Blue Sea Systems PN 8620, PN 8619, PN 8618, PN 8621 User Manual

Marine Electrical Prod

ucts

AC Main Power Distribution Panel

PN 8618 / PN 8619 AC Main + 3 Position
PN 8620 / PN 8621 AC Main + 8 Position

Panel Specifi cations

Material: 0.125” 5052-H32 Aluminum Alloy
Primary Finish: Chemical Treatment per Mil Spec C-5541C
Final Panel Finish: Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane
Amperage Rating: All components are sized for 100 Amps of

Voltage Rating: See Panel Features
Meter: AC Digital Multimeter with Alarm PN 8247

PN Inches Millimeters

Overall Dimensions: 8618/8619 5-1/4 x 7-1/2 133.40 x 190.50
8620/8621 5-1/4 x 11-1/4 133.40 x 285.80
Mounting Centers: 8618/8619 4-7/16 x 6-11/16 112.70 x 169.90
8620/8621 4-7/16 x 10-7/16 112.70 x 265.10

Panel Features

PN 8618 / PN 8619 / PN 8620 / PN 8621

• PN 8247 AC Digital Multimeter with alarm

PN 8618 / PN 8620 - 120 Volts AC

• One double-pole 30 Ampere AC main rocker circuit breaker

• 15 Ampere rocker branch circuit breakers installed

PN 8619 / PN 8621 - 230 Volts AC

• One double-pole 16 Ampere AC main rocker circuit breaker

• 8 Ampere rocker branch circuit breakers installed

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.

continuous current

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 vessels’ 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. Reference Blue
Sea Systems’ Digital Meter installation manual for specifi c meter
warranty information.

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

Document 6958 Rev.F

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, gasoline 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 branch circuit wires

Determine the proper wire size for each branch circuit using the wire
sizing chart. Verify that the standard circuit breakers installed in the
panel are correct for each branch circuit. Remove and replace any that
are incorrectly sized. The circuit breaker must have a rating less than
the allowable amperage of the wire, yet greater than the circuit’s
continuous current.

Connect each branch circuit hot (black) to the appropriate load
terminal. Connect each branch circuit neutral (white) to one of the
screws on the neutral bus. Connect each branch safety ground wire
(green) to one of the screws of the safety ground bus.

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.

Wire sizing chart

Use the wire sizing chart below to determine the proper branch

and feed circuit wire sizes.

Allowable Amperage of Conductors

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

Installation (continued)

4. Install feed circuit wires

Install the feed wires from the shore power inlet or other AC source,
referring 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.

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, an
additional fuses or circuit breakers must be installed within 10 feet of
the shore power inlet. The measurement is made along the
conductors.

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.

6. Apply branch circuit labels and mount panel

Apply a label for each of the branch circuits from the 30 basic labels
provided. If the appropriate label is not included, the Extended Label
Set of 120 labels may be ordered from your marine supplier (PN 8067).
Individual labels are also available from Blue Sea Systems for specifi c
applications. Refer to the label order form for a complete listing of
individual labels.

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

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)

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.

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:

PN 8618 / PN 8620 - 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 8619 / PN 8621 - 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 neutral and ground.

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

@ Review the meter installation and operation manual. Reference

the Theory of Operation, Use, Installation Overview and
operations sections. Verify meter functions.

8. Optional Branch LED’s

This Panel is supplied with LED’s pre-installed in all optional branch
positions. For future expansion of the panel remove the hot leg of the
LED from the AC Neutral Bus and connect it to the Load side of the
branch circuit breaker.

Note

All Blue Sea Systems’ AC electrical distribution panels are furnished
with 15 amp or 8 amp circuit breakers for branch circuits. 15 amp
circuit breakers are used in all 120 volt panels and 8 amp circuit
breakers are used in all 230 volt panels. These ratings were selected
to minimize the need for removing the panel’s circuit breakers and
reinstalling different size circuit breakers. It is very rare to have more
than this amount of current fl owing in any one circuit. Therefore, these
circuit breakers will satisfy the vast majority of marine circuit protection
situations.

Wiring Diagram

AC Main Power Distribution Panel

with AC Digital Multimeter

(PN 8620 shown for reference)