When I turned shore power on (CD31) this spring, the ground fault circuit breaker (AC Main) popped. After experimenting I found that disconnecting my neighbor's shore power allowed me to turn on my breaker. Thereafter I can reconnect his cable and everything seems OK.
So there's a little stray current in the water! How bad is it? Is there something to be done? Should I report this to the marina? I get along well with my neighbor - so far.
P.S. I haven't seen any dead fish, crabs or powerboaters floating in the marina yet.
jesill@erols.com
A little stray current!
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: A little stray current!
John,
Element of confusion here. You state the GFI breaker is popping, but then call it the AC Main breaker. These are usually two separate breakers. The AC Main being the guy that provides 120vac power to the rest of the AC breakers on the AC distribution panel. These other breakers then would be where a GFI breaker would be located.
If what you say is true..that there is a stray current from your neighbors boat to yours, and it is popping either the Main Breaker OR the GFI breaker, then there is a problem. If the Main Breaker is popping, this is usualy a 20A breaker and is not GFI protected, as it is a breaker switch only. If this puppy is popping, then you have a potential killer in that there is a tremendous amount of current flowing from neighbors boat to yours (or vice-versa) in order for that breaker to pop. This could be fatal to anyone touching either boat at the same time (shrouds, anything metal, water..or swimming in the water between boats).
If only the GFI protected breaker for the interior receptacles is popping,, then there is a problem but the currents *may* be quite small compared to the above example.
I would tell the marina, then start checking out your own wiring from the service entrance to the breaker panel to the receptacles. All should be wired with 3 conductor 12AWG for a 15A receptacle. Check the wire hold down screws, or if the wires are pushed into the receptacles holes,make sure they are in tight. Visually verify everything you see.
There are of course two dangers here. The 'stay current' is a physical danger to you and those in either boat on either side of you, and probably across from you. It is also not good for the boat, as electolysis will occur.
Let us know what you find please!
Good Luck!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~~~~
In either case, determine which
demers@sgi.com
Element of confusion here. You state the GFI breaker is popping, but then call it the AC Main breaker. These are usually two separate breakers. The AC Main being the guy that provides 120vac power to the rest of the AC breakers on the AC distribution panel. These other breakers then would be where a GFI breaker would be located.
If what you say is true..that there is a stray current from your neighbors boat to yours, and it is popping either the Main Breaker OR the GFI breaker, then there is a problem. If the Main Breaker is popping, this is usualy a 20A breaker and is not GFI protected, as it is a breaker switch only. If this puppy is popping, then you have a potential killer in that there is a tremendous amount of current flowing from neighbors boat to yours (or vice-versa) in order for that breaker to pop. This could be fatal to anyone touching either boat at the same time (shrouds, anything metal, water..or swimming in the water between boats).
If only the GFI protected breaker for the interior receptacles is popping,, then there is a problem but the currents *may* be quite small compared to the above example.
I would tell the marina, then start checking out your own wiring from the service entrance to the breaker panel to the receptacles. All should be wired with 3 conductor 12AWG for a 15A receptacle. Check the wire hold down screws, or if the wires are pushed into the receptacles holes,make sure they are in tight. Visually verify everything you see.
There are of course two dangers here. The 'stay current' is a physical danger to you and those in either boat on either side of you, and probably across from you. It is also not good for the boat, as electolysis will occur.
Let us know what you find please!
Good Luck!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 ~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~~~~
In either case, determine which
John Sill wrote: When I turned shore power on (CD31) this spring, the ground fault circuit breaker (AC Main) popped. After experimenting I found that disconnecting my neighbor's shore power allowed me to turn on my breaker. Thereafter I can reconnect his cable and everything seems OK.
So there's a little stray current in the water! How bad is it? Is there something to be done? Should I report this to the marina? I get along well with my neighbor - so far.
P.S. I haven't seen any dead fish, crabs or powerboaters floating in the marina yet.
demers@sgi.com
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John Sill
Re: A little stray current!
To clarify: The AC Main and GFI breakers are ganged together, essentially three breakers in one, hot (30A), return (30A), GFI.Larry DeMers wrote: Larry,
Appreciate your information. I'm certainly going to check things over again and talk to the marina.
The thing I find confusing is that if I hook up first, the breaker doesn't pop. That makes me think it must be a small current or a very sensitive GFI.
jesill@erols.com
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John Nuttall
Which panel - Boat or Dock ???
Hi,
I (another 31 owner) have been following along, but now I am confused -electricity does that you know- as to which panel has the tripping breakers. The service panel on the dock (makes more sense to find ganged breakers there) or the distribution panel on the boat??
John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC
ps John Sill, where is your 31 ?
nuttallj@msn.com
I (another 31 owner) have been following along, but now I am confused -electricity does that you know- as to which panel has the tripping breakers. The service panel on the dock (makes more sense to find ganged breakers there) or the distribution panel on the boat??
John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC
ps John Sill, where is your 31 ?
nuttallj@msn.com
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John Sill
Re: Which panel - Boat or Dock ???
John,
The circuit breaker is the AC Main on the boat's distribution panel.
John Sill
S/V Beholder's Eye
Deale MD
jesill@erols.com
The circuit breaker is the AC Main on the boat's distribution panel.
John Sill
S/V Beholder's Eye
Deale MD
John Nuttall wrote: Hi,
I (another 31 owner) have been following along, but now I am confused -electricity does that you know- as to which panel has the tripping breakers. The service panel on the dock (makes more sense to find ganged breakers there) or the distribution panel on the boat??
John Nuttall
s/v Aimless
CD31 #28
Oriental, NC
ps John Sill, where is your 31 ?
jesill@erols.com
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M. R. Bober
Try this URL
www.electrician.com
Go to the bulletin board. They are a pretty sharp bunch. OBTW GFIs are really sensitive especially in a moist area. I had similiar trouble;turned out to be a short in the hotwater heater (short to ground) The GFI would trip before the hot water heater circuit was energized. Keep an eye on the state on your zincs until you get this resolved.
Every best wish,
M
thebobers@erols.com
Go to the bulletin board. They are a pretty sharp bunch. OBTW GFIs are really sensitive especially in a moist area. I had similiar trouble;turned out to be a short in the hotwater heater (short to ground) The GFI would trip before the hot water heater circuit was energized. Keep an eye on the state on your zincs until you get this resolved.
Every best wish,
M
thebobers@erols.com