Floating Dock Junction Box and GFI Protection

[mkgrady]

I need to replace of a splice box that is on a floating dock. A 6-4 type W cable is run from the fixed dock shack at the top of a gangway to a couple of marine shore power pedestals on the floats. The splice box is all wrong. It's just a PVC weatherproof box with romex connectors and a blob of sealant to keep to water. It is laying right on the dock. Its a real handyman type splice. I believe the splice is there to make it easier for the floats to be removed each winter. Otherwise the cord would be too long to manage.

The only thing I can think of is to install another pedastal where the splice is now. That would make for a very expensive splice box. Any ideas?

This circuit is also not GFI protected. It is fed from a homeline panel in the shack. I'm looking for a 2 pole 50 with 100Ma GFI protection. I can't seem to find one and I don't have a regular Square D supplier. Do they exist?

 

[mkgrady]

I don't think I have ever had so many views without a response.

 

[mgookin]

I need to replace of a splice box that is on a floating dock. A 6-4 type W cable is run from the fixed dock shack at the top of a gangway to a couple of marine shore power pedestals on the floats. The splice box is all wrong. It's just a PVC weatherproof box with romex connectors and a blob of sealant to keep to water. It is laying right on the dock. Its a real handyman type splice. I believe the splice is there to make it easier for the floats to be removed each winter. Otherwise the cord would be too long to manage.

The only thing I can think of is to install another pedastal where the splice is now. That would make for a very expensive splice box. Any ideas?

This circuit is also not GFI protected. It is fed from a homeline panel in the shack. I'm looking for a 2 pole 50 with 100Ma GFI protection. I can't seem to find one and I don't have a regular Square D supplier. Do they exist?

The box is not your problem. Your problem is the elevation of the box and the (lack of) seals. You can elevate the box and get waterproof seals or get a new box and start from scratch. A pedestal is another option but as you said, expensive.

No SqD in MA? Have you called your supply houses? That's their job. If they can't answer your question, then they have the phone number for SqD. Another option is the internet.

I don't think I have ever had so many views without a response.

I saw your post this afternoon between meetings and didn't have time to work on it. I did do a quick search for 2pole 50 gfci's & came across tons but didn't have time to see which ones (or if any) are 100ma.

Before we do all this work, what is your job? Commercial marina? Single family residence? Manmade body of water? Natural body of water? Tidal? Is this a 682 or 555 job?

 

[mkgrady]

The box is not your problem. Your problem is the elevation of the box and the (lack of) seals. You can elevate the box and get waterproof seals or get a new box and start from scratch. A pedestal is another option but as you said, expensive.

No SqD in MA? Have you called your supply houses? That's their job. If they can't answer your question, then they have the phone number for SqD. Another option is the internet.

I saw your post this afternoon between meetings and didn't have time to work on it. I did do a quick search for 2pole 50 gfci's & came across tons but didn't have time to see which ones (or if any) are 100ma.

Before we do all this work, what is your job? Commercial marina? Single family residence? Manmade body of water? Natural body of water? Tidal? Is this a 682 or 555 job?

I called the local square d supplier with the question on the breaker. They will call me back. I have been waiting since Tuesday morning. Seems like they should be able to do better than that. I looked on the Internet and could not find anything.

The job is a yacht club. 555

I bumped this thread because I didn't want it to get too stale and not be seen by many that might see it otherwise. I hope it didn't seem like I was complaining.

 

[buzzbar]

I called the local square d supplier with the question on the breaker. They will call me back. I have been waiting since Tuesday morning. Seems like they should be able to do better than that. I looked on the Internet and could not find anything.

The job is a yacht club. 555

I bumped this thread because I didn't want it to get too stale and not be seen by many that might see it otherwise. I hope it didn't seem like I was complaining.

If this connection needs to be disconnected and reconnected every winter, I would put a 60A pin and sleeve connection at the disconnection point. This way, you can safely disconnect (and coil up the W cable) each season. When the float is reconnected, you can plug it back in.

Is it just ONE "line in" and ONE "line out" in the junction box?

If not a pin and sleeve, I would use a proper NEMA 4X plastic box, and use proper W cable connectors with strain relief (stainless steel if on salt water of course). Also, if the splice box is below the datum plane (12" above deck generally), you must make sure to use splices that are submersible rated. It's all very doable, but not cheap. But nothing with marina work IS cheap.

This is the type of box that we use on when working on marinas:

They are about $30 each, and don't use any screws, which can corrode later on. I LOVE these boxes!! (made by Kraloy)

 

[mkgrady]

If this connection needs to be disconnected and reconnected every winter, I would put a 60A pin and sleeve connection at the disconnection point. This way, you can safely disconnect (and coil up the W cable) each season. When the float is reconnected, you can plug it back in.

Is it just ONE "line in" and ONE "line out" in the junction box?

If not a pin and sleeve, I would use a proper NEMA 4X plastic box, and use proper W cable connectors with strain relief (stainless steel if on salt water of course). Also, if the splice box is below the datum plane (12" above deck generally), you must make sure to use splices that are submersible rated. It's all very doable, but not cheap. But nothing with marina work IS cheap.

This is the type of box that we use on when working on marinas:
View attachment 15339
They are about $30 each, and don't use any screws, which can corrode later on. I LOVE these boxes!! (made by Kraloy)

Yes it is just one line in and one out. The cables is 6-4 type W. I use those boxes too anywhere outdoors. They only cost a little more than the common PVC box with the brass screws. Im having trouble picturing what the pin and sleeve connection would look like and what I would attach it to. Some kind of box I guess.