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Electrical Boat Dock Safety Tips
With summer officially underway, it’s important to make sure that it’s a safe one. This includes proper safety on the dock! SJ Electric wants to remind everyone to practice electrical safety on the docks with our list of boat dock safety tips!
Install a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, GFCI for short, is essential in order to take safety precautions on the dock. Without a GFCI installed on each and every electrical receptacle, anyone that is taking the boat out onto the water is in danger of a freak electrical accident that could result in serious injury and even death.
To prevent such accidents from happening, the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) (articles 533 and 555) has made it a requirement that all docks have these fast-acting circuit breakers installed on all electrical boxes on your dock. In the event of any faulty electrical wiring or equipment, this device reacts within 1/40 of a second to close off the electrical current and keep you and your family safe.
Have your GFCI tested regularly
Once you’ve installed your GFCI, it’s important to make sure that it works and that it stays working. It’s important to have a local fire code professional test your GFCI monthly to ensure everything is working properly and free of any malfunctions. Yes, once a month. Do not skip it. It is worth taking a moment from being out in the sun to guarantee everyone’s safety.
Install bonding jumpers
Bonding jumpers connect the metal parts of your dock to a grounding rod on the shore. Having your dock properly grounded this way triggers the GFCI and shut off power immediately anytime an electrical current passes through your dock. These two devices combined ensure proper dock safety so the only thing you’ll need to worry about while out on the lake is reapplying sunscreen.
Check on neighboring docks
Even with having your dock professionally installed and grounded, surrounding and neighboring docks can still be hazardous. It’s best not to take any chances on an avoidable accident. Reach out to your dock neighbors and make sure they also have their docks properly installed and grounded. If they don’t, you can recommend SJ electric to get them taken care of right away so everyone can get back to playing safely.
Always install professionally
No matter how handy or resourceful you are or think you are, never take the risk of doing any electrical job on your own. Because of the nature of electricity, even a slightly faulted installation can create a dangerous environment for you and your family. Call a licensed electrical contractor to install your GFCI, bonding jumpers and emergency shut off switches. This way if anything goes wrong you can be safe without even going on your dock.
Regular electrical inspections
Now that you have a professionally installed and safe dock, it’s now your job to make sure it stays safe. With all of the natural elements that a dock is constantly exposed to, any number of malfunctions and issues can arise. Having a professional inspect your dock’s electrical safety systems annually will ensure your dock is ready for all the summer fun you deserve.
These boat dock safety tips will not only make sure you’re up to code with the NEC, they will also make sure you don’t have to be worried while having fun on your dock.
The first step to addressing dock safety is finding the right electrical contractor to help with the job. This process can often be more challenging than you might expect. SJ Electric makes the decision a whole lot easier. Our team of 10 licensed and certified electrical contractors are here to make sure your summer is safe while you’re out on the dock. Call us today at 913-837-3549 to get you safe and ready for all the summer fun!
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