeds the circuit. It is fine to use oversize wire as I saw here (it keeps losses low) but never use #18 for any part of a 20A circuit.

    • Steve Stone

      Steve Stone says:

      Hey Oliver. In a week or two. We’re chomping at the bit too.

  • jason thatcher says:

    I had the unfortunate experience of smoking wires last season, and have yet to replace the electrical system.. that is priority number 1 before the boat goes into the water this spring ( whenever it may arrive!)

    I had a new battery at the beginning of last season.. did the incident harm the battery in any way? is there a way to find that out?

    I like the idea of circuit breakers, but my understanding is that the lines also need to be fused within a very short distance of the battery, before they even make it to the breaker panel. Perhaps this will be covered in the next installment? thanks.. jt

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