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TP-5695 12/93 Installation 6-13
isolator or isolation transformer is referenced in ABYC
E-8.20 and ABYC E-8.11.
Generator sets installed in commercial vessels are
governed by U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, Title 46, the
American Bureau of Shipping, and Lloyd’s Register of
Shipping. Grounding of equipment is covered in ABS
35.9.6 and Lloyd’s Part 6, Chapter 2-1, Section 1.3. The
types of permissible neutral grounding of generating
equipment are referenced in ABS 35.125 and 35.95.1
and in Lloyd’s Part 6, Chapter 2-1, Section 14.4. Ground
fault protection information can be found in Lloyd’s Part
6, Chapter 2-1, Section 14.5 and Part 6, Chapter 2-2,
Section 13.6.
Battery
Batteries and their installation must conform to U.S.C.G.
Regulations 183.420 (a) through (g). Generator sets
should use batteries separate from the propulsion
engines whenever possible. Both the generator set and
the propulsion engines’ starting/charging systems must
have a common negative (--) ground.
U.S.C.G Regulation 183.415, Grounding, requires a
common conductor to be connected to each grounded
cranking motor circuit. This conductor should be sized to
match the larger of the engines’ two battery cables.
(Cable sizes for generator set battery connections are
given in Figure 6-20.) This requirement prevents the
starting motor current from using alternative electrical
paths should the cranking motor ground circuit be
restricted or open due to oxidation or loose hardware.
These alternative electrical paths include metallic fuel
lines which can pose a fire hazard. See Figure 6-21 for
battery connections to generator set.
Distance Between
Generator Set and
Battery
At 0° F
(--18° C)
Cable
Size
(AWG)
At 32° F
(0° C)
At 75° F
(24° C)
40 ft. (12.2 m) 00 0 1
30 ft. (9.1 m) 0 1 2
25 ft. (7.6 m) 1 2 4
20 ft. (6.1 m) 2 2 6
15 ft. (4.6 m) 2 4 6
10 ft. (3.0 m) 4 6 8
5 ft. (1.5 m) 6 6 8
2.5 ft. (0.8 m) 8 8 8
Figure 6-20. Battery Cable Sizes
1. Battery Positive (+)
Connection
2. Battery Negative (--)
Connection
1
2
ADV-5792-D
Figure 6-21. Battery Connection Bracket
Wiring
All wiring must be stranded copper. Wire gauges and
insulation, conductor temperature ratings, sheath
stripping, conductor support and protection, conductor
terminals and splices, and overcurrent protection
(circuit breakers, fuses) must conform to U.S.C.G.
Regulations 183.425 through 183.460. Use rubber
grommets and cable ties, as necessary, to protect and
secure wiring from sharp objects, exhaust system, and
any moving parts.