Blue Sea Systems AC Toggle Source Selector User Manual

Marine Electrical Prod

ucts

AC Main Source Selector Panels

PN 8132 / PN 3132 / PN 8161 / PN 3161

Panel Speciﬁ cations

Material: 0.125” 5052-H32 Aluminum Alloy Primary Finish: Chemical Treatment per Mil Spec C-5541 Final Panel Finish: Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane Circuit Breakers: Double Pole Carlingswitch B Series AC / DC Magnetic Breakers 65VDC/277VAC Maximum Amperage Rating: PN 8132 / 3132 is rated for 16 amp service PN 8161 / 3161 is rated for 32 amp service Voltage Rating: Panel is rated for 230 volts AC and is so marked in

Inches Millimeters

Overall Dimensions: 5-1/4 x 3-3/4 133.40 x 95.30 Mounting Centers: 4-7/16 x 2-15/16 112.70 x 74.60 Standards: This panel, when properly installed, complies with

The Purpose of the AC Main Source Selector Panel

Alternating Current (AC) power changes polarity 60 times per second in the US, Canada and Latin America and 50 times per second in Europe. This is the frequency of the power and is referred to as Hertz (or the now outdated term “cycle”). Because of this alternating nature of AC power, two live sources of AC power, such as shore power and inverter power, or shore power and a generator, cannot be electrically connected. The AC Main Source Selector panel is designed to connect two sources of AC power to a common circuit while preventing both sources from being connected to the circuit simultaneously.

order to comply with ABYC standards

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.

Document 9811 Rev.I

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

gasoline 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.

Guarantee

Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satisﬁ ed may be returned for a refund or replacement at any time.

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 then 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 then 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 source 1, source 2 and output wires

Install the feed wires from AC source 1 and AC source 2. 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 neutral current carrying wires (sometimes called ground) with the green 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 then 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 proper 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.

Installation (continued)

4. Interrupt Ratings

If complete ABYC compliance is desired, verify that the circuit breaker

supplied in this panel as shown in Table A meets the interrupt rating requirements of Table B.

5. Installation of Backlight System

The backlight board is a DC device. When installing it in an AC panel both wire leads must be connected to an appropriate DC source and ground.

Connect the yellow negative wire to a DC ground. Connect the red

positive wire to any DC positive supply, usually a switch that controls the vessel’s other nighttime illumination.

7. 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: 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 neutral and ground.

Blue Sea Systems AC Toggle Source Selector User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual