Why is a ground-fault detection system necessary?
Electric shock drowning (ESD) can happen in any body of water. Marinas are typically equipped with electrical devices such as electrical outlets, boat power, lighting, boat lifts, and more, which make them a common place for people to experience ESD. Boats connected to marina shore power can also create an ESD hazard. Electric shock drowning occurs when an electric ground-fault current shocks nearby swimmers. If powerful enough, the shock will paralyze swimmers, leaving them unable to swim out of the water and away from the shock.
Bender MarinaGuard® panels monitor for ground faults in the feeder and branch circuits supplying electricity to marinas, boat yards, docking facilities, and similar locations. If a ground fault is detected, the MarinaGuard trips the offending circuit and flashes a red strobe light to alert those nearby. The MarinaGuard panels satisfy the monitoring requirements of NEC Article 555.35 and CE Code Rule 78-052.
How does it work?
Bender provides advanced ground fault monitoring and protection systems to assist in the mitigation of ground faults and electric shock hazards for marinas. The power supply is tripped when a ground fault is detected, including at the time a boat connects to shore power. Monitoring capabilities can be provided anywhere from the main feeder down to the individual pedestals and boats. Low-level ground fault current can be detected, even at the 'let-go' current level and below. Continuous monitoring with digital metering inform staff and technicians of ground fault issues, assisting in predictive maintenance.
MarinaGuard® panels are available with single-channel monitoring or twelve-channel monitoring from a single panel. Each circuit features an adjustable trip level to set below the maximum allowed, if desired. External current transformers are used for measuring ground-fault current and are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and core types.
