Is My New Inverter Installation OK?
In this case, the ABYC standards don't apply specifically -- but fuse covers and much clearer cable markings would definitely be in order.
January 10, 2014
Question: I recently had a new inverter installed on my boat. In the photo I sent in you can see two fuses that were installed as part of this installation. My question is this, should these fuses have covers over them? Some of the other fuses on my boat that look like these have nice clear plastic covers over the fuse and holder assemblies.
Despite poorly identified cabling and no fuse covers, this installation is technically acceptable under ABYC standards.
Answer: (Red arrows added to show the fuses you're talking about.) ABYC standard A-31, which addresses inverters and battery chargers, doesn’t address this issue specifically. Some guidance, however, is provided within the ABYC E-11 standard that addresses both AC and DC wiring on your boat. E-11 also makes some comments relative to the wiring I see done as part of your installation.
First, it seems like your installer decided you could have any color insulation you wanted, as long as it was black. It also looks like the cable insulation has no markings to indicate some of the basic things we need to know about the cable.
So, addressing one issue at a time, ABYC requires all cables to have some means of identifying their purpose on board. DC positive conductors are typically colored red. In the photo you sent in I can see a red terminal boot at the inverter (far left) identifying DC positive. The red heat shrink used at the visible buss bar just to the right of center in the photo is acceptable. That got left off at the class-T fuse in the center of the photo, however. Further, E-11 requires cable insulation minimum marking to show type and style of insulation, maximum voltage rating, wire gauge size, and insulation temperature rating. I see that on only one of the wires in the photo, the main DC power feed to the buss bar on the right.
As for covers over the fuses, best practice would dictate that covers be installed to protect against a short circuit due to contact with the live terminals. E-11, however, does exempt cable runs that are fused at their source. So, technically, since these are the fuses, terminal covers are not required under the ABYC standard.
Beyond the cable question, the inverter does have a proper DC case ground, often left off, and that’s a good sign. Everything else appears to be in order.
