Instructions

Marine Electrical Prod ucts
Panel Specications
Material 0.100″ 5052-H32 aluminum alloy
Primary Finish Chemical treatment per MIL SPEC C-5541C
Final Panel Finish White/Black color 2 part textured Polyurethane
USB Charger 4.8A dual USB Type A with intelligent device
recognition (1039)
Switches Contura Water-Resistant (5 positions)
Circuit Breaker Push Button Reset-Only Circuit Breakers (5 positions)
Amperage Rating Switch and Circuit Breaker,
20A @12V DC, 15A @ 24V DC
Cumulative Rating 45A
Voltage Rating Panels are rated for 12V or 24V DC
Circuit Indicator LED embedded in switch, rated 100,000 hour 1/2 life
Inches Millimeters
Panel Depth 2.75 69.90
Overall Dimensions 4.50 x 7.5 114.3 x 190.5
Mounting Centers 3.67 x 3.34 93.2 x 84.7
Regulatory
CE marked
The Purpose of a Panel
There are ve purposes of a marine electrical panel:
• Power distribution
• Circuit (wire) protection
• Circuit ON/OFF switching
• Metering of voltage and amperage (panels with meters)
• Condition indication (circuit energized)
980037760 Rev.001
WARNING
1. Calculate the maximum sustained amperage of the circuit. Measure
the length of the circuit from the power source to the load and back.
2. Decide whether the circuit runs in an engine space or non engine
space. Engine spaces are assumed to be at 50 degrees C, non engine
spaces are assumed to be at 30 degrees C.
3. Multiply the maximum current times the length of the circuit to calculate
Famps (Feet x amps).
4. Base the wire on either the 3% or 10% voltage drop. In general, items
which affect the safe operation of the boat and its passengers (running
lights, bilge blowers, electronics and distribution panel supply circuits)
use 3%; all other loads use 10% (cabin lights, bait pumps).
5. Starting in the column which has the right voltage and voltage drop
shown at the top, run down the list of numbers until arriving at a value
which is greater than the calculated Famps. Move left to the Ampacity
column to verify that the total amperage of the circuit does not exceed
the maximum allowable amperage of the wire size for that row.
If it does, move down until the wire ampacity exceeds the circuit
amperage. Finally, move left to the wire size column to select the
wire size.
Examples
a. A 12 Volt system at 10% drop with a 40' circuit x 45 Amps = 1800
Famps. A wire size of 8 is required.
b. A 24 Volt system at 3% drop with a 10' circuit x 100 A mps = 1000
Famps. A wire size of 6 is required.
Note: This chart assumes wire with 105°C insulation rating and AWG wire sizes.
*Metric wire sizes may be used if of equivalent circular mil area.
Wire Sizing Chart
Wire sizing chart
Use the wire sizing chart below to determine the minimum
branch circuit wire sizes.
Blue Sea Systems, Inc.
4600 Ryzex Way
Bellingham, WA 98226 USA
p 360.738.8230
bluesea.com
8421 (white) / 8521 (black) Water-Resistant Contura Panels
DC Power Distribution Panel with USB Charging
These instructions are intended to provide assistance with the
installation of this product, and are not a substitute for a more
comprehensive understanding of electrical systems. We strongly
recommend that a competent electrical professional perform the
installation of this product.
If the panel front is to be exposed to water it must be properly sealed to
the instrument panel surface. The included gasket must be in place and
the panel hold down screws tight.
The panels must not be installed in explosive environments such as
gasoline engine rooms or battery compartments as the switches are not
ignition protected.
The main positive connection must be disconnected at the battery post
to avoid the possibility of a short circuit during the installation of this
distribution panel.
Guarantee
Any Blue Sea Systems product with which a customer is not satised
may be returned for a refund or replacement at any time.
Useful Reference Books
• Calder, Nigel (2005). Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual
(3d ed). Camden, ME: International Marine / McGraw-Hill.
• Wing, Charlie (2006). Boatowner’s Illustrated Electrical Handbook
(2d ed). Camden, ME: International Marine / McGraw-Hill.
Other Innovative Products from Blue Sea Systems
• Custom 360 Panels
• Battery management solutions
• AC and DC circuit protection devices
• WeatherDeck™ Waterproof Panels
• Fuses, fuse blocks, and busbars
• Analog and digital meters