Electrocution

LIforrelaxin · 07-15-2020, 03:56 PM

So here is the thing.... it is simple as much as reasonable possible keep electricity away from the water...... While there may be an allure to having docks or a power outlet on your dock, why do you believe you need it. Can you solve the problem another way?

In a Marina setting, where boats need shore power because people live on them etc. It has to be a concern and I get that.

But should your average citizen have a need to have power down at their dock? I don't think so.... But yet I know many do it. I don't even pull an extension cord down on my dock to charge a battery if I know people are going to be swimming.

None of this is rocket science... be smart....

If your concerned about it, an alarm like ishoot308 posted seems like a reasonable investment, and helps with piece of mind, to make sure there is no consistent threat. What can't be prevented however is when an electrical line becomes suddenly exposed, and all hell breaks loose until what ever breaker of fuse it is connected to blows.... There is simply nothing you can do, to be 100% safe... Giving yourself a piece of mind is what you need to look at.

Formula260SS · 07-15-2020, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

So here is the thing.... it is simple as much as reasonable possible keep electricity away from the water...... While there may be an allure to having docks or a power outlet on your dock, why do you believe you need it. Can you solve the problem another way?

In a Marina setting, where boats need shore power because people live on them etc. It has to be a concern and I get that.

But should your average citizen have a need to have power down at their dock? I don't think so.... But yet I know many do it. I don't even pull an extension cord down on my dock to charge a battery if I know people are going to be swimming.

None of this is rocket science... be smart....

If your concerned about it, an alarm like ishoot308 posted seems like a reasonable investment, and helps with piece of mind, to make sure there is no consistent threat. What can't be prevented however is when an electrical line becomes suddenly exposed, and all hell breaks loose until what ever breaker of fuse it is connected to blows.... There is simply nothing you can do, to be 100% safe... Giving yourself a piece of mind is what you need to look at.

I did receive some feedback on the issue of electricity in and around the lake. Although I'm very interested in passing the information along I don't feel comfortable putting it out here on the forum due to that nature of the subject.

I'm going to say what the others have - be safe and practice sound judgement. Consult a licensed electrician if you have any concerns around your waterfront and electricity at all.

fatlazyless · 07-15-2020, 04:37 PM

Some boat lifts run on 110-volts with a ground fault interrupter on shore, installed by the home owner, and with all the wakes and waves action happening is possible for a short circuit or an open hot. A gfi that is not grounded correct will probably not interrupt as designed.

FlyingScot · 07-15-2020, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Some boat lifts run on 110-volts with a ground fault interrupter on shore, installed by the home owner, and with all the wakes and waves action happening is possible for a short circuit or an open hot. A gfi that is not grounded correct will probably not interrupt as designed.

We had a GFI that stopped interrupting. No damage done; we stumbled on the issue and fixed it. But still...

ishoot308 · 07-15-2020, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

We had a GFI that stopped interrupting. No damage done; we stumbled on the issue and fixed it. But still...

If the GFI stops working shouldn’t the breaker in the panel kick off as a secondary Line of safety?

Just curious...

Dan

jbolty · 07-15-2020, 07:19 PM

If a gfci breaker or outlet is not wired correctly it will almost never allow it self to set.

They do go bad and usually fail open but that's why there is a test button we all ignore.

The normal breakers do nothing other than trip if the current flow exceeds the rating; they are there to protect the wires. They do not trip based on anything with the grounding unless it's a dead short or close to it.

07-15-2020, 03:56 PM	#1
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,876 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	So here is the thing.... it is simple as much as reasonable possible keep electricity away from the water...... While there may be an allure to having docks or a power outlet on your dock, why do you believe you need it. Can you solve the problem another way? In a Marina setting, where boats need shore power because people live on them etc. It has to be a concern and I get that. But should your average citizen have a need to have power down at their dock? I don't think so.... But yet I know many do it. I don't even pull an extension cord down on my dock to charge a battery if I know people are going to be swimming. None of this is rocket science... be smart.... If your concerned about it, an alarm like ishoot308 posted seems like a reasonable investment, and helps with piece of mind, to make sure there is no consistent threat. What can't be prevented however is when an electrical line becomes suddenly exposed, and all hell breaks loose until what ever breaker of fuse it is connected to blows.... There is simply nothing you can do, to be 100% safe... Giving yourself a piece of mind is what you need to look at. __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

07-15-2020, 04:37 PM	#3
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,779 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,022 Times in 744 Posts	Some boat lifts run on 110-volts with a ground fault interrupter on shore, installed by the home owner, and with all the wakes and waves action happening is possible for a short circuit or an open hot. A gfi that is not grounded correct will probably not interrupt as designed. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

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07-15-2020, 07:19 PM	#6
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 666 Thanks: 320 Thanked 252 Times in 151 Posts	If a gfci breaker or outlet is not wired correctly it will almost never allow it self to set. They do go bad and usually fail open but that's why there is a test button we all ignore. The normal breakers do nothing other than trip if the current flow exceeds the rating; they are there to protect the wires. They do not trip based on anything with the grounding unless it's a dead short or close to it.