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Author Topic:   30-Ampere Circuit Breaker

kamie posted 04-05-2007 07:52 PM ET (US)
I had a 30-ampere circuit breaker on the console which was used as a main power switch for all the electronics. It was wired in-line between the battery and the fuse block. Is that overkill or should I re-install it when I wire my new console?
The real reason I am asking is I have actually lost the original one, and the new ones don't seem like they would fit thru the dash? Here is a photo of the original one and the new dash panels will be 1/2 inch teak.
kamie.homelinux.org/kamie/html/wiring.html

jimh posted 04-05-2007 11:00 PM ET (US)
Use some caution in using a circuit breaker as a switch. Some circuit breakers are not rated for continual operation on and off as a circuit control device.
Your primary battery distribution needs some over-current protection device, so do not omit a fuse or circuit breaker.
HAPPYJIM posted 04-05-2007 11:12 PM ET (US)
And keep in mind that the breaker protects wiring not equipment.
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-06-2007 07:38 AM ET (US)
And a 30A breaker would be used to protect about 10 ga
wire. I'll bet your wiring is lighter than that.
Having a master breaker is a good idea.
kamie posted 04-06-2007 12:53 PM ET (US)
Jim, Chuck
This breaker is before the fuse panel so all the electronics are actually protected by individual fuses. The boat was originally setup so that 10 gauge wire ran from the battery to the breaker. There was then 10 gauge wire run from the breaker to a fuse block and from that 16 gauge wire was run to all the electronics.
"Your primary battery distribution needs some over-current protection device, so do not omit a fuse or circuit breaker. " This would function as a curcuit breaker for that or would I need something else, besides a 30 Amp curcuit breaker and individual fuses?
davej14 posted 04-07-2007 09:25 PM ET (US)
I do not understand the logic of running 10ga wire from the battery to a remotely located circuit breaker and then another 10ga wire from the circuit breaker to the fuse panel. If you want to protect the primary wiring the proper place for a fuse is at the battery.
kamie posted 04-08-2007 10:54 AM ET (US)
Dave,
Are you suggesting an inline 30amp fuse between the battery and the main fuse panel is all I need?
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-08-2007 11:02 AM ET (US)
If all you want to do is to protect the 10 ga primary wire,
then a 30A fuse at the battery is the way to go. If you also
need a shutoff, then I think I'd add a switch on the console.
Where is the battery? In the console? Aft? Somewhere else?

Chuck
kamie posted 04-08-2007 09:23 PM ET (US)
Chuck,
The battery is in the splashwell and will remain there.
I believe I will recreate the same setup I had before. 30Amp circuit Breaker / switch on the dash and I will power the main fuse panel from that. If I can find the old one, I will be in luck, otherwise I will need to pickup a new one.
davej14 posted 04-15-2007 03:21 PM ET (US)
Kamie,
Unless you fuse the 10 ga panel feed at the battery it will not be protected against a short circuit along its length prior to the circuit breaker. What Chuck is saying is correct, the fuse should be located at the battery.
There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch. If your cutout is sized for the circuit breaker I would just pop in another one but I would also consider adding a fuse at the battery.

davej14 posted 04-15-2007 03:22 PM ET (US)
Kamie,
Unless you fuse the 10 ga panel feed at the battery it will not be protected against a short circuit along its length prior to the circuit breaker. What Chuck is saying is correct, the fuse should be located at the battery.
There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch. If your cutout is sized for the circuit breaker I would just pop in another one but I would also consider adding a fuse at the battery.

kamie posted 04-16-2007 06:42 PM ET (US)
"There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch"
I am thinking that 25 years is a pretty good lifespan, and as far as I know the breaker still functions. I have found replacement breakers so I am going to recreate the original setup. Thanks for all the suggestions.

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Author	Topic: 30-Ampere Circuit Breaker
kamie	posted 04-05-2007 07:52 PM ET (US) I had a 30-ampere circuit breaker on the console which was used as a main power switch for all the electronics. It was wired in-line between the battery and the fuse block. Is that overkill or should I re-install it when I wire my new console? The real reason I am asking is I have actually lost the original one, and the new ones don't seem like they would fit thru the dash? Here is a photo of the original one and the new dash panels will be 1/2 inch teak. kamie.homelinux.org/kamie/html/wiring.html
jimh	posted 04-05-2007 11:00 PM ET (US) Use some caution in using a circuit breaker as a switch. Some circuit breakers are not rated for continual operation on and off as a circuit control device. Your primary battery distribution needs some over-current protection device, so do not omit a fuse or circuit breaker.
HAPPYJIM	posted 04-05-2007 11:12 PM ET (US) And keep in mind that the breaker protects wiring not equipment.
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-06-2007 07:38 AM ET (US) And a 30A breaker would be used to protect about 10 ga wire. I'll bet your wiring is lighter than that. Having a master breaker is a good idea.
kamie	posted 04-06-2007 12:53 PM ET (US) Jim, Chuck This breaker is before the fuse panel so all the electronics are actually protected by individual fuses. The boat was originally setup so that 10 gauge wire ran from the battery to the breaker. There was then 10 gauge wire run from the breaker to a fuse block and from that 16 gauge wire was run to all the electronics. "Your primary battery distribution needs some over-current protection device, so do not omit a fuse or circuit breaker. " This would function as a curcuit breaker for that or would I need something else, besides a 30 Amp curcuit breaker and individual fuses?
davej14	posted 04-07-2007 09:25 PM ET (US) I do not understand the logic of running 10ga wire from the battery to a remotely located circuit breaker and then another 10ga wire from the circuit breaker to the fuse panel. If you want to protect the primary wiring the proper place for a fuse is at the battery.
kamie	posted 04-08-2007 10:54 AM ET (US) Dave, Are you suggesting an inline 30amp fuse between the battery and the main fuse panel is all I need?
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-08-2007 11:02 AM ET (US) If all you want to do is to protect the 10 ga primary wire, then a 30A fuse at the battery is the way to go. If you also need a shutoff, then I think I'd add a switch on the console. Where is the battery? In the console? Aft? Somewhere else? Chuck
kamie	posted 04-08-2007 09:23 PM ET (US) Chuck, The battery is in the splashwell and will remain there. I believe I will recreate the same setup I had before. 30Amp circuit Breaker / switch on the dash and I will power the main fuse panel from that. If I can find the old one, I will be in luck, otherwise I will need to pickup a new one.
davej14	posted 04-15-2007 03:21 PM ET (US) Kamie, Unless you fuse the 10 ga panel feed at the battery it will not be protected against a short circuit along its length prior to the circuit breaker. What Chuck is saying is correct, the fuse should be located at the battery. There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch. If your cutout is sized for the circuit breaker I would just pop in another one but I would also consider adding a fuse at the battery.
davej14	posted 04-15-2007 03:22 PM ET (US) Kamie, Unless you fuse the 10 ga panel feed at the battery it will not be protected against a short circuit along its length prior to the circuit breaker. What Chuck is saying is correct, the fuse should be located at the battery. There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch. If your cutout is sized for the circuit breaker I would just pop in another one but I would also consider adding a fuse at the battery.
kamie	posted 04-16-2007 06:42 PM ET (US) "There is no harm in using a circuit breaker for a switch but it will not have the lifetime of a regular switch" I am thinking that 25 years is a pretty good lifespan, and as far as I know the breaker still functions. I have found replacement breakers so I am going to recreate the original setup. Thanks for all the suggestions.