 Identifying Shore Power Connections
This can be tricky, especially when you’re standing in the pouring rain with your cell phone, trying to place an order for the adapter you need in order to get plugged in. Check the charts in our catalog carefully to ensure that you choose the correct cordsets and adapters for your boat.
Troubleshooting Shore Power
The majority of dock power troubles can be linked to two simple problems: overheating and saltwater immersion.
If you suspect a bad connection, turn off the dock power at the outlet and unplug the dock cord couplings at the outlet and boat. Inspect the male and female plug ends for signs of melting or corrosion. Inspect the outlet and the boat’s inlet for heat and corrosion damage.
Replace the connector immediately if you find signs of overheating. Be sure to inspect wire ends for signs of corrosion or overheating when replacing connectors. Marinco suggests that many dock cord connectors are replaced unnecessarily because boat inlet and dock outlet connectors are at fault. Be sure to inspect all components with equal care. If your dock cord connector gets dunked in saltwater, disconnect quickly and rinse well in freshwater. Dry thoroughly before use.
Plugging in Power Tools With Shore Power Adapters
Shore power adapters, which allow you to plug in a variety of cords to a marine power center, must be used carefully or they could inadvertently create a shock or electrocution hazard. When working around a boat, it’s tempting to use a shore power dockside outlet and an adapter to allow the use of a drill motor, sander, or other power tool. There are several problems with this solution:
- The only circuit protection is the 20 or 30 amp breaker on the shore power center, which will undoubtedly exceed the power rating of the cord that is plugged into it.
- There’s no operator protection from a GFCI, since that would normally be found onboard the boat, and there’s no boat involved. Therefore, the operator of the power tool, while using it in a wet environment, is in danger of electrocution. In fact, shore power centers are only intended to supply power to a boat, using an approved shore power cord, and not as general purpose AC outlets.
So what’s a boat maintenance worker supposed to do to keep safe? We think there are two possible answers:
- Plug the power cords into an outlet on the boat that is protected by a 15A breaker and a GFCI somewhere in the circuit.
- Consider buying a portable GFCI which can be installed inline on the power tool’s extension cord. See the Dockside 30A to 15A Adapter with Ground Fault Protection, Model 10066835.
Note: these connectors aren’t all the same size (despite the illustration). The 15A and 20A straight blades measure 1 3/8”dia. The 20A and 30A measure 1 13/16”, and the 50A is 1 15/16”. The connectors are usually marked with the rated voltage and amperage, but you may have to look carefully. The diameter of the circle formed by the connectors is the best indicator of 20A, 30A and 50A units. Examine connectors carefully, and never try to force mismatched connectors together.
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