Blue Sea Systems 8096 DC 6 Position - Manual (Page 2)

Installation
(continued)
A full treatment of this subject is not possible within the scope of these
instructions and there is controversy surrounding the general subject of
DC bonding, of which DC grounding is a component. It is suggested
that installers not familiar with this subject consult one of the reference
books listed elsewhere in these instructions.
ABYC requires that grounding wires be sized no smaller than one wire
size under that required for current carrying conductors supplying the
device to which the grounding wire is connected.
A full treatment of this subject is not possible within the scope of these
instructions and there is controversy surrounding the general subject of
DC bonding, of which DC grounding is a component. It is suggested
that installers not familiar with this subject consult one of the reference
books listed elsewhere in these instructions.
7. Apply branch circuit labels and mount panel
Apply a label for each of the branch circuits from the 30 basic labels
provided. If the appropriate label is not included, the Extended Label
Set of 120 labels may be ordered from your marine supplier (PN 8039).
Individual labels are also available from Blue Sea Systems for specifi c
applications. Refer to the label order form for a complete listing of
individual labels.
Fasten the panel to the mounting surface using the panel mounting
screws supplied with the panel.
8. Installation of Backlight System
Connect the yellow negative wire to the panel negative bus.
To activate the label lights by the boat’s battery switch, connect the red
positive wire to the DC panel positive bus.
To activate the label lights by an independent switch or breaker,
connect the red positive wire to the load side of the switch or breaker.
9. Testing
Reconnect the main positive cable to the battery terminals and turn the
main switch on to supply power to the panel. Turn on all branch circuits
and test the voltage at the panel. Compare this voltage to the battery
terminal voltage to determine that the voltage drop is within 3%. With
all branch circuits still on, test the voltage at one device on each circuit
to determine that there is a 3% or 10% drop as is appropriate.
Note
This Blue Sea Systems electrical distribution panel is furnished with 15
amp circuit breakers. This rating was selected to minimize the need for
removing the panel’s circuit breakers and reinstalling different size circuit
breakers. As shown in the Wire Sizing Chart included with these
instructions, even 16 AWG wire, which is the minimum wire size
recommended by ABYC, has an allowable amperage greater than 20
amperes. Additionally, it would be rare to have more than 15 amperes of
current fl owing in any one circuit. Therefore, 15 ampere circuit breakers
will satisfy the vast majority of marine circuit protection situations.
Wire Sizing Chart
1. Calculate the maximum sustained amperage of the circuit. Measure
the length of the circuit from the power source to the load and back.
2. Does the circuit runs in an engine space or non engine space.
3. Calculate Famps (Feet x amps). Multiply circuit length by max. current.
4. Base the wire on either the 3% or 10% voltage drop. In general, items
which affect the safe operation of the boat and its passengers (running
lights, bilge blowers, electronics) use 3%; all other loads use 10%.
5. Starting in the column which has the right voltage and voltage drop,
run down the list until arriving at a value which is greater than the
calculated Famps. Move left to the Ampacity column to verify that the
total amperage of the circuit does not exceed the maximum allowable
amperage of the wire size for that row. If it does, move down until the
wire ampacity exceeds the circuit amperage. Finally, move left to the
wire size column to select the wire size.
Example
a.
A 12 volt system at 10% drop with a 40’ circuit x 45 amps = 1800
Famps. A wire size of 8 is required.
Wiring Diagram
DC Power Distribution Panel
PN 8096 / PN 3096