Blue Sea Systems PN 8363 User Manual

Marine Electrical Prod

ucts

AC Rotary Switch Panel

2 Positions + OFF, 3 Pole

Features

• Switches 2 - 120/240 V AC Sources

• Compact solution when circuit protection is provided elsewhere

• Allows connecting one of two different AC sources to one circuit

• Heavy duty industrial rated switches

• Intuitive function - One handed operation

• Green power available LED indicators

• Red reverse polarity LED indicators

• UL listed switches

Panel Specifi cations

Voltage Rating: Panels are rated for 120 volts AC
Amperage Rating:
Panel 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

Maximum Wire Size: 6 AWG
Minimum Wire Size: 12 AWG
Terminal Recommended Torque: 40 lb-in.

Inches Millimeters

Overall Dimensions: 5-1/4 x 3-3/4 133.35 x 95.25
Mounting Centers: 4-7/16 x 2-15/16 112.71 x 74.61
Mounting Depth: 3-13/46 96.84

65 amp maximum service

PN 8363

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 switch front or back is to be exposed to water it must be

protected with a waterproof shield.

@ The switch must not be installed in explosive environments such as

gasoline engine rooms or battery compartments as the switches
are not ignition proof.

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

power before installing this electrical switch.

@ 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 switch is installed.

@ Verify that no other AC or DC source is connected to the vessel’s

wiring before the switch 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.

Document 6632 Rev.B

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 switch.

2. Select mounting location and cut opening

Select a mounting location which is protected from water on the front
and back of the switch and is not in an area where fl ammable vapors
from propane, gas or lead acid batteries accumulate. AC rotary
switches 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 Shore Power and AC Generator. Install
the output wires. Refer to the wire sizing chart to select the minimum
wire size. Connect wires as shown in the illustration. To avoid excess
wire temperatures when cooling may be limited, we recommend using
at least 12 gauge wire for 30A and 8 gauge wire for 50A.

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.

A double pole circuit breaker must be installed within 10 feet of the
shore power inlet, ahead of this switch. The measurement is made
along the conductors.

Blue Sea Systems Inc. Phone [phone]
425 Sequoia Drive Fax [phone]
Bellingham, WA 98226 USA E-mail [e-mail]
www.bluesea.com

The switch provides switching, but does not provide circuit protection.
It is not a substitute for a main circuit breaker.

Wire sizing chart

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

feed circuit wire sizes.

4. Testing Connections

It is very important that the wiring be connected according to the
diagram. The line and neutral from each source must be paired
together and not connected such that the switch selects line from one
source and neutral from another. Verify the connections and see that
each connection is securely tightened, including the terminals for the
jumpers installed on the switch where no wires are attached.

It is possible to verify the connections using an ohmmeter before power
is applied. These procedures take a little time, but are recommended,
especially if some elements of a previous installation might not have
been properly labeled or followed the expected color codes.

Installation (continued)

@ Test Shore Connection to Switch

Disconnect the shore power cord from the shore power source

and bring the shore plug aboard to a point close to the switch
panel. Connect the other end of the shore cord to the boat’s
power inlet. Turn ON the shore power circuit breaker between the
inlet and the selector switch. Set the selector switch to OFF.

a. Use an ohmmeter to check for continuity from the shore

ground plug to the green wire at the electrical panel.

b. Check for continuity from the power cord plug neutral

pin to the neutral wire at the selector switch. [7]

c. Check for continuity between each line pin of the shore

plug and the line wire at the selector switch. [3], [11]

d. Check that there is a high resistance between (>1000

Ohms) the neutral conductor and the grounding
conductor.

e. Verify that there is a high resistance between (>1000

Ohms) between the shore cord plug neutral pin and
each line pin. There may be indicator lamps in the
circuit, but no more than that with the selector switch in
the off position.

@ Verify Switch Selects Shore Input

With the shore cord still disconnected from the shore and

available onboard, and the generator set not operating, set the
load circuit breakers to off, so there is no load at the output side of
the selector switch.

a. Verify that the there is a high resistance between each

line and neutral of the load side terminals of the
selector switch. There may be indicator lamps still
attached, so it may not read open circuit. [2] to [6], [6]
to [10]

b. Set the selector switch to SHORE. The ohmmeter

should still indicate a high resistance, for the same
tests.

c. Short each line pin to the neutral pin of the shore cord

and verify that each line and neutral at the load side of
the selector show a low resistance when these are
shorted and a high resistance when they are not.

@ Verify the Generator Wiring

Turn the generator circuit breaker to OFF and set the selector

switch to the generator position. All load circuit breakers should
still be off. Leave the shore input circuit breaker in the on
position.

a. Verify that there is a high resistance (>1000 Ohms)

from each line to neutral. [2] to [6], [6] to [10]

b. Verify that there is a low resistance from the neutral to

ground at the load connections. [6] to [ground]

c. With the generator still not running, close the generator

circuit breaker at the generator. Verify that there is a
now a low resistance from each line to neutral where
the generator windings are now connected across the
circuit.

d. Verify that there is still a high resistance from neutral

to ground and neutral to each line at the shore power
plug.

@ Set the Selector switch to OFF, turn the shore power breaker

to OFF, and leave the load panel circuit breakers in the OFF
position.

 Set your multimeter to volts.

5. Apply circuit labels and mount panel

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

6. Testing Performance

@ Test Shore Power

Connect the shore power cable to the shore power source. Turn

on the shore source to make power available to the boat.

a. Turn the selector switch to SHORE. No Reverse

Polarity lights should be lit, and power available should
be indicated. If any red Reverse Polarity lights are on,
turn off the shore power circuit breaker and disconnect
the shore cord at the shore source. Either the hot and
neutral or hot and ground wires have been reversed.
Starting at the distribution panel, trace the connections
as far back as necessary to locate the error.

b. If there are no indications of reverse polarity, check to

see that power is available. If the electrical distribution
panel has a meter, verify that shore power is available
and at the proper voltage. If there is no meter, turn
on the load circuit breaker for an AC circuit powering
a convenience outlet and use a voltmeter to verify
that power is available from line to neutral at the plug.
Verify that there is no voltage between ground and
neutral.

@ Test Generator System

Turn the circuit breaker at the shore source to OFF. Set the

selector switch to OFF. The shore power available lights should
all be off. Start the generator and turn the generator breaker to
ON.

a. The power available light for the generator output

should light. The reverse polarity light should be off.

b. There should be no power available indication at the

shore power circuit breaker.

c. Set the selector switch to GENERATOR. Power

should be available at the power distribution panel. If
the electrical distribution panel has a meter, verify that
power is available and at the proper voltage.

d. There should be no power available lights indicating at

the shore circuit breaker, or the shore indicator of this
panel.

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.

Related Products from Blue Sea Systems

• High Amperage Fuses and Circuit Breakers for positive feed wires

• High Amperage Battery Switches

• Terminal Blocks and Common Bus Connectors

• AC Distribution Panels

• DC Distribution Panels

• AC and DC Digital and Analog Voltmeters and Ammeters

Useful Reference Books

Calder, Nigel, 1996: Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,
2nd edition, Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, Inc.
Wing, Charlie, 1993: Boatowner’s Illustrated Handbook of Wiring,
Blue Ridge Summit, PA: TAB Books, Inc.

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