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Blue Sea Systems ST (Screw Terminal) Blade Fuse Block receives DAME special mention at METS. The DAME design awards jury selected the ST Blade Fuse Block for special mention at the 2003 METS trade show. The jury commented "The ST Blade Fuse Block from Blue Sea Systems of the USA combines the virtues of commonly available ATO/ATC style fuses with marine-style screw terminals in a well designed unit." Click here for more information on the ST Blade Fuse Block.
Holiday Schedule We will be closed Thursday January 1st, 2004 for the holidays.
DC Main Overcurrent Protection Requirements ABYC standard E11.12.1.1.1 states that each ungrounded conductor connected to a battery charger, alternator, or other charging source, shall be provided with overcurrent protection within a distance of seven inches (175mm) of the point of connection to the DC electrical system or to the battery. The exceptions to this are: • When the conductor is enclosed in a sheath or enclosure such as conduit in addition to its insulation the 7" dimensions can be increased to 40". • If the conductor is connected directly to the battery terminal and is enclosed in a sheath or enclosure such as conduit in addition to its insulation the 7" dimension can be increased to 72". • The conductor connects to the starter for the engine. Figure 1 below shows the location of the circuit protection devices per ABYC standard E11.12.1.1.1  Figure 1 Any devices connected directly to the battery such as bow thrusters and windlasses are required to have a circuit protection device installed per the same guidelines above.  ST (Screw Terminal) Blade Fuse Block The ST (Screw Terminal) Blade Fuse Block was designed with screw terminals to comply with ABYC Recommended Practices and built with tin plated copper components for improved conductivity and lower operating temperatures. A cover comes standard with each model to protect the conductive surfaces from accidental shorting, label each circuit and store spare fuses. The ST Blade Fuse Block is ideal for use as a sub-panel in the DC distribution system. This solves the problem of large and expensive circuit breaker panels used to provide circuit protection for electronics and other branch circuits. With most circuit breaker panels a circuit breaker is used as well as an inline fuse for most electronic devices. Below is a diagram of a typical panel installation.  By using the ST Blade Fuse Block as a sub-panel the space used is reduced and fuses more appropriate for electronics can be used. This provides up to 12 branch circuits and does away with the inline fuses while using only one position on the panel. This allows the use of a smaller panel and the system has a lower overall cost per circuit.  A 12 circuit DC circuit breaker panel costs 10 times more per circuit on average and takes up 3 times as much space. The example below illustrates this.  The ST Blade Fuse Block is available with and without a grounding bus in 6 circuit and 12 circuit versions. Click here for more information. You are receiving this newsletter from Blue Sea Systems because you have contacted us or subscribed on our website. If you wish to unsubscribe, please send an E-mail to listmaster@bluesea.com with the word REMOVE as the subject. If you’ve received this newsletter from a third party and you wish to subscribe to Blue Sea Systems' eNewsletter, please send an E-mail to listmaster@bluesea.com with the word SUBSCRIBE as the subject. Blue Sea Systems would like to hear from you regarding any questions you may have, or any suggestions for publication in future editions of the Circuit Solutions™ Newsletter. Please send us your suggestions to: listmaster@bluesea.com. Copyright ©2003 - Blue Sea Systems, Inc. 425 Sequoia Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226 USA Phone: 360-738-8230 Fax: 360-734-4195 Website: www.bluesea.com |
