Marine Electrical Products
AC & DC Power Distribution Panel
PN 8408 / PN 3408 / PN 8508 / PN 3508
Specifications
Material: | 0.125" | |
Primary Finish: | Chemical Treatment per | |
Panel Finish: | Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane | |
Maximum Amperage: Varies by components; busbar maximum 100A | ||
Voltage Rating: | 8408 / 3408 | 12 or 24 Volt DC* / 120 Volt AC Systems |
| 8508 / 3408 | 12 or 24 Volt DC* / 230 Volt AC Systems |
| Inches Millimeters | |
Overall Dimensions: | 400.10 × 254.00 | |
* Configure your panel with the supplied voltage identification labels.
Features
DC 8408 / 3408 / 8508 / 3508
•One 100 Ampere
•Eighteen circuit breaker positions, twelve 15 Ampere branch circuit breakers installed
•DC digital multimeter PN 8248 with remote shunt and battery bank selector switch
AC 8408 / 3408
•Eight circuit breaker positions, one 30A AC Main circuit breaker and three
15A branch crcuit breakers installed
•AC digital multimeter PN 8247
AC 8508 / 3508
•Eight circuit breaker positions, one 16A AC Main circuit breaker and three
8A branch circuit breakers installed
•AC digital multimeter PN 8247
Guarantee
Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satisfied may be returned for a refund or replacement at any time. Reference Blue Sea Systems’ Digital Meter installation manual for specific meter warranty information.
WARNING 
]These instructions are intended to provide assistance with the installation of this product, and are not a substitute for a more comprehensive understanding of electrical systems. We strongly recommend that a competent electrical professional perform the installation of this product.
]If either the panel front or back is to be exposed to water it must be protected with a waterproof shield.
]The panels must not be installed in explosive environments such as gasoline engine rooms or battery compartments as the circuit breakers are not ignition protected.
]The main positive connection must be disconnected at the battery post to avoid the possibility of a short circuit during the installation of this distribution panel.
]The shunt must be installed in the negative line to avoid damage to the meter. Positive voltage applied to digital meter terminals #4 and #5 will cause damage to the meter not covered by warranty.
]The vessel’s shore power cord must be disconnected form shoreside power before installing this electrical panel.
]If an inverter is installed on the vessel its power leads must be disconnected at the battery before the panel installation. Be aware that many inverters have a “sleep mode” in which their voltage potential may not be detectable with measuring equipment.
]If an AC Generator is installed aboard it must be stopped and rendered inoperable before the panel is installed.
]Verify that no other AC source is connected to the vessel’s wiring before the panel is installed.
Questions and Comments
We invite your questions and comments. You may contact us at the address below. To find out more about our full line of marine electrical products visit our web site at www.bluesea.com.
Blue Sea Systems Inc. | Phone (360) | |
425 Sequoia Drive | Fax (360) | |
Bellingham, WA 98226 USA | www.bluesea.com | |
Installation Set Up
1. Disconnect all AC and DC power
Disconnect all AC power originating on or off the vessel. This includes inverters, generators, shore power attachments and any other device capable of supplying AC power to the ship’s circuits.
Disconnect the main positive DC cable from all batteries to eliminate the possibility of a short circuit and to disable the inverter while installing the distribution panel.
2. Apply Voltage Label
All panel components are sized for 12 or 24 Volt systems. Use the labels provided to permanently identify the system voltage and its type (DC) as required by ABYC. Apply the appropriate voltage label to the recessed area on the front of the panel.
3. Select mounting location and cut opening
If this panel is to serve as your main shore power disconnect circuit breaker, select a location which is not more than 10 feet from the shore power inlet or the electrical attachment point of a permanently installed shore power cord as measured along the conductors of the feed wires. If it is more than 10 feet, additional fuses or circuit breakers must be installed within 10 feet of the shore power inlet.
Select a mounting location which is protected from water on the panel front and back and is not in an area where flammable vapors from propane, gasoline or lead acid batteries accumulate. The circuit breakers used in marine electrical panels are not ignition protected and may ignite such vapors.
Using the panel template provided, make a cutout in the mounting surface where the distribution panel is to be mounted. Do not yet fasten the panel to the mounting surface.
DC Installation
1. Select positive feed wire and negative return
Determine the positive feed (red) and negative return (black or yellow) wire size by calculating the total amperage of the circuits that will be routed through the panel. Blue Sea Systems’ electrical panels are rated at 100 amp total capacity. The positive feed wire must be sized for 3% voltage drop at the 100 amp panel rating or the maximum amperage that will be routed through the panel in any particular installation, whichever is less. It is recommended that the positive feed wire be sized for the full panel capacity, which, in most cases, will require at least 2 AWG wire, assuming a 10 foot wire run between the panel and the batteries in 12 volt systems. Refer to the Wire Sizing Chart for other situations. In the case of panels with two or more columns of breakers, jumpers from positive bus to positive bus and from negative bus to negative bus should be the same size as the positive feed and the negative return wires.
Remember that the length of the circuit is the total of the positive wire from the power source and the negative wire back to the DC Negative Bus. Be certain that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size protecting the positive feed wire.
2. Install shunt, negative return and positive feed
The DC digital meter shunt must be installed in the negative line of the circuit whose current is to be measured. Refer to the DC meter installation and operation manual prior to installing the shunt. Review the Theory of Operation, Use, Installation Overview, Installing Shunt, Wiring Diagram and Wire by Wire Instruction sections. Observe all warnings regarding the shunt installation.
Connect a negative return wire from the negative bus on the panel to DC negative and ultimately the load side of the shunt. Connect a positive feed wire from the positive bus on the panel to DC positive. Be certain that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size protecting the positive feed wire.
