SAFE STEPS FOR CONNECTING SHORE POWER CORDS • Turn off the boat’s shore power connection breaker before connecting or disconnecting the shore power cord to the boat. • Connect the shore power cord to the boat FIRST. • Turn off the breaker on the dockside shore power pedestal before connecting the cord to the pedestal. • If your boat is equipped with a polarity detector warning indicator, look for reversed polarity and immediately turn off breakers and disconnect the cord if detected. • Always use locking rings to secure the cord, reduce stress on the connectors and prevent accidental disengagement. petroleum distillate.These products will soften the rubber sheathing and actually cause it to get dirtier faster. A magic eraser, good quality degreaser/cleaner and elbow-grease is the best at cleaning cords. Follow the cleaning with a sealer designed for protecting rubber and plastic from UV degradation. An easy way to protect your power cord is with a simple cover that wraps the cord with a Velcro closure.The covers are made of a durable Sunbrella material that keeps the cord from getting stained and marked on pier surfaces and pilings. To further reduce potential risks associated with shore power connectivity, investigate the use of SmartPlug TM cord-ends, which connect more securely and make disengagement less likely. For more information on shore power electrical ground fault issues, refer to the Shore Power Paradox article at marinalife.com/ShorePower m l
Cord cover
boat and look for discoloration or melting around the blades and the inlet. Also examine the receptacle on the dock and look for discoloration or deterioration around the slots. When, not if, your shore power cord’s end falls in the water, don’t just shake it off and plug it in.Thoroughly dry all the components, including rinsing with fresh water and drying to remove salt deposits. After drying, spray the end with electrical contact cleaner to disperse any remaining water. The process of repeatedly coiling and uncoiling shore power cords, whether in a
power retrieval system or by hand, can twist the internal wires within the outer casing.This twisting can lead to abrasion and resistance within the wires. I’ve seen cords spontaneously explode in the middle, where this abrasion and resulting resistance caused arcing within the cord. If your cord has visible signs of twisted wires within the cord, it should be discarded and replaced. While it may not be an electrical hazard, keeping the cord’s outer sheathing clean is equally important to maintaining the service life. Contrary to their popularity, avoid using any form of solvent or
To view this article online, visit marinalife.com/ElectricalCords
Plugging electricity from power source on dock into boat
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