Circuit Breaker

[drynoc]

I am installing a modest 30A shore power system on my boat, and the various instructions say to include a circuit breaker near where the power enters the boat if there will be a run to the distribution panel of more than 10 feet. I'm happy to do this, but what kind of circuit breaker are they talking about? The 30A surface mount thermal kind that you can get at Defender, or something else?

[rhaley]

You want a two pole AC breaker, something like this

AC Breaker

[camaraderie]

I've got that exact switch...works great.

[drynoc]

Thanks, guys. The breaker you suggested came in and I began the installation. However, if I understand the drawings that came with it correctly, both the source and the user green ground lines should connect to the grounding point on this breaker, which is tiny. I don't see a way to connect them both at that point. Should I splice one into the other? What am I missing?

[camaraderie]

You could use a small terminal block for a solid connection if they don't fit.
http://bluesea.com/productline/192

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by drynoc

Thanks, guys. The breaker you suggested came in and I began the installation. However, if I understand the drawings that came with it correctly, both the source and the user green ground lines should connect to the grounding point on this breaker, which is tiny. I don't see a way to connect them both at that point. Should I splice one into the other? What am I missing?

I don't know the "marine" way to do this, but in house wiring what one would do is make a short "pig tail," connect the two other wires and the pig tail together, then the other end of the pig tail to the common point. Connecting the two other wires and the pig tail together would be done with a plain ol' wire nut (properly sized).

Jim

[sailingdog]

Generally, you can connect the source ground and the user ground to a terminal block and then connect that to the grounding point on the breaker. As long as they are both connected electrically, the actual physical connection scheme isn't all that important. Do not use a wirenut on a boat. Use a terminal block or post with ring terminals.

[drynoc]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll go with the terminal block - it looks to be the easiest and neatest solution.

I have to admit though: I don't know why I didn't think of that.

[sailingdog]

Not enough coffee...or a brain fart... You're choice.

Originally Posted by drynoc

Thanks, guys. I think I'll go with the terminal block - it looks to be the easiest and neatest solution.

I have to admit though: I don't know why I didn't think of that.