Wiring

[BobA]

Could anyone tell me what size wire would be best to run a shorepower installation, i have loads of flat twin and earth which i would use at home but is it suitable for using on a boat.
Bob

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[andyball]

Flat t & e would be a single solid core for each conductor....many would advise that you use something with stranded conductors to allow for movement/vibration. Having said that, budget-minded boaters do use it.

Size-wise, for a normal 16A max shorepower connection, I'd use at least 2.5mm sq. conductors



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[halcyon]

Back in the early 80's when boatbuilder's were fitting mains to production boats they used twin and earth, soon changed to flexiable cable due to failure of the single core. At the time we put it down to hull flexing, so if you have a simple system and can design the system to allow for movement, you may be ok. But at some point you may want to sell the boat, what a surveyer will say then could be different.

Brian

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[john_morris_uk]

My prefered choice is the blue 'Arctic type' cable. Its not very expensive and you can get it from B&Q etc. Make sure you put a RCD breaker as near to the point of entry to the boat as possible. If you are going to be plugged in for long periods in a Marina near other boats, most people would suggest a Galvanic isolator as well. Circuit breakers in each of the circuits you feed.

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[spark]

This is the stuff that you want -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html>http://www.qei.co.uk/spark.html

 

[sailorman]

the stuff u have is proberbly 2.5 sq m/m & single strand not suitable for an "extension lead".
u need a similar size in flex ie. multi stranded wire c/w weather -proof plugs / sockets.
get 2 shorter ones rather than 1 long one as they r easier to handle, if on a "drum" un-coil it prior to heavy loads otherwise u will have made a "heater"out of the coils.
u will also req a rcd+ mcbs in a weather-proof box, available screw-fix ( garage consumer unit)

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[Trevethan]

I've used armoured flexible three core. The armour is a bugger to work with, but I reckon its worth the hassle in terms of safety -- I have also linked the armour wires to the earth.

I think the BSS calls for it -- i fitted it knowing I'd want to moor in Limehouse marina, which is part of BW's fiefdom

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