Hubbell's shore power cord safety considerations

Shore power cords, and the electricity they transfer, help bring convenience and comfort aboard boats, yet can become dangerous fire and electrocution risks if they fail.

To be watertight, the cord should be totally encased in solid PVC material. For flexibility, lightweight jute filler inside the cord jacket makes the cable coil neatly and lie flat, which can be particularly important in colder climates.

Devices such as a strain relief bull ring alleviate stress on the conductors caused by boat movement, crew traffic and rough handling. A moulded flexneck helps prevent right-angle cable damage, as well as accidental pull-out of the cord.

To prevent overheating and burnout, a copper crimp barrel termination, the type used by power companies, is said to be superior to brass. Copper barrel sleeves provide more secure connections, better conductivity and longer life.

A locking ring should be present for proper alignment of the connector to the inlet. This allows for a completely waterproof connection and prevents accidental disengagement.

Some shore power cords utilise indicator lights to visually confirm that power is flowing. Likewise, some models also have warning lights to show that incorrect, dangerous wiring conditions exist at the power source.

Made in the USA, Hubbell electrical products are built with the highest quality terminations and materials. Its’ marine electrical products include UL listed shorepower inlets, cablesets, adapters, plugs, connectors, weatherproof plates, ground fault receptacles and accessories from 15-200 amps.

For more information contact Australian distributor Ocean Marine Technology Ltd on (07) 3161 6872 or visit www.ocean-marine-services.com or www.hubbell-marine.com.