Marina Branch Circuits

[jam]

I am a bit confused at the intent of paragraph 555.19(A)(3)concerning shore power receptacles...

"Each single receptacle that supplies shore power to boats shall be supplied from a marine power outlet or panel board by an individual branch circuit of the voltage class and rating corresponding to the rating of the receptacle".

Is this indicating that every boat "pedestal" which includes its own circuit breaker and receptacle must be fed with a separate branch circuit from shore i.e. a home run for every receptacle?, or can a single feeder supply multiple pedestals with the integral circuit breaker acting as the "individual branch circuit".

Thanks for any help.

 

[bennie]

Re: Marina Branch Circuits

Keep in mind the requirements in the NEC are minimum. These do not apply with a lot of boats and yachts in use now days.

Reviewing existing installations can be a real learning experience and save a lot of time and money.

Due to feeder and circuit length, mandatory ampacity, and number of devices, a marina can bite your pocket book, unless care and planning is in the design.

A main feeder, with taps at each slip, is the normal method. The demand factors in 555.12 can be applied for the feeder and service. Personally I would not apply them.

 

[charlie b]

Re: Marina Branch Circuits

My interpretation is that each receptacle on the pedestal is fed by a branch circuit that begins at the circuit breaker that is also on the pedestal. I can have one breaker on a distribution panel (located on the shore or on the dock) provide power to any number of pedestals, provided only that I select the cable sizes and breaker settings properly.

 

[physis]

Re: Marina Branch Circuits

I'm confused too. It seems to be writen to mean one of two things. Or both things.

One receptacle -- one branch circuit.

or

however many receptacles -- one branch circuit.

I think if it means both then it's existance is unnecessary being as how an OCPD is already manditory either way. Essentially it would only be saying "you need a breaker".

So it seems logical then that it means only one of the two. And being as how the reference is to "single receptacles" I'm going to "assume" it means the former. I figure it's Ok to use multiple duplex receptacles on a sinlge branch circuit without special permission.

But basically it doesn't matter because the way it's written says it's Ok either way. I think.

 

[frenchelectrican]

Re: Marina Branch Circuits

that is very true bennie :

i work on one of pier not too long ago it was kinda pain in the butt but bear in the mind that many vessels( boats etc) are comming with larger power service devices typically over 30 amps at 120 volts most common is 30 amps 120/240 volts single phase but other hand i have few slips (docks) have allready have 100 amps 120/208 volts three phase there . also few other items i did add on the pier is dock lighting with pedstill to make it easier to see where to hook up and some case i know they will add electronic meter there to find out the power useage ( that true for large one ) and mantory gfci for single phase appaction but i will try to find more details as soon i find my paperwork what i did


merci marc