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Section: Wiring (AC)..


The client had observed that the newly refitted boat tripped the marina RCD when plugged in. Inspection showed that the installer had reversed the neutral and earth. In addition the client's shore cable had the live and neutral reversed. In effect, all 'earthed' equipment was live, and as the hull wasn't earth bonded, there was no path to earth for fault current. Fortunately the marina RCD was in working order, however it would have been a different story if a genset or inverter had been used on the way from the builder to the home mooring.(No RCD had been fitted to the boat's system)
Note the unsheathed wiring, which on closer examination proved to be automotive cable (max voltage 60V).