With as many lake front properties as we have in our service area, we thought it was critical to do a blog post on boat dock electrical safety. Even if you don’t own a boat dock, you should be aware of the electrical conditions around you when renting or visiting a lake front property.
BOAT DOCK ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS:
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI)
A GFCI is an essential safety precaution for any boat dock. Without a GFCI installed on each electrical receptacle, you risk a freak electrical shock that can injure or even kill someone.
To prevent any accidents, the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC articles 533 and 555) requires all docks to be outfitted with fast-acting circuit breakers. In the case of any faulty electrical wiring or equipment, this device reacts within 1/40 of a second to close off the electrical current and keep you and your family safe.
HAVE YOUR GFCI TESTED REGULARLY
Once you have a GFCI installed, make sure it works and stays working. That means testing monthly to ensure that your device is free from any malfunctions. That’s right–once a month. Don’t skip it. Take just a little time out from the sun and fun to guarantee safety.
INSTALL BONDING JUMPERS
If you have metal portions on your dock, you will need bonding jumpers. A bonding jumper connects all the metal parts of your dock to a ground rod on the shore. When your dock is properly grounded in this manner, any electrical charge on your dock will trigger the GFCI and shut off power immediately. The combination of these two devices ensures that the only thing you’ll need to worry about on your summer getaway is running out of sun-tan lotion.
CHECK ON NEIGHBORING DOCKS
Even if your dock is professionally installed and grounded, neighboring docks can still be a shock hazard. Electricity can travel on the water from boat dock to boat dock. This means that your family members can be electrocuted by faulty wiring on neighboring docks. To remove the chance of a completely avoidable accident occurring, ensure that your neighbors are aware of this safety information as well.
ALWAYS INSTALL PROFESSIONALLY
When you are this close to water, do you want to wonder if you have enough knowledge to keep your family safe? Leave the installation of electrical components to an expert. Due to the nature of electricity, even a slightly faulty installation can cause a potentially dangerous environment for you and your family. Use a master electrician for the installation of your GFCI, bonding jumpers and emergency shut off switches to ensure that if anything goes wrong your loved ones can be safe near the water.
REGULAR ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
Now that you’re set up with a professionally installed, safe dock, regular maintenance is required. With the natural elements that a dock is constantly under, any number of problems and malfunctions can occur. Have Stellar Inspectors inspect your dock’s electrical system at least once a year to ensure that your dock is ready for all the summer fun you deserve.
These simple steps will bring you up to code with the NEC and make your next lake trip as safe as it is fun.
The first step to all of this is finding the right electrical contractor for the job. A process that can be a lot harder than you might expect. Let us make that decision a whole lot simpler. We have a list of contractors who we refer on a regular basis.
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