Don’t Let Dock Electricity be a Worry This Summer!

Enjoying the summer in our DelMarVa area naturally involves time spent on the water with boats, jet skis and more water crafts. Making sure your dock electricity is up to code and inspected is a necessity. We can help upgrade your marine electrical services so that your dock is well-lit and safe and your lifts are functioning properly. Our electricians have worked on many dock electricity projects and have the experience to sort all kinds of electrical problems safely and efficiently.

Electrical services we offer for your dock, pier or shoreline include:

• Low voltage pier lighting
• Installing or repairing dock lift wiring
• Installing GFCI outlet receptacles
• Adding shore power circuits or pier wiring
• Upgrading or installing dock power distribution panels

 

Properly maintaining pier wiring is important for your safety. Since piers/docks move around due to the water, fittings can become loose creating problems. We use flexible fittings that move with your dock. We can inspect your wiring and suggest any needed improvements. In addition, be aware that your neighbor’s electrical hazards can also affect your pier so be sure to check to see that they are aware of the importance of maintaining safe wiring. There have been instances of people being electrocuted or drowning from electrical shock hazards due to pier electrical problems. Maintaining your wiring also reduces the electrolysis to all metals at your pier & your boat’s propellers, rudders, outdrives & such.

Here are some Dock Electricity Safety Tips from SafeElectricity.org

“Safe Electricity, with the American Boat and Yacht Council and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers/National Electrical Contractors Association, recommends adhering to these steps to improve water recreation safety and accident prevention:

• All electrical installations should be performed by a professional electrical contractor familiar with marine codes and standards and inspected at least once a year.
• Docks should have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breakers on the circuits feeding electricity to the dock.
• The metal frame of docks should be bonded to connect all metal parts to the alternating current (AC) safety ground at the power source. That will ensure any part of the metal dock that becomes energized because of electrical malfunction will trip the circuit breaker.
• Neighboring docks can also present a shock hazard. Make your neighbors aware of the need for safety inspections and maintenance. Marinas should comply with NFPA and NEC codes.”