Marina AC supply safety

[spottydog]

Could a knowledgeable person advise me of the correct earthing arrangement for shore power. A local small marina has recently provided shore power, they didn't use a recognised electrician and just ran cables from the distribution box to the berths. Some of the runs are nearly 200m. Am I correct in thinking this isn't necessarily the safest option?

 

[savageseadog]

If it's not been tested and certified by a qualified electrician they are breaking the law. I'm not one for over the top safety but this is a stuation where it has to be done properly.

 

[FlorealIII]

Are these cables earthed? Do they have a circuit breaker for stray current? Be very careful!

 

[exfinnsailor]

All the leads should be fed from an RCD box .. It is very dangerous just running cables all over the place .. Electricity and water dont mix at the best of times so this is just an accident waiting to happen .. Perhaps it should be reported to the Health and Saftey Executive before someone dies .. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif .. I bet their Insurance Company dont know about it ..

 

[Gumpy]

Not only is it not the safest option its also against the regs.
BS7671:2008 states that there should be no more that 4 outlets at each enclosure and they should be as close as possible to the berth.
Also at 200m you would need cable that is 3 times the size of standard flex to reduce the voltage drop enough to comply with BS7671:2008.....

If you want more info PM me

 

[spottydog]

Thanks for the response, Should the earth spikes be as close to the enclosures as practical or do you have just one at the main distribution box.

 

[Gumpy]

If it is wired according to the regs all earth connections should go back to the main supply and the earth should be there. This may well be back at the substation.