Blue Sea Systems AC Main User Manual

Marine Electrical Prod

ucts

AC Main Panel

PN 8077 / PN 3077 / PN 8079 / PN 3079

Panel Speciﬁ cations

Material: 0.125” 5052-H32 Aluminum Alloy Primary Finish: Chemical Treatment per Mil-C-5541C Final Panel Finish: Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane Circuit Breakers: Double Pole AC / DC Magnetic Breakers 65VDC/ 277V AC Maximum Amperage Rating: 8077/3077-30 Amp service/8079/3079-50 Amp service 8177/3177-16 Amp service/8179/3179-32 Amp service Voltage Rating: PN 8077 / 3077 / 8079 / 3079 120 Volts AC PN 8177 / 3177 / 8179 / 3179 230 Volts AC Panels are rated for these voltages and are so marked in order to comply with ABYC standards.

Overall Dimensions: 2-5/8 x 3-3/4 66.7 x 95.3 Mounting Centers: 1-11/14 x 2-13/14 45.6 x 74.2 Standards: This panel, when properly installed, complies with all applicable Standards and Recommended Practices of the American Boat and Yacht Council as well as United States Coast Guard 33 CFR Sub Part 1.

The Purpose of a Panel

There are six purposes of a marine electrical panel:

• Power distribution

• Circuit (wire) protection

• Circuit ON/OFF switching

• Reverse Polarity Indication

• Metering of voltage and amperage (In panels with meters)

• Condition Indication (circuit energized)

Applicable Standards

• American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standards and Recommended Practices for Small Craft sections: E-1, E-3, E-9.

• United States Coast Guard 33 CFR Sub Part 1, Electrical Systems.

PN 8177 / PN 3177 / PN 8179 / PN 3179

Inches Millimeters

Document 9747 Rev.G

WARNING

@ It is not possible within the scope of these instructions to fully acquaint

the installer with all the knowledge of electrical systems that may be necessary to correctly install this product. If the installer is not knowledgeable in electrical systems we strongly recommend that an electrical professional be retained to make the installation.

@ If either the panel front or back is to be exposed to water it must be

protected with a waterproof shield.

@ The panels must not be installed in explosive environments such as gas

engine rooms or battery compartments as the circuit breakers are not ignition proof.

@ The vessel’s shore power cord must be disconnected form shoreside

power before installing this electrical panel.

@ If an inverter is installed on the vessel its power leads must be

disconnected at the battery before the panel installation. Be aware that many inverters have a “sleep mode” in which their voltage potential may not be detectable with measuring equipment.

@ If an AC Generator is installed aboard it must be stopped and rendered

inoperable before the panel is installed.

@ Verify that no other AC source is connected to the vessel’s wiring before

the panel is installed.

Blue Sea Systems Inc. Phone (360) 738-8230 425 Sequoia Drive Fax (360) 734-4195 Bellingham, WA 98226 USA E-mail conductor@bluesea.com www.bluesea.com

Installation

1. Disconnect all AC and DC power

Disconnect all AC power originating on or off the vessel. This includes inverters, generators, shore power attachments and any other device capable of supplying AC power to the ship’s circuits.

Disconnect the main positive DC cable from all batteries to eliminate the possibility of a short circuit and to disable the inverter while installing the distribution panel.

2. Select mounting location and cut opening

If this panel is to serve as your main shore power disconnect circuit breaker, select a location which is not more than 10 feet from the shore power inlet or the electrical attachment point of a permanently installed shore power cord as measured along the conductors of the feed wires. If it is more than 10 feet, additional fuses or circuit breakers must be installed within 10 feet of the shore power inlet.

Select a mounting location which is protected from water on the panel front and back and is not in an area where ﬂ ammable vapors from propane, gas or lead acid batteries accumulate. The circuit breakers used in marine electrical panels are not ignition protected and may ignite such vapors.

Using the panel template provided, make a cut out in the mounting surface where the distribution panel is to be mounted. Do not yet fasten the panel to the mounting surface.

3. Install feed and output wires

Install the feed wires from the AC source. Install the output wires. Refer to the wire sizing chart to select the correct wire size. Connect the black AC hot, white AC neutral and green AC safety ground as shown in the illustration.

Do not confuse the white AC neutral current carrying wires (sometimes called ground) with the green safety ground normally non-current carrying wires (sometimes called grounding). These two wires must be connected only at the source of power, nowhere else.

If the feed wires are from the shore power inlet or the electrical attachment point of a permanently installed shore power cord and the inlet or attachment point is more than 10 feet from this panel, additional fuses or circuit breakers must be installed within 10 feet of the shore power inlet. The measurement is made along the conductors.

Wire sizing chart

Use the wire sizing chart below to determine the minimum branch and feed

circuit wire sizes.

Note: This chart assumes wire with 105° C insulation rating and no more than 2 conductors are bundled. Not suitable for sizing flexible shore power cords.

4. Apply circuit labels and mount panel

Apply a label for the circuit from the 10 basic labels provided. If the appropriate label is not included individual labels are available from Blue Sea Systems for speciﬁ c applications. Refer to the label order form included with the panel for a complete listing of individual labels.

Fasten the panel to the mounting surface using the panel mounting screws supplied with the panel.

5. Testing

@ Connect the vessel’s shore power and verify the Reverse Polarity light

is not illuminated. If the red Reverse Polarity light is on then either the hot and ground or the hot and neutral wires have been crossed. Starting at the panel, trace the connections back as far as necessary to locate the error.

@ Using a multimeter where the power source is connected to the

panel verify: PN 8077 / 3077 / 8079 / 3079-120 Volt AC a 120 volts between hot and neutral (nominal, this may vary depending on source voltage) b. 120 volts between hot and ground. c. 0 volts between neutral and ground. PN 8177 / 3177 / 8179 / 3179-230 Volt AC a 230 volts between hot and neutral (nominal, this may vary depending on source voltage) b. 230 volts between hot and ground. c. 0 volts between neural and ground.

@ Turn on each branch circuit to verify power to each circuit.

Blue Sea Systems AC Main User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual