4F3: AC Breaker Panels
Note: The electric panels must be photographed at
an angle because their surface is so reflective.
The nerve center of the AC electrical system
are the AC circuit control panels by the wheel.
Upper, “Breaker” Panel
On the panel with the circuit breakers, just as in
your home, some of these switches are true “circuit
breakers”: they feed power to somewhere in the
boat where there is another switch which, in turn,
turns the item on and off. An example of this would
be the Master Stateroom Lighting circuit breaker: If
the breaker is turned off, the lights won’t work
unless they are turned on with the switches in the
stateroom.
But some of the other breakers are the only
switch for the item. An example of this would be the
McCarron Charger breaker: It’s circuit breaker is
the
only
controlling power switch.
On the next page is the list of the breakers how
they're used. Because a 50-amp cable has two
“hot” leads, there is a column telling which of these,
circuit #1 or circuit #2, powers the item.
Lower, Generator/Switch Panel
This panel has the controls for each generator
(see 4.7). In addition, there are
•
A
Reverse Polarity Indicator
(See 4.12)
•
Hour Meters
for the generators;
•
Pilot Lights
to show that power is on the two
circuits;
•
A Metering Selector Switch
to determine
which of the two circuits the AC voltmeter and
ammeter (see next page) is registering.
•
The
Power Selection Switches
(see 4.12) for
the boat’s supply.
These two panels control all AC power on the vessel.
Section 4F: Electrical Systems, AC 4.10
