Lake Union Boat fire

Looks like 3 total losses. The comment was made that it started in the 110 Volt inlet system. This is a very common area for a fire. Same type of fitting in the C Dories. The circuits should be OFF before the plug is removed or pluged in. If not there is arcing, as it is plugged in or out, and carbon builds up, causing more resistance, finally heating up and causing ignition. Inspect the wiring, inside of the boat at least every year. I'll see if I have some photos of old sockets I have removed to illustrate the problem area.
 
thataway":1llt8e4b said:
Looks like 3 total losses. The comment was made that it started in the 110 Volt inlet system. This is a very common area for a fire. Same type of fitting in the C Dories. The circuits should be OFF before the plug is removed or pluged in. If not there is arcing, as it is plugged in or out, and carbon builds up, causing more resistance, finally heating up and causing ignition. Inspect the wiring, inside of the boat at least every year. I'll see if I have some photos of old sockets I have removed to illustrate the problem area.
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Some marinas do not have circuit breakers on the shore power pedestals. In that case, is it sufficient to make sure the boat shore power breaker is off (on the Tom Cat, the top breaker under the dinette) when connecting and disconnecting the boat to shore power?

Warren
 
If the marina does not have a breaker on the pedistal, it is not up to code in most areas of the US. Even most RV parks ask that you turn off the breaker when pluging and unplugging (Marinas don't seem to have codified these rules, but they also apply to the power pedistals on docks).

Yes, turning off the power in the boat, is adequate, and in fact what I do, since my breaker is some distance from the plug for the power cord.
 
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