a random shore power question

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williamabernathy

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Hi, All,

Can anyone tell me if shore power receptacles (boat or dock side) are supposed to be oriented a certain way, such as ground at 12 o'clock or ground at 6 o'clock, anything like that? I am guessing there is an industry standard, but I can't recall how mine are oriented.

Many thanks for your help.

V/R
 
Here's a guideline

Shore-Power-1.jpg


https://www.21cii.com/ITStudio/Content/Appendix/Plug & Power Guide.htm
 
Michael,

Yep, I've seen that diagram, which is similar to Figure 12 in ABYC E-11. I'm still puzzling whether these show the industry standard for receptacles (for 30a / L5-30) or if that's just how they happened to be shown in those diagrams for no particular reason.

I do appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
 
You do raise a good question. I have never seen any definition of how the sockets should be oriented but have always followed the example of the drawings. I do note that the 15/20A three prong plug common in homes is opposite the three prong shown on the drawing above.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

You do raise a good question. I have never seen any definition of how the sockets should be oriented but have always followed the example of the drawings. I do note that the 15/20A three prong plug common in homes is opposite the three prong shown on the drawing above.

Click to expand...


The home electrical code recently changed from ground down to ground up, reasoning if something fell onto a loose plug it should hit ground before live.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

You do raise a good question. I have never seen any definition of how the sockets should be oriented but have always followed the example of the drawings. I do note that the 15/20A three prong plug common in homes is opposite the three prong shown on the drawing above.

Click to expand...


3 years ago I installed a complete 30-amp circuit in my boat to power the A/C that I also installed. I used that (or a similar) pictorial to orient the wires. I've had no issues with power or reverse polarity at any of the 7 or 8 different marinas I've hooked up to since, using both 30-amp outlets and a 50-amp outlet with a splitter. I'll also note tht the old exising 30-amp circuit on the boat was wired up the same way.

Net-net, I believe that there IS a standard, and it's shown in that pic.
 
Commercial 20A receptacles are usually ground up for the reason that Mike mentioned. Not only would something hit the hot, it could also bridge hot and neutral causing a short.
 
I just checked out web sites for Marinco and that online cartage company in Connecticut, and this is what I found (all 30 amp, L5-30):

(1) Furrion, boat side assembly w/cover (male prongs) -- ground at 4 o'clock
(2) Marinco, boat side assembly w/cover (male prongs) -- ground at 7 o'clock
(3) Marinco, dock side assembly w/cover (female receptacle) -- ground at 7 o'clock
(4) Marinco, dock side, bare receptacle only w/o assembly (female receptacle) -- ground at 12 o'clock (printed text on the receptacle would orient it to 12 o'clock, but I suppose it could go at 6 o'clock, too)
(5) WM video that showed twin 30 amp dockside receptacles' grounds at 3 o'clock (just like the pictures in this thread)
(6) A YouTube video that showed twin 30s on the dock with both grounds at 12 o'clock

Dang. Now I'm really puzzled. (And I guess I could have done this search before posting my original question. Pardon me for not having done so.)

I do appreciate everyone's input.
 
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