Skip to main content

Selecting for Flexibility in Marine Battery Cable

Title appears in the browser's title bar...

One of the greatest challenges in setting up a marine electrical system that relies on selecting marine battery cables that have enough flexibility to work in the tight spaces often needed on the water. Because of the nature of the marine craft (and dock electrical systems as well), having a flexible cable that also fulfills the needs of the electrical system while being durable and safe is crucial. If flexibility is what you are looking for, there are two features of wiring that can be focused on to fit your needs.

marine cables accessories

The “stranding” or “strand count” is the primary measure of a marine battery cable’s flexibility; the higher the strand count, the greater the flexibility. Thankfully, most marine cables are considerably more flexible than their land vehicle equivalents, but there are still variances between the cables. If you know you are going to be repairing or building a system in particularly cramped spaces even by marine standards, go for the highest strand count possible, as this will give you excellent flexibility. Also, keep an eye out for “tinned” wires. Tinning wires refer to plating the copper strands of wire with a thin layer of tin. Tinning serves some beneficial purposes. It increases the cable’s resistance to moisture, oxidation, and corrosion. Specifically, in regards to flexibility, tinned wires are both more conductive and more durable. The additional durability granted by tinned cables can help stave off breakages that could otherwise result from bending the wire in a tight space. The increased conductivity means that a thinner cable may be able to be used, saving on much-needed space.

The other major factor affecting flexibility is the type of insulation used. PVC is a very common insulation type, which offers fantastic flexibility and is easy to identify. The Society of Automotive Engineers has a rating code that indicates whether a PVC insulated cable is approved for marine use. If you see a cable marked “SGT-M,” you can safely conclude that the cable is insulated with SAE approved PVC. Some marine cables use XLP insulation, which has higher temperature ratings, but notably less flexibility. Some tinkerers may be tempted to use welding cables instead of SGT-M since welding cables have very high flexibility and is usually more than capable of handling the current from a marine battery cable. However, you should avoid using non-marine rated cable for marine applications. While the cable has tempting benefits, the downsides outweigh them without a doubt. Non-marine cable simply cannot handle the moisture in the environment, nor can it cope with the corrosiveness of salt. If XLP insulated cables are not working, stick with SGT-M rated PVC cables, which come with the added benefit of being self-extinguishing in the unlikely case that damage does occur.

Balancing cost, strand count, and insulation can be a delicate process, but it’s worth the time investment. The challenges of marine environments demand careful planning, and it is often worth going with a slightly pricier, but higher quality cable to build a solid, trustworthy electrical system.

Contact us now at sales@ewcswire.com for more information!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Common Questions About Security and Alarm Cables, Answered

Not sure which type of security or alarm cable your facility or system needs? Hopefully, these answers to common questions can help! What cable is used for alarm systems? Security and alarm systems are usually wired with small-gauge wire specifically designed for the purpose. For instance, many security systems are wired with 12 and 18 AWG gauge alarm wire, as these low-voltage applications do not necessarily require larger, heavier wires. However, larger or wire gauges may be required depending on the circumstances. Also, there are some unique requirements for some systems. For instance, fire alarm cables must be made with specific insulation that is heat resistant and which does not produce toxic smoke when burned. What gauge cable do you need for alarm systems? Only your specific system requirements can answer that question, but often large wire gauges (that is, smaller wires) are used as security and alarm cables because of the low-voltage, low-current application. What is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Marine Battery & Cable Maintenance

Your boat’s battery is necessary to start the engine, power the electrical system, including lights and navigation, and much more. For boats powered by a trolling motor, it i the only power source for the vessel. Without it, you would be dead in the water. With that said, here are some high-level ways to take care of your marine battery and cables. Protect and Clean the Terminals The easiest aspect of marine battery maintenance is to keep the terminals clean. Over time, discharge will exude from the terminals, and this corrosion can damage the battery and make it difficult to establish a solid electrical connection. Use a solution of warm water and baking soda with a battery terminal brush or a steel wire brush to scrub them clean from time to time. Then, apply some dielectric grease to the terminals. A thin coating will help prevent water ingress and almost entirely prevent corrosion. Keep the Battery Charged A fully charged battery will last longer than one that is fully...
Post a Comment
Read more

Qualities to Look for in Good 10 AWG Marine Primary Wire

Regardless of your level of experience as a mariner, you are likely to have improvements you’d like to make to your boat. Whether these improvements come in the form of a new radio, a cutting-edge fish-finder, or a more personalized control panel, each one will require some electrical work in order to bring power from your boat’s battery to the system. For this, you are likely to require at least some length of 10 AWG marine primary wire . Choosing good quality wire, however, can be difficult if you don’t know exactly what to look for. In this blog, we will help you know exactly what to look for to ensure you get the wire you need. 1. Quality Insulation When shopping for 10 AWG marine primary wire, the most important characteristic of good wire is quality insulation. With marine electrical systems, it is remarkably important that moisture, salt, and minerals are kept completely separate from the copper that makes electrical systems possible. This is achieved with mar...
Post a Comment
Read more