Description
Blue Sea C-Series ELCI Breaker 230V 16A | Boat Supply Store
Protecting your vessel's AC electrical system from dangerous ground faults, this Blue Sea Systems C-Series breaker provides essential Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter (ELCI) functionality. It integrates standard overcurrent protection with a 30mA leakage trip sensitivity, significantly mitigating shock hazards. Featuring a double-pole configuration and 16A rating, this 230V AC unit boasts a 5000A interrupt capacity, making it suitable for main feed applications on vessels utilizing shore power or generator systems.
Key Features
- Enhanced Safety with ELCI (Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter) protection
- Robust Protection against ground faults and overcurrents
- Double Pole Design for 230V AC single-phase circuits
- Reliable Operation via magnetic hydraulic trip-free mechanism
- High Interrupt Capacity of 5000A for fault current management
- Ignition Protected for use in hazardous marine environments
- Front Panel Mount for streamlined integration into electrical panels
- UL Listed and ABYC Compliant ensuring adherence to marine standards
Specifications
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Blue Sea Systems |
| Series | C-Series |
| Type | ELCI Main Circuit Breaker |
| Poles | Double Pole |
| Voltage | 230V AC |
| Amperage | 16A |
| Trip Mechanism | Magnetic Hydraulic |
| Trip Type | Trip-Free |
| Interrupt Capacity | 5000A |
| Leakage Trip | 30mA |
| Mounting | Front Panel Mount |
| Ignition Protected | Yes |
| MPN | 3091 |
Who This Is For
Ideal for marine electrical system designers, boat builders, and marine electricians specifying or installing advanced AC safety protection. Boat owners seeking to upgrade existing systems with superior ground fault detection will also find this breaker critical.
How It Compares
| Feature | Blue Sea C-Series ELCI Breaker 230V 16A | Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Amperage | 16A | 20A, 160A |
| Poles | 2 | 2, 3 |
| Voltage | 240V AC | 240V AC, 690V AC |
| ELCI Trip Amps | 30mA | 30mA, null |
| Interrupt Capacity | 5000A | 5000A, 50kA |
Common Concerns Answered
Are replacement parts readily available for this breaker?
While direct replacement parts for older specific models can sometimes be challenging to source, Blue Sea Systems generally maintains excellent support for their current product lines, ensuring long-term serviceability for this C-Series ELCI breaker.
I've experienced shipping delays with specialized marine electronics before. How reliable is shipping for this item?
BoatSupplyStore.com is committed to efficient order fulfillment. We understand the critical nature of marine electrical components and strive to minimize shipping times for specialized items like this Blue Sea Systems ELCI breaker.
Is the higher initial cost of an ELCI breaker justified over a standard breaker?
Absolutely. The added Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter (ELCI) functionality provides a critical layer of safety by detecting ground faults at 30mA, which standard breakers do not. This significantly reduces the risk of electrical shock, a paramount concern in marine environments, making the investment in safety invaluable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ELCI breaker and why is it important on a boat?
An ELCI (Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupter) breaker is a safety device designed to protect against electrical shock caused by ground faults. It detects small imbalances in current flow, such as those that occur when current leaks to ground through a person, and trips the circuit significantly faster than a standard breaker, which is vital for safety on a boat where water and metal components increase the risk of electrical hazards.
What is the difference between a single pole and a double pole breaker?
A single-pole breaker interrupts only one 'hot' wire of a circuit, typically used for 120V AC circuits. A double-pole breaker simultaneously interrupts both 'hot' wires of a 230V AC circuit, providing complete isolation for higher voltage systems. This ensures that both conductors carrying power are disconnected for maximum safety.
Can this breaker be used for shore power and generator power?
Yes, this 230V AC, 16A double-pole ELCI breaker is designed to protect the main AC feed from both shore power connections and onboard generators, provided the power source and load do not exceed its 16A rating and 230V AC voltage specifications.
What is the interrupt capacity of this breaker?
This Blue Sea Systems C-Series ELCI Main Circuit Breaker has an interrupt capacity of 5000A. This rating indicates the maximum fault current the breaker can safely interrupt without sustaining damage, ensuring protection during significant electrical short circuits.
What is the leakage trip amperage for this breaker?
The leakage trip amperage for this ELCI breaker is 30mA (milliamperes). This means it is designed to trip when it detects a ground fault leakage current of 30mA or greater, which is a standard sensitivity for effective personal protection against electrical shock.
