If you find yourself considering the integration of a new electrical system on your boat, dock, or amphibious vehicle, it’s important to know what projects are going to require certified marine electrical wire. While some projects can use standard wire, it can be very dangerous to use standard wire in locations that really need Marine Electrical Wire. This article will give some examples of projects that would require marine-grade wire, and how marine-grade wire would ensure the safety of that project.
1. Replacing Battery Cables
Replacing battery cables is one of the most important projects that require marine-grade wire. Because battery compartments are in danger of coming into contact with moisture, marine-grade wire is absolutely necessary, especially if your vehicle will be operating in a saltwater environment.
Marine electrical wire has thicker, more durable insulation that helps it resist the moisture that could make its way into the battery compartment. Additionally, because battery cables connect to the engine, which often has more moisture than most places of boats, marine wires are necessary to ensure they don’t degrade during everyday use.
2. Wiring Dock Lights
Dock lights can make life incredibly easy if you happen to come back on your boat after sundown. Many people, though, make the mistake of using non-marine-grade wire for wiring dock lights simply because the lit area of your dock will be above the water level. In reality, wake, extra-high tides, and ocean spray can all introduce moisture to your dock light electrical system. This moisture will degrade standard cable significantly faster than marine-grade wire.
Marine electrical wire is manufactured using tinned copper, which makes the copper strands on the inside considerably more resistant to moisture and salt by coating them with an extremely thin layer of tin.
3. Wiring GPS Units or Fish Finders
Add-ons and accessories to your boat can help make boating more enjoyable and safe. In addition, it’s not always preferable to have portable GPS systems or smaller fish finder systems, both of which can be less effective than their hard-wired alternatives. If you find yourself thinking about adding one of these devices to your control panel, ensure that you use quality marine wire. While it is relatively easy to apply sealant to dials and control panel components that ship with the boat, adding your own hard-wired system can be much harder to seal effectively without greatly expanding the work required.
As a result of the increased difficulty of sealing off add-on systems, it’s important to stick with marine wire to prevent damage from spray that inevitably will be present. Even boats with fully-enclosed bridges are likely to be subject to increased moisture due to ocean spray, rainwater, or minor leaks in enclosing fabrics.
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