120VAC outlets in the engine room

[km1125]

On a different thread, there was some discussion about whether or not 120VAC outlets could be mounted in an engine room.

I wanted to follow up on that, because my last boat had one (that was installed post-manufacturer) and I was just on a boat this past weekend (2015 470 Sea Ray) which also had one that was obviously manufacturer-installed.

I'm wondering what the exact language is? I have an older copy of the ABYC rules and don't see anything in there. I would expect it to be covered in section E-8.15, but the only thing I see there is about putting them in areas subject to "rain, spray or flooding" and if you need to do that it has to have a spring-loaded self-closing cover.

Is there more language in later versions of the ABYC standards?

[Midnightsun]

My understanding is it is a sparking/explosion hazard therefor not allowed. Anything in the bilge needs to be spark proof especially on gasoline powered boats.

[bud37]

I can't speak to the regs here. Was the Ray you were in, a diesel ?

Sometimes with this sort of thing with regs there gets to be some assumptions that go round until they are quoted as fact, much like the double clamping rule. NOT saying this is the case at all, so stand down...

That reg book is hard to read at best and is open to opinion and some interpretation ....IMO....

[g36]

47 ft searay thats got to be a diesel boat

[km1125]

Yes the Sea Ray was definitely diesel.

I wouldn't consider the outlet a "sparking/explosion hazard" any more than the cables to the batteries, which could also spark if something is removed or reconnected. For permanently installed devices like a battery charger or space heater I could see why you'd want to discourage using an outlet and prefer a direct wire, but not sure why just the presence of an outlet (for convenience use) would be discouraged.

[Viper]

A regular plug in an outlet is not a secure connection especially while underway, movement of the plug can cause arcing. Not as much of a problem on diesels if that happens, many diesel applications have outlets in the engine bay, but definitely a problem in a gasoline application if explosive fumes are present. Having said that, I don't like outlets in any engine bay.

When someone that's aware of the dangers connects or disconnects batteries, they expect there may be a spark and so ensure that all loads are off and no fumes are present prior to touching the wiring. The average Joe wouldn't think twice of plugging something into an outlet without any forethought. It also makes it too easy to overload the circuit. I've seen a charger, hot water heater, and a trouble light hanging in the engine bay, all plugged into the same outlet on a 15A breaker. You know if there's a way, people will abuse the convenience. Oh and there's lots of room down there so let's store the outboard and portable fuel tank there while we're at it.

[KeithS]

Electrical outlets are allowed in machinery spaces, but if in a gasoline powered vessel they must be GFI outlets. Since no one makes an ignition protected GFI outlet, you won't find an outlet in a gas boat.
This is covered by ABYB 11.13.3.5

[km1125]

Source of the post Electrical outlets are allowed in machinery spaces, but if in a gasoline powered vessel they must be GFI outlets. Since no one makes an ignition protected GFI outlet, you won't find an outlet in a gas boat.
This is covered by ABYB 11.13.3.5

To satisfy that requirement, they could always be fed from the load side of another outlet that is a GFCI.

Poking around a bit, it seems like there is a requirement for at least a 6 lb pull test to satisfy a condition for an engine room outlet, but I see no outright ban on them in the specs.

[bud37]

The way I see this, there is no way to plug anything into any electrical outlet without there being a very high possibility of a spark...however small, and that to me is why there should be no outlets in a gas boat machinery space. Gfci will not stop sparking, it is a ground fault safety device. Just too easy to make a mistake, even a phone charger can create a spark.

Just not worth the chance.......IMO.