Shore Power Cable

A shore power cable is a particular type of marine cable.

This cable is specially designed for use in water without being damaged.

These cables find their use in deep-sea waters where pressure is very high.

A shore power cable is used to connect a pipe or wire to the marine shore power.

The shore power cables are made carefully from high-quality material.

The wire’s high-quality material is the guarantee of its proper functioning.

The manufacturers make sure that the material is durable, so the user does not need to change the cable often.

The shower power cable has many benefits.

This cable is also referred to as a ship-to-ship cord.

This cable type is usually used where the users need the highest degree of oil resistance and extended service life.

The users can quickly identify the shore power cables due to their bright yellow insulation and large diameter.

Figure 1: A Shore Power Cable

A shore power cable performs the same function as a regular wire, but there are differences between these two.

A regular wire is considered less valuable and durable as compared to a shore power cable.

The significant differences among these two are as follows.

• Durability

The marine shore power cable is much more long-lasting than a regular wire.

A regular wire cannot withstand a much higher or lower temperature range, whereas a shore power cable can handle 105 degrees.

A regular wire can supply 120 volts only, whereas the shore power cable can supply 600 volts of power.

The material used in the shore power cable is carefully selected not to stop functioning in the water.

The insulation and fine strands also play their role in durability.

• Insulation

A regular wire is insulated with a standard PVC covering, whereas the shore power cable has layers of proper, long-lasting insulation material.

The thick insulation protects the inside of the cable against any resistance or damage.

The thick insulation not only provides protection but also gives flexibility to the shore power cable.

• Conduction

As compared to a regular wire, a shore power cable has much higher conductivity.

The wires are the leading conductors, and the companies make them from high-quality, fully annealed stranded, bare copper.

The copper wires are then coated with tin to avoid oxidation.

Together with the insulation, these factors provide better conductivity than a regular wire made from bare copper.

• Electrical cost

A regular wire consumes more electrical units than a shore power cable.

It costs more electricity bills than the shore power cable.

You can save a good amount of money by using a shore power cable instead of the regular wire.

A regular wire is helpful for land usage. It cannot work correctly in the marine environment.

A shore power cable can give better performance in the marine environment than land.

According to the literal meaning, a marine power wire is a wire that transmits power through it in marine conditions.

Marine cables have a unique standing.

All the strands in the marine power wire are fine and tinned individually.

The fine strands are helpful because they make the wire flexible.

The flexibility in this wire helps in better survival of the wire in a moving and vibrating boat.

The tin coating on the fine strands is also beneficial as it provides additional protection against corrosion.

Tin coating on the marine power wire makes it graded.

It is graded means that the wire is completely coated with tin to prevent oxidation.

The grading with tin is applicable because tin does not tarnish or oxidize like bare copper.

Figure 4: A Marine Power Cable

A shore power cable is made from a high-quality, durable, and flexible material.

 All the processes involved in the manufacture of the shore power cable takes place in a sophisticated and perfect environment.

At the beginning of the process, finely stranded, annealed copper is used to make the conductors.

 This step ensures the high flexibility of the cable.

Copper conductors offer high conductivity for the cable.

Once the conductors are prepared, they are insulated to provide ultimate protection against any external factors.

 The insulation includes two steps.

One covering is the coating with a thick, color-coded PVC.

These covered conductors get insulated with a rigid thermoplastic jacket.

 All these factors give their best performance to form a long-lasting, resistant shore power cable.

Figure 5: Construction of Shore Power Cable

Installation of a shore power cord is not a difficult task.

 It is, however, better to get the power cables installed by experts to avoid any mishap.

You can also use a cable master system to allow powered extension and retraction of your boat’s heavy shore power cable.

 The typical cost of installing a proper shore power cable setup in your boat ranges from $300,000 to $2 million.

The cost depends upon various factors.

These factors include the type of vessel, its size, and the requirement of an onboard transformer.

Figure 6 – A Shore Power Connection

The price range is different for retrofit and new-build projects.

Retrofit means reinstalling the previously present cable system.

Usually, the retrofits cost twice the amount as compared to the incremental new-build investments.

The voltage of shore power is usually 120 volts.

The significantly oxidized, fine strands in the shore power cable offer the unique characteristics that make it stand out from all the other wires in the market.

The durability of the wire is evident through its differentiating features.

At YUAN YANG, we produce the shore power cables that offer a voltage rating of 600 volts.

This type of cable can calmly handle a wide range of temperatures.

Usually, this range lies between -50⁰ C to 105⁰ C.

The conductors in the shore cable are made from fully annealed and stranded copper.

The differentiating features provide flexibility to the cable, as mentioned earlier.

The conductivity of the wire enhances due to the high-quality copper.

These features combine with the heavy-duty insulation on the outside of the wire.

The insulation guarantees the best services and significant operation of the wire.

Yes, the cruise ships use the shore power for their benefit.

Shore power can reduce fuel consumption and save a lot of money from being spent on electrical bills.

Shore power lets the cruises “hook up” quickly to the electricity at the ports.

The cruises can take advantage of the shore power because then the need to keep the engines operating while letting the passengers off eliminates.

When the new passengers get on board, even then, the ship’s engine can rest.

The shore power also improves the environment as it causes less air pollution.

The ships with a shore power cable system can save a lot of fuel while on the port compared to those that do not have these systems.

 The lesser the consumption of fuel, the lesser will be the pollution.

 Many ships have a unique design so that you can use the shore power.

The cruise experts also recommend the use of shore power cable due to its advantageous characteristics.

Figure 7: A Shore Power Connection in Cruises

Yes, the users can charge boat batteries with a shore power cable connection.

 All you need to do is to add a battery charger to the system.

The system connects to the batteries and quickly charges them when you plug the charger into the shore power.

 These chargers are not a rarer thing.

They are readily available online.

The battery charging with a traditional or a pulse charger depends on whether the engine is helping function.

In contrast, the battery is easy to connect for direct charging.

 Usually, the small campers have a 30amp hookup, and the large ones have a 50amp hookup.

When the trailer is hooked up to the shore power connection, it automatically starts charging it.

While the shore power cable is charging your batteries, you can still run the electrical appliances on the boat.

It is, however, suggested to change the marine batteries after every trip to make them last longer.

The batteries usually last for five to seven years.

You can test the shore power cable for its performance efficiently.

The proper testing of the system can help identify any risks or damages in the cable.

For testing the shore power cables, the first step is to check the natural ground.

The ground should be zero before setting the checking arrangement.

 Once you have checked it, the next step is to hold the black probe to one of the hotlines and the red one to the ground.

When you do this type of arrangement, you should get 120V.

Repeat the same test for the other side.

 Each side of a properly working shore power cord should be 120 volts.

If the voltage seems to have changes in it, then you should get your power cable checked.

A shore power cable has a straightforward use in general and also on the boat.

It works by plugging the ship into a power source.

The power source of a boat is usually present on the dock.

The power source transfers alternate current to the ship.

An electrical tower, also known as a power pedestal, is present on the boat’s dock.

The power pedestal has an AC plug within it which can connect to the shore power.

This connection of the shore power and the AC plug on the yacht offers electricity onboard to add to your enjoyment. 

The shore power cable has many benefits over a regular wire.

It is reliable, long-lasting, and easy to install.

 Besides these fundamental advantages, there are many other valuable aspects of using the shore power cables.

 Some of them are as follows.

• Reduced operating hours

The most expensive part of a ship is its engine.

The engine needs to be appropriately maintained.

It is a significant expense to keep a diesel engine ready to use at any time.

The life of an engine reduces with every hour of its usage.

A continuously running machine costs a considerable amount of money in fuel as well as maintenance.

The owners of the yacht can reduce these expenses by using the marine shore power system.

The shore power system can run all the amenities and equipment onboard the ship.

• Easy installation

The shore power systems are installed horizontally or vertically.

This installation provides flexibility for finding a suitable location for its installation.

You can install it in small spaces as well.

The system is light-weighted, and its compact design adds an aesthetic finish to the yacht finish.

It also adds to the resale value of the yacht.

• Reliable

The shore power system has a unique design for marine use.

The output of the system remains regulated no matter what the external conditions.

 The shore power system can work constantly and efficiently in the high-temperature marine environment.

It can work with any navigational power system internationally.

• Durable

The shore power systems are very long-lasting.

 They work on any journey.

 You can be dependent on the shore power while traveling through the sea.

 The shore power cleans and conditions the electricity.

It improves the life span of the electronic equipment on board.

Figure 8 – A Shore Power Cable

The shore power system is the most reliable and versatile system model in the market today.

It has a unique design that makes its installation easier in every situation and any space available.

The installation does not affect the surrounding environment and keeps it clean.

A shore power system reduces the local pollution to a very great extent while being docked.

In this way, it is a safer and healthier option.

The shore power is usually 120 volts.

The need for extra energy for bigger vessels has brought a revolution in the administration.

The differences in the frequency along with the voltage keep the current stable.

 The shore power cable can carry significant voltages at a wide range of temperatures.

If this balance is disturbed, the difference makes the machine incompatible.

 The yachts usually have DC electrical system, which allows the engine to start and use the lights.

The shoring system provides the AC power supply to the boat from the power pedestal through the help of shore power cords.

Yes, the users on the boat can plug in an inverter to a shore power cable system.

When you decide to occasionally run a TV, laptop, or microwave on a 120volt AC power, an inverter can be helpful.

Figure 9: Shore power cable and inverter connection

An inverter with 15amps output connected to a battery bank can be connected to the shore power cord.

This connection will give an equal 120volt power to all the outlets connected to the shore power through the cable.

A shore power cable has many accessories.

Following are some of the essential accessories of the shore power cable.

1. Zip sleeve cord cover
2. Threaded sealing ring
3. Shore power cord cable clips
4. Shore power cord clips
5. Threaded locking sealing ring
6. Shore power cord storage bag
7. Receptacle waterproof cover
8. Shore power cord organizer
9. Shore power cable ring
10. Shore power plugs and connectors

The shore power cable has got its name after its use and fundamental property.

Shore power refers to the source of the power being supplied through the cable.

So, the shore power cable provides power in marine transportation.

The primary source of power is the shoreside electrical power.

Shore powers are helpful because they lessen the need for fuel.

With the help of shore power cable, the unnecessary use of fuel alleviates as the transmission of power is continuously done by the shore power cable.

It prevents ability while in port.

Shore power cables ensure high voltage at a wide range of temperatures.

The power cables are usually functional on DC.

Primarily yachts work on DC electrical systems.

The DC allows your system to start the engines and use the interior lights easily.

You can also operate marine electronics with DC electrical system.

It is helpful for pumping the bilge as well.

The DC system in the marine power cables can usually work better on 12V or 24V while using the batteries.

The DC system is advantageous for reloading by the charging system.

But the boats and yachts do not usually work on one electrical system only.

They need a second system as well.

Shore power cable connection is the secondary electrical system for the boats.

The shore power system works on AC electrical systems.

 The shore power allows you to enjoy the use of AC electricity abroad your vessel.

The shore power system gives energy to power pedestals through the shore power cables.

The life span of a new, casual marine power cable is usually 25 years.

The insulation outside the line and other installation methods can help the cable last much longer.

 They protect it against the marine environment, and hence the cable keeps on giving its best performance after 25 years.

 The copper in the wires lasts more than a century without being degraded, damaged, or affected by external factors.

The insulation, however, degrades with time.

 The electrical wiring can last up to 50 to 70 years.

 Certain factors are instrumental in improving the life span of the cables.

Predicting the problems in the wire as soon as possible and giving them the required repair can be a significant factor in improving the life span.

 Shore power cables usually have different amp ratings.

The shore power cables with more minor camper hookups have a 30amp rating.

The more significant camper hookup has a 50amp power rating.

The shore power usually offers 120volts of voltage.

A 30amp shore power can provide 3.6kilowatts of energy for a 60-feet long vessel.

A 50amp shore power cable has a unique design that can fulfill more points for larger ships.

30-amp shore power is usually used on an RV with lower load requirements.

It contains only three wires. ‘

These three wires are named as:

• The hot phase
• The neutral phase
• The grounded wire

A 50amp shore power has found its use on RV with more extensive requirements of the load.

It contains four wires that supply two separate 50amp, 120volt feeds.

These wires are named as:

• X-phase
• Y-phase
• Neutral wire
• Ground lug

The x-phase and y-phase work together to feed the breaker panel.

The X-phase provides half of it, and the Y-phase feeds the other half.

Figure 10: AC load on a shore power cable