A panel mountable ELCI:



Some time ago I discussed a device that is now going to become a requirement for new boats based on ABYC Standard E-11 this coming July 31st. The ELCI is going to provide whole boat ground fault protection and is in my mind one of the most signiifcant safety devices we at the ABYC have added to our list of requirements in a decade. My friends at Blue Sea Systems have just added a wonderful technical brief to their newsletter yesterday pictorially explaining the how and why of this device. You can check out this very informative and pictorial  explanation by copying and pasting on this link: http://bluesea.com/viewresource/1381


 My hope is that although these devices will only be required on new boats looking forward, many boaters will consider this life saving device as a high priority for upgrading their existing boat. A list of distribution outlets and location is shown below:


West Marine, All over


Fisheries Supply Company, Seattle


Kellog Marine, Old Lyme, CT


Peter Kennedy Yacht Services, Annapolis


Svendsen's Marine Distributing, Alameda, CA


U.S. Distributing, Portland, OR


Polaris, Marine Electric Supply, St. Augustine, FL


C.E. Beckman Co., New Bedford, MA


Brewer's Marine Supply, Hamilton, ONT


Fawcett's, Annapolis


Hamilton Marine, Searsport, ME


Defender Industries, Waterford, CT


Western Marine Company, Vancouver, BC


Seawide Marine Distribution, Murrietta, CA


Seattle Marine and Fishing, Seattle, WA

Written by: Ed Sherman
Ed Sherman is a regular contributor to boats.com, as well as to Professional Boatbuilder and Cruising World, where he previously was electronics editor. He also is the curriculum director for the American Boat and Yacht Council. Previously, Ed was chairman of the Marine Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. Ed’s blog posts appear courtesy of his website, EdsBoatTips.