1. Overloading the System
Running too many devices can overheat cords. Know your load limits.

2. Using Damaged Cords
Never tape or patch a damaged cord.

3. Ignoring Polarity
Always test before plugging in.

4. Failing to Install Isolation
Avoid corrosion and stray currents.

5. Skipping Maintenance
Regular inspections are essential.

Stay safe:
Choose ANG solutions engineered for reliability.

Before you leave the dock, a quick inspection prevents surprises at sea.

Checklist

• Shore Cord: Check for cuts, abrasions, corrosion.
• Connectors: Inspect pins for pitting.
• Polarity Test: Use a tester to verify correct wiring.
• Breakers: Confirm they reset properly.
• Load Test: Run major systems one at a time.

Tip:
Log inspection dates for reference.

ANG Products
Our converters and transformers include displays for easy monitoring.

Shore power systems can be confusing. Should you install a converter, an isolation transformer, or a galvanic isolator?

Shore Power Converter

• Converts voltage, frequency, and phase
• Provides electrical isolation
• Best for traveling internationally

Isolation Transformer

• Provides galvanic isolation
• Does not convert voltage or frequency
• Ideal if you stay in one region

Galvanic Isolator

• Blocks low-voltage DC currents causing corrosion
• Less comprehensive than isolation transformers
• Inexpensive solution for short-term use

Which Is Right for You?

• Global cruising: ANG Shore Power Converter
• Domestic marinas: Isolation Transformer
• Occasional shore power: Galvanic Isolator

Why ANG?
ANG converters combine:

• Universal conversion
• Full isolation
• Advanced protection

Consult with ANG to customize your setup.

Your shore power cord is your yacht’s lifeline to reliable electricity. Improper storage or neglect can cause dangerous failures.

Inspection Checklist

• Check connectors for corrosion or burns
• Look for cuts or abrasions along the cable
• Test continuity with a multimeter
• Verify secure strain relief at the plug ends

Proper Storage

• Always coil your cord loosely—tight coils can damage insulation.
• Store in a dry, ventilated compartment.
• Use cord bags or reels to prevent kinks.

Cleaning Tips

• Rinse with fresh water to remove salt.
• Dry thoroughly before storage.
• Apply dielectric grease to terminals for corrosion prevention.

Load Awareness
Never exceed the rated capacity. Even heavy-duty cords can overheat if overloaded.

ANG Marine Cords
ANG marine shore cords are built with:

• Heavy-gauge copper conductors
• Double-insulated jackets
• UL and CE certification
• IP67 waterproof connectors

Tip:
Replace cords showing signs of wear—your safety depends on them.

Many marinas don’t have a dedicated 100A receptacle, requiring you to combine two 50A outlets to power your yacht. This is where a Smart-Y Adapter becomes indispensable.

What is a Smart-Y Adapter?
A Smart-Y Adapter combines two separate 50A 120/240V shore power receptacles into a single 100A supply. Unlike a simple Y-splitter, a Smart-Y includes automatic paralleling control that checks phase alignment.

Why Phase Checking Matters
If the two outlets are on different phases or wired incorrectly, connecting them without protection can:

• Damage sensitive equipment
• Cause dangerous voltage imbalances
• Trip breakers or create fire hazards

Steps for Safe Use

1. Inspect Both Outlets:
   Use a polarity tester to confirm proper wiring.
2. Connect One Cord at a Time:
   Plug in each 50A cord carefully.
3. Verify the Indicator:
   ANG Smart-Y Adapters have status indicators to confirm correct phase alignment.
4. Secure the Cords:
   Keep connections dry and strain-relieved.
5. Monitor Load:
   Avoid running high-startup equipment all at once.

ANG Advantage
ANG Smart-Y Adapters feature:

• IP56-rated enclosures
• Automatic phase detection and correction
• Robust marine-grade connectors
• Compact design for easy stowage

Tip:
Never use a basic splitter without verification—it’s not worth the risk.

Many yacht owners are familiar with the problem of corrosion, but few realize that electrical grounding plays a big role. One of the most effective tools to prevent galvanic corrosion is an isolation transformer.

What is Galvanic Corrosion?
Galvanic corrosion happens when two dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte (saltwater) and electrically connected. This creates a current that slowly dissolves the less noble metal—damaging props, shafts, and thru-hulls.

How Shore Power Worsens Corrosion
When your boat is plugged into shore power, your AC ground wire is bonded to the marina’s grounding system. If neighboring boats or dock wiring have different electrical potentials, your boat can become the unintended path for stray currents.

How Isolation Transformers Help
An isolation transformer:

• Breaks the electrical connection between shore ground and the vessel
• Eliminates the path for galvanic currents to flow from shore
• Provides a safer power connection by preventing stray AC currents
• Reduces nuisance GFCI tripping

ANG Iso-Boost Transformers
ANG ISO-BOOST™ transformers combine galvanic isolation with automatic voltage boosting, protecting both your equipment and your hull. They are lighter and more efficient than traditional laminated transformers and include features like soft start and overload protection.

Additional Benefits

• Reduces corrosion-related maintenance
• Extends the life of underwater metals
• Enhances safety for swimmers near your boat

Recommendation
If your boat stays plugged in at the dock for long periods or you notice zincs deteriorating quickly, installing an isolation transformer is essential.

Voltage drop is a common issue in marine shore power systems, especially when using long shore cords or when marinas have aging infrastructure. Understanding how voltage drop works helps you avoid equipment problems and maintain safe electrical operation.

What is Voltage Drop?
Voltage drop occurs when the electrical potential decreases along the length of a conductor. As current travels through the shore cord, resistance causes a reduction in voltage at the point of use.

Why It Matters
Too much voltage drop can cause:

• Equipment malfunction or failure
• Dimming lights
• Overheating of electrical components
• Tripping of breakers

Marine standards like ABYC E-11 recommend limiting voltage drop to 3% for critical circuits and 10% maximumfor non-critical loads.

Factors That Influence Voltage Drop

• Length of the shore cord: Longer cords create more resistance.
• Cable size (AWG): Smaller wires have higher resistance.
• Current draw: Higher loads increase voltage drop.
• Connection quality: Corroded or loose plugs create additional resistance.

Example:
A 100-foot 2 AWG shore cord carrying 80 amps at 240V can have up to 6–8% voltage drop, depending on the load and connector condition.

How to Minimize Voltage Drop

• Use the shortest practical shore cord.
• Choose larger cable sizes (2 AWG or larger for high loads).
• Keep all plugs and receptacles clean and corrosion-free.
• Avoid coiling cables tightly, which can increase heat.

ANG Solutions
ANG marine power cords are built with heavy-duty copper conductors and low-resistance terminations to reduce voltage drop. Combined with ANG Shore Power Converters™, you can count on stable output voltage, even if shore power fluctuates.

Tip:
Always check voltage under load with a multimeter at the inlet to confirm performance.

Choosing the right shore power converter is critical for safe, efficient power onboard. One of the most common questions yacht owners ask is: “What size converter do I need?”

Why Sizing Matters
A converter that’s too small will overload, trip breakers, or fail under load. One that’s too large can be unnecessarily expensive and take up valuable space. Correct sizing ensures stable power to your equipment, avoids costly downtime, and extends the life of your electrical systems.

Understand Your Power Needs
The first step is to calculate your vessel’s total load. Make a list of all the electrical equipment you might use simultaneously—air conditioning, refrigeration, battery chargers, lighting, galley appliances, and entertainment systems.

For each device, note the wattage or amperage. You can usually find this on the equipment label or in the manual.

Example Load Calculation:

• Air conditioning: 4,000W
• Battery charger: 1,500W
• Refrigerator: 500W
• Lighting and outlets: 1,000W
• Water heater: 1,500W

Total: 8,500W

Convert watts to kilovolt-amperes (kVA):
kVA = Watts / (Voltage × Power Factor)

Assuming a power factor of 0.8 and 230V:
kVA = 8,500 / (230 × 0.8) ≈ 46 kVA

Consider Startup Loads
Some equipment draws significantly more current during startup. Air conditioners, compressors, and pumps often require 2–3 times their running load for a few seconds. Your converter must handle this surge without tripping.

Allow for Future Expansion
It’s wise to add a safety margin of 20–25% to accommodate additional loads or unexpected usage.

Choose the Right ANG Converter
ANG Shore Power Converters™ are available in configurations up to 350 kVA, with fully automatic operation and universal input compatibility. Whether you need a compact 15 kVA unit for a motor yacht or a large-capacity converter for a superyacht, our technical team can help size the perfect solution.

Need Assistance?
Contact ANG today. Our experts will guide you through the sizing process to ensure your yacht always has the power it needs.

If your shore power isn’t working, here’s a step-by-step checklist:

1. Inspect the shore cord
   • Look for visible damage, corrosion, or burns.
2. Test the pedestal outlet
   • Use a polarity and voltage tester to verify correct wiring.
3. Check onboard breakers and fuses
   • Reset breakers and confirm fuses haven’t blown.
4. Verify ground connections
   • Improper bonding can cause faults.
5. Use an isolation transformer or converter
   • Prevents stray currents and protects equipment.
6. Monitor the load
   • Avoid overloading your system, especially when using air conditioning and battery chargers.

When in doubt, call a qualified marine electrician.

Pro Tip:
With an ANG Shore Power Converter installed, your system gains automatic voltage stabilization, isolation protection, and clear status displays—simplifying troubleshooting and reducing downtime.

✅ Need help choosing the right equipment?
Contact ANG today for expert advice and reliable solutions for every shore power challenge.

Boaters often encounter incompatible shore power configurations—wrong voltage, different plug types, or mismatched phase.

Examples:

• A 100A four-pin single-phase plug, but the dock only has a five-pin three-phase socket.
• A 480V three-phase outlet where your system requires 208V.
• European 125A connectors vs. US 100A connectors.

How do you connect safely?
✅ Pigtail adapters and splitters bridge these differences.
✅ Shore power converters handle voltage and frequency conversion.
✅ Smart-Y adapters combine multiple 50A receptacles into one 100A supply.

Why choose ANG?
ANG offers the broadest range of pigtail adapters, splitters, and universal shore power converters on the market, all engineered to meet stringent marine standards.

Tip: Never force a connection or use homemade adapters—safety and compliance come first.