The following standards apply to all vessels having

electrical equipment.

(Note: There is in existence a Code of Practice which

addresses Electrical and Electronic Installations in

Boats published by the British Marine Electronics

Association which includes reference to AC systems

which may be referred to for further guidance).

3.1 All batteries shall be securely installed so as to

prevent movement and damage. All battery

compartments shall be adequately ventilated

and covered with insulating and non-corrosive

material. No battery may be fitted beneath or

adjacent to any petrol or LPG tank, cylinder,

cock, pipe or filter.

3.2 Cables shall be of adequate current carrying

capacity and of suitable construction and grade.

They shall be insulated and/or sheathed so as

to be impervious to attack by fuel or water.

They shall be adequately supported or run in

adequately supported suitable conduit.

3.3 Main circuits shall be installed above bilge

water level and all except starter circuits shall

be protected by circuit breakers or fuses of the

appropriate rating and of suitable design.

3.4 All cables shall be installed as high as is

practicable in the vessel, and they shall be run

clear of all sources of heat such as exhaust

pipes. They shall not be run adjacent to fuel or

gas pipes unless contained in suitable conduit.

PVC insulated and/or sheathed cables shall not

be run in direct contact with polystyrene

thermal insulation. [see Exemption 11.10]

3.5 A battery master switch capable of

disconnecting the system (including starter

circuits) shall be installed in a readily accessible

position as close to the battery as possible. The

battery master switch must be capable of

carrying the maximum current of the system.

Electric bilge pumps, security alarms, fire pumps

and electronic navigation equipment with

memories when fitted may have circuits which

bypass the master switch but only if separately

protected by fuses or circuit breakers. If the

battery master switch is not visible, its position

must be clearly marked.

3.6 Main and starter motor leads subject to high

current shall have soldered or pressure crimped

connectors. Spark plug leads shall be supported

clear of the engine block and cylinder head.

3.7 All electrical devices fitted in any compartment

containing petrol or gas shall be ignition

protected in accordance with BS EN 28846.

3.8 All electrical equipment shall be two-wire

insulated except in respect of engine circuits

where there must be a low resistance return

conductor between the battery and the engine.

Engine installations with two wire insulated

electrical systems do not require fitting of the

low resistance return conductor.