[C320-list] Outlet Wiring

[Brian McLamb]

Have you already checked the breaker switch in aft locker near shore
power supply?  If that trips off everything shuts down until you switch it
back.

Brian McLamb


On Sat, Jul 6, 2024 at 9:45 AM Jeff Smith via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> To all,
>
> We just returned from the boat. Yesterday we had an a/c unit plugged into
> the kitchen outlet and then my wife plugged an electric kettle into the
> GFCI outlet at the Nav Station. Apparently this was too much current draw.
> Now, none of the outlets don’t work. The push button breaker on the main
> panel did reset. I also measured 120v at the top of the breaker in the
> panel (by probing the two wires on top). I know I have 110 coming into the
> boat, as the battery charger was operating. I did not have the wiring
> diagram with me, though now that I am home, I now have access to the wiring
> schematics. The boat is 3.5 hours away, so I am trying to get everything I
> need before I go back to repair.
>
> A few questions:
> 1. I am thinking that If the main outlet circuit breaker (the 15 amp) was
> blown, it would not reset. Does that make sense?
>
> If that is the case, then I can only surmise that either we burnt up a
> wire (and thankfully did not start a fire), most likely the wire from the
> circuit breaker into the outlet buss bar, or that the outlet buss bar is
> toast (which seems less likely).
>
> 2. If the push button on the circuit breaker will stay in even if blown,
> then the breaker seems the most likely culprit. I am assuming the easiest
> way to test this is to remove the circuit breaker from circuit temporarily
> (wire the two blacks together) and see if I get power to the other outlets.
> 3. Initially, my thought was the GFCI at the Nav station was first in
> line, with all outlets in series. However, my wiring diagram shows the
> galley from one lug of the buss bar, and the rest of the outlets from a
> second lug on the buss bar. Am I correct that the galley branch should not
> affect the Nav station branch, and vice versa?
>
> FInal question:
> 4. The GFCI at the Nav Station would not reset. Assuming this outlet is
> bad, can I replace this with any GFCI, or do I need a special outlet for
> boats?
>
> Thanks in advance for your comments.
>
> Jeff
> #121