Customer Question:
"RC my surveyor failed our boat because the distance between the AC inlet and the Main AC breaker is more than 10', this seems stupid. Can you write a letter to my insurer for me explaining why this is not required on an older boat?"


Answer:
"NO!"





Here's the scenario for this image:


-30A on-board Main AC breaker


-Breaker was approx 19 wire-feet away from the shore power inlet


-Boat plugged into a 50A 120V service via a 50A to 30A "adapter"


-Dock pedestal protected by 50A breaker


-12GA wire (not compliant for 30A service) feeding the on-board 30A Main AC breaker


-Vibration & chafe created dead short in the 19' of unprotected wire before the Main AC breaker.






This is a prime example of why the ABYC suggests a Main AC circuit breaker to be within 10' wire feet of the shore power inlet.