Blue Sea Systems PN 8408 - Manual

1. Disconnect all AC and DC power

Disconnect all AC power originating on or off the vessel. This includes
inverters, generators, shore power attachments and any other device
capable of supplying AC power to the ship’s circuits.

Disconnect the main positive DC cable from all batteries to eliminate the
possibility of a short circuit and to disable the inverter while installing the
distribution panel.

2. Apply Voltage Label

All panel components are sized for 12 or 24 Volt systems. Use the labels
provided to permanently identify the system voltage and its type (DC) as
required by ABYC. Apply the appropriate voltage label to the recessed
area on the front of the panel.

3. Select mounting location and cut opening

If this panel is to serve as your main shore power disconnect circuit
breaker, select a location which is not more than 10 feet from the shore
power inlet or the electrical attachment point of a permanently installed
shore power cord as measured along the conductors of the feed wires. If
it is more than 10 feet, additional fuses or circuit breakers must be
installed within 10 feet of the shore power inlet.

Select a mounting location which is protected from water on the panel

front and back and is not in an area where flammable vapors from

propane, gasoline or lead acid batteries accumulate. The circuit breakers
used in marine electrical panels are not ignition protected and may ignite
such vapors.

Using the panel template provided, make a cutout in the mounting
surface where the distribution panel is to be mounted. Do not yet fasten
the panel to the mounting surface.

Marine Electrical Products

AC & DC Power Distribution Panel

PN 8408 / PN 3408 / PN 8508 / PN 3508

Specifications

Material:

0.125" 5052-H32 aluminum alloy

Primary Finish:

Chemical Treatment per MIL-SPEC C-5541CFinal

Panel Finish:

Graphite color 2 part textured Polyurethane

Maximum Amperage: Varies by components; busbar maximum 100A
Voltage Rating:

8408 / 3408 12 or 24 Volt DC* / 120 Volt AC Systems

8508 / 3408 12 or 24 Volt DC* / 230 Volt AC Systems

Inches Millimeters

Overall Dimensions: 15-3/4 × 10

400.10 × 254.00

* Configure your panel with the supplied voltage identification labels.

Features

DC 8408 / 3408 / 8508 / 3508

• One 100 Ampere C-Series DC main circuit breaker
• Eighteen circuit breaker positions, twelve 15 Ampere branch circuit

breakers installed

• DC digital multimeter PN 8248 with remote shunt and battery bank

selector switch

AC 8408 / 3408

• Eight circuit breaker positions, one 30A AC Main circuit breaker and three

15A branch crcuit breakers installed

• AC digital multimeter PN 8247

AC 8508 / 3508

• Eight circuit breaker positions, one 16A AC Main circuit breaker and three

8A branch circuit breakers installed

• AC digital multimeter PN 8247

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WARNING

]

These instructions are intended to provide assistance with the

installation of this product, and are not a substitute for a more

comprehensive understanding of electrical systems. We strongly
recommend that a competent electrical professional perform the

installation of this product.

]

If either the panel front or back is to be exposed to water it must be

protected with a waterproof shield.

]

The panels must not be installed in explosive environments such as

gasoline engine rooms or battery compartments as the circuit breakers
are not ignition protected.

]

The main positive connection must be disconnected at the battery post to

avoid the possibility of a short circuit during the installation of this
distribution panel.

]

The shunt must be installed in the negative line to avoid damage to the

meter. Positive voltage applied to digital meter terminals #4 and #5 will
cause damage to the meter not covered by warranty.

]

The vessel’s shore power cord must be disconnected form shoreside

power before installing this electrical panel.

]

If an inverter is installed on the vessel its power leads must be

disconnected at the battery before the panel installation. Be aware that
many inverters have a “sleep mode” in which their voltage potential may
not be detectable with measuring equipment.

]

If an AC Generator is installed aboard it must be stopped and rendered

inoperable before the panel is installed.

]

Verify that no other AC source is connected to the vessel’s wiring before

the panel is installed.

Blue Sea Systems Inc.

Phone (360) 738-8230

425 Sequoia Drive

Fax (360) 734-4195

Bellingham, WA 98226 USA

www.bluesea.com

Installation Set Up

1. Select positive feed wire and negative return

Determine the positive feed (red) and negative return (black or yellow)
wire size by calculating the total amperage of the circuits that will be
routed through the panel. Blue Sea Systems’ electrical panels are rated
at 100 amp total capacity. The positive feed wire must be sized for 3%
voltage drop at the 100 amp panel rating or the maximum amperage
that will be routed through the panel in any particular installation,
whichever is less. It is recommended that the positive feed wire be sized
for the full panel capacity, which, in most cases, will require at least 2
AWG wire, assuming a 10 foot wire run between the panel and the
batteries in 12 volt systems. Refer to the Wire Sizing Chart for other
situations. In the case of panels with two or more columns of breakers,
jumpers from positive bus to positive bus and from negative bus to
negative bus should be the same size as the positive feed and the
negative return wires.

Remember that the length of the circuit is the total of the positive wire

from the power source and the negative wire back to the DC Negative

Bus. Be certain that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size
protecting the positive feed wire.

2. Install shunt, negative return and positive feed

The DC digital meter shunt must be installed in the negative line of the
circuit whose current is to be measured. Refer to the DC meter

installation and operation manual prior to installing the shunt. Review the
Theory of Operation, Use, Installation Overview, Installing Shunt, Wiring
Diagram and Wire by Wire Instruction sections. Observe all warnings
regarding the shunt installation.

Connect a negative return wire from the negative bus on the panel to DC
negative and ultimately the load side of the shunt. Connect a positive
feed wire from the positive bus on the panel to DC positive. Be certain
that there is a fuse or circuit breaker of the correct size protecting the
positive feed wire.

DC Installation

9089 Rev. 006

Questions and Comments

We invite your questions and comments. You may contact us at the address

below. To find out more about our full line of marine electrical products visit

our web site at www.bluesea.com.

Guarantee

Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satisfied

may be returned for a refund or replacement at any time. Reference Blue

Sea Systems’ Digital Meter installation manual for specific meter

warranty information.