Shore power basics on cruising yachts

Overview

Shore power feeds 230 V AC from the marina pedestal through a shore inlet to your onboard distribution panel and battery charger. On Baltic cruisers this is seasonal — winter lay-up and spring commissioning are when most faults appear.

Key components

Part	Role
Shore inlet	Deck fitting with cap and chain — check for heat discoloration
Main breaker / RCD	Trips on leakage — test before each season
Battery charger	Isolated output to DC bank — separate from inverter if fitted
Inverter/charger combo	Transfer switch must not back-feed the dock

Safety checks

1. Polarity — use a plug tester at the pedestal before connecting
2. Cable — marine shore cord with correct amp rating; no domestic extension leads
3. RCD test — monthly in season; replace if nuisance trips increase
4. Galvanic isolation — zincs erode faster without isolation transformer on some marinas

Cross-read electrical budget at anchor and AGM vs lithium.

الأسئلة الشائعة

Can I run the kettle and charger together?

Only if shore breaker and cable rating allow — typical 16 A Nordic pedestals need load management.