Ship-to-Shore Power Cable

[svrevelations]

We need a new shore power cable and my electrician suggested that we use Ancor 6AWG three core AC cable - 50A, 125/250V, 6 Gauge, 4 Conductors. My concern is his price for this cable - 32 yards at $2200.00. What do you think?

[Unicorn Dreams]

Why do you need 96'?

Is this for dock to boat or house to dock?

You look to be one cable short, boat that size should be 220 VAC

[Blue Stocking]

Pacer Marine advertising 6/4 for $12.29 ft.

[minaret]

I recently got 75' at about 800$ after tax. Fisheries Supply...

[HopCar]

That price on Ancor wire sounds strange. You can buy 50ft 50Amp 125/250 Marinco 6152SPP cord sets for about $700.00 each. These cord sets are made from 6 ga. 4 conductor wire. It's probably Ancor wire since Marinco is the parent company of Ancor.

[svrevelations]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams

Why do you need 96'?
Is this for dock to boat or house to dock?
You look to be one cable short, boat that size should be 220 VAC

The cable is for marina dock to boat. This was the cable recommended by our marine electrician - I would not know any better. Here in South Africa, all power cables have 3 internal wires. Having said this, I looked around at some pre-made cables sold elsewhere and noticed that some of these cable have 4 internal wires!? Why?

For example: Fisheries - Product Detail

[GordMay]

The linked 4 wire cable is for 50 Amp 125/250V service.
The 4 wires will be:
1 - Black ungrounded hot (120V to Neutral)
1 - Red ungrounded hot (120V to Neutral)
240V between Black & Red
1 - Grounded White Neutral

[svrevelations]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The linked 4 wire cable is for 50 Amp 125/250V service.
The 4 wires will be:
1 - Black ungrounded hot (120V to Neutral)
1 - Red ungrounded hot (120V to Neutral)
240V between Black & Red
1 - Grounded White Neutral

Hi Gord

So it seeems to for a dual current system 125 and 250 volt system. I would imagine that it "self adjusts" (for lack of a better word).

[Unicorn Dreams]

The system is designed to have 120v go to each side of the breaker box, if 240v is needed the breaker connecys both sides of the box to get the 240V.
That's why most breaker boxes usually have 2 roes of switches..

[HopCar]

"The cable is for marina dock to boat. This was the cable recommended by our marine electrician - I would not know any better. Here in South Africa, all power cables have 3 internal wires. Having said this, I looked around at some pre-made cables sold elsewhere and noticed that some of these cable have 4 internal wires!? Why?"


I think you may be running into the European 220 volt systems. They use three conductors, not the four conductors used in US systems.

Take a look at the Marinco International series of electrical fittings:
http://www.marinco.com/files/media/p...o%20pg32_6.pdf

Wiring instructions: http://www.marinco.com/files/support...als/102745.pdf

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by HopCar

"The cable is for marina dock to boat. This was the cable recommended by our marine electrician - I would not know any better. Here in South Africa, all power cables have 3 internal wires. Having said this, I looked around at some pre-made cables sold elsewhere and noticed that some of these cable have 4 internal wires!? Why?"


I think you may be running into the European 220 volt systems. They use three conductors, not the four conductors used in US systems.

Take a look at the Marinco International series of electrical fittings:
http://www.marinco.com/files/media/p...o%20pg32_6.pdf

Wiring instructions: http://www.marinco.com/files/support...als/102745.pdf

My thought as well, but OP says 125/250 ??

[GordMay]

See also, the “Marinco Guide to AC Electrical”

Here ➥ http://www.marinco.com/files/media/g...r%27sGuide.pdf

➥ Marinco Guide to AC Electrical | Marinco

[svrevelations]

Here is the reply from the marine electrical company;

A four wire cable system refers to boats with 240 and 120Vac equipment system requirements. Your boat is wired for 220Vac only but can accept 120Vac input from the dock.

The isolation transformer installed on board will step the 120Vac input voltage up to 220Vac. A three core cable is all you need.

[capngeo]

The reason for 4 conductors is one for each 120V leg (2) a neutral, and a ground

[osirissail]

Originally Posted by MooseMoney

We need a new shore power cable and my electrician suggested that we use Ancor 6AWG s three core AC cable - 50A, 125/250V, 6 Gauge, 4 Conductors. My concern is hiprice for this cable - 32 yards at $2200.00. What do you think?

So the OP is wired for European AC and only needs 3 conductor cable and not 4 conductor. But anyway there is portable heavy duty cables available for less than a third of what he was quoted.
- - It is not necessary to purchase "Marine" shore power cable when you can use flexible electrical cable from a local electrical supply house for half or less of the "Marine" price - especially when purchasing very long cables like the 100 ft (32m) the OP listed.