Blue Sea Systems ELCI User manual

PROJECT
SHORE
POWER
Install an
ELCI Breaker
Safeguard swimmers near your
boat against electrocution from
stray AC current
Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter (ELCI)
New ABYC recommendation for
ELCI circuit protection inside

The combination of a ground fault and a faulty ground can
result in metal parts on the boat and under water
becoming energized. When these two conditions occur at
the same time, the results may be tragic. If an electric
appliance with faulty internal wiring or a worn cord falls
into the bilge, the water in the bilge will become
energized, putting the worker and those nearby at risk.
In addition to the hazard to people on the vessel, there is
a larger danger to swimmers near the boat. While people
on board are likely to receive a shock from touching
energized metal parts, nearby swimmers could receive a
paralyzing dose of electricity and drown due to involuntary
loss of muscle control.
A Coast Guard sponsored study
showed numerous instances of
electrical leakage causing drowning
or potential drowning even though
the shock did not directly cause
electrocution.
Given the seriousness of the problem, the American Boat
and Yacht Council (ABYC) requirements now include
specific measures for avoiding this danger.
See ABYC E-11.13.3.5 and ABYC E-11.11.1

There are two potential failures in a
boat’s electrical system that can put
people on or around the boat at risk
of lethal electric shock.
#1 FAILURE: GROUND FAULT
Occurs when current leaks from the hot or neutral wire to the
ground wire commonly caused by insulation failure of the
wire. An ELCI Circuit Breaker detects the current imbalance
and opens (trips), stopping the dangerous flow of current.
Example: An insulation failure in the wiring of an appliance.
#2 FAILURE: FAULTY GROUND
Occurs when the grounding path is broken as a result of a
loose connection or a broken wire. An ELCI Circuit Breaker
detects the current imbalance and opens (trips), stopping the
dangerous flow of current.
Example: A shore power cord ground wire failure due to
constant motion and stress.
PROPERLY FUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In a properly functioning electrical system, the same amount
of AC current flows in the hot and neutral wires.
20 AMPS 19.970 AMPS
SHORT LIMITED TO
0.030 AMPS (30mA)
19.970 AMPS
20 AMPS
CURRENT COIL
POTENTIAL HAZARD
BROKEN GROUND
ENERGIZED
SURFACE
HOT
NEUTRAL
GROUND
120 VOLT 60 Hz
POTENTIAL HAZARD
OPENS WHEN AN IMBALLANCE IN
CURRENT IS DETECTED
19.970
AMPS
THROUGH
LOAD
20 AMPS 19.970 AMPS
CURRENT LEAKING TO GROUND
0.030 AMPS (30mA)
19.970
AMPS
THROUGH
LOAD
19.970 AMPS
20 AMPS
OPENS WHEN AN IMBALLANCE IN
CURRENT IS DETECTED
CURRENT COIL
0.030 AMPS (30mA) CURRENT LEAKING FROM HOT WIRE
HOT
NEUTRAL
GROUND
120 VOLT 60 Hz
20 AMPS
20 AMPS
20 AMPS
THROUGH
LOAD
20 AMPS
CLOSED
CURRENT COIL
HOT
NEUTRAL
GROUND
120 VOLT 60 Hz

SHORE
POWER
AC Inlet
AC Loads
Battery
Charger
GFCI
Outlet
GFCI
Outlet
AC Loads
AC Main +
Branch Circuits
including GFCI
outlets and
battery charger
Surface
Mount
System
With
ELCI
Main
installed
within
10 ft. of
shore power
AC inlet
SHORE
POWER
AC Inlet
Battery
Charger
GFCI
Outlet
GFCI
Outlet
Whole Boat
Circuit Protection
GFCI Outlet
Circuit Protection
AC Main +
Branch Circuits
including GFCI
outlets and
battery charger
GET FROM HERE
AC Main + Branch
circuit protection
TO HERE
Branch circuits with ELCI Main circuit protection
provide overcurrent and leakage protection per
ABYC E-11 for whole boat shore power protection

SHORE
POWER
AC Inlet
AC Loads
Battery
Charger
GFCI
Outlet
GFCI
Outlet
AC Loads
AC Main +
Branch Circuits
including GFCI
outlets and
battery charger
Surface
Mount
System
With
ELCI
Main
installed
within
10 ft. of
shore power
AC inlet
SHORE
POWER
AC Inlet
Battery
Charger
GFCI
Outlet
GFCI
Outlet
Whole Boat
Circuit Protection
GFCI Outlet
Circuit Protection
AC Main +
Branch Circuits
including GFCI
outlets and
battery charger
WHAT DOES THE ELCI AND GFCI DO?
Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ELCIs) are
Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBOs) which
combine protection from current leakage detection with
the overcurrent protection provided by an AC Main circuit
breaker. ELCIs and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
(GFCIs) measure current flow in the hot and neutral wires
and immediately switch the electricity off if an imbalance
of current flow is detected.
ELCIs provide whole-boat protection at the 30mA
threshold. Installed as required within 10 feet of the
shore power inlet, an ELCI provides protection against
ground faults and faulty grounds for the AC shore power
system on the boat. ELCIs provide protection against
faults in wiring and wired appliances where GFCIs are
not required. See the blue pages of this guide for
more detail.
GFCIs are used as branch circuit ground fault protection
at the 5mA threshold in potentially wet environments.
They protect against electrocution from devices plugged
into a GFCI-protected outlet.
Both ELCIs and GFCIs are required by ABYC. They are
an important part of a boat’s safety system, providing
protection for those in and around the boat.
ABYC RECOMMENDATIONS
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
ABYC E–11.13.3.5 states:
If installed in a head, galley, machinery space, or on a weather
deck, the receptacle shall be protected by a Type A (nominal
5 milliamperes) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI).
Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters (ELCIs)
ABYC E-11.11.1 states:
An Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter (ELCI) shall be
installed with or in addition to the main shore power
disconnect circuit breaker(s) or at the additional overcurrent
protection as required by E-11.10.2.8.3 whichever is closer
to the shore power connection.
Note: E-11.11.1 Compliance is mandatory starting January 1, 2013.

GFCI BRANCH AND ELCI MAIN
CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING OPTIONS
Update existing 360 Panel System to
comply with ABYC E-11
360 Panel System Traditional Metal Panel
Update existing Traditional Metal toggle
circuit breaker panel to comply with ABYC E-11
Mounts on a bulkhead in a lazarette,
engine room, or equipment space
Ignition protection
Surface Mount System
ELCI Main RockerGFCI Branch Rocker
ELCI Main Toggle
Per ABYC, the ELCI panel cannot be mounted further
than the reach of a 10 ft. cable from the AC power inlet
Requires 3 circuit positions
(2) AC Main, (1) Test Button
Requires 3 circuit positions
(2) AC Main, (1) Test Button
Requires 2 circuit positions
(1) AC Branch, (1) Test Button
LEGEND

GFCI BRANCH AND ELCI MAIN
CIRCUIT BREAKER MOUNTING OPTIONS
Load Neutral (white)
Pigtail Wire (white)
Load
Neutral
(white)
Line
Hot
(black)
Line
Hot
(black)
Neutral
Bus
AC Power
Distribution
Panel
Source
ELCI INSTALLATION REVIEW
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Do not ground neutral wire on the load side of the ELCI.
2. Test once a month.
3. Do not reverse line and load connections.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:
1. Unplug shore power or turn off and lock out the power to
the enclosure in which the ELCI is to be installed.
2. Turn off the ELCI handle. Feed the load side (L1) hot
and (N) neutral wires through the opening in the
sensing coil. Connect to the appropriate load side
terminals of the circuit breaker. Connect corresponding
line side (source) wires directly to the Breaker
Line Terminals.
3. Connect the white pigtail neutral wire of the ELCI to
the panel load neutral bus bar or the load side neutral
terminal (see below).
4. Mount ELCI to front panel and mount front panel to
enclosure (may be mounted first, depending on installation).
5. Turn on power and turn on breaker handle.
6. Press test button to confirm trip and reset breaker.
7. Place Monthly Test Reminder label in a convenient
place near (or on) the panel.
For information about GFCI installation, please refer to www.bluesea.com
See ELCI instruction
IST-0006 Rev.B

425 Sequoia Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226 USA
p 360.738.8230
p 800.222.7617 USA and Canada
f 360.734.4195
[email protected]
www.bluesea.com
Order PN 20024 for one 20 pack of this guide
© Copyright 2012 Blue Sea Systems, Inc.
980010950 Rev. 002