Stops galvanic corrosion caused by ship-to-shore power cables.
Whenever a boat is connected to shore power, the hull and drive systems are connected to the shore grounding system and to other adjacent vessels (also connected to shore power) via the grounding conductor in the shore power cable. This connection, while required for safety, creates a galvanic corrosion cell involving the dissimilar metals between boats and between a boat and the shore grounding system, as shown in the following diagram below:
Four Components are Needed for Corrosion:
1) Anode – a metal surface which gives up metal ions (corrodes).
2) Electrolyte – a medium which conducts ionic current between the anode and cathode.
3) Cathode – a metal surface that picks up metal ions.
4) Metallic Bond – a metallic path that allows current to flow from cathode to anode.
A simple method which virtually eliminates this galvanic corrosion problem is to insert an appropriately rated and certified DEI Galvanic Isolator in series with the grounding conductor of the ship-to-shore power cable. The function of the Galvanic Isolator is to provide AC continuity of the grounding conductor (required for safety in the event of an AC fault) and to block the flow of corrosion-causing galvanic current.
DEI Galvanic Isolators (GI) are fail-safe, solid-state DC isolation / AC coupling devices with ratings and characteristics that significantly exceed those of all known galvanic isolators designed for marine applications. The proven fail-safe construction assures that the galvanic isolator never compromises the integrity of the grounding conductor, even in the unlikely case of the product failing.
ABYC Certified
In the marine industry, the criteria for galvanic isolators is defined by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Standard A-28, which has a publication date of July 2008 and an effective date of July 2009. Due to recommendations to the A-28 galvanic isolator standards committee concerning the need to retain safety grounding under all conditions, as required by the U.S. National Electric Code for all similar applications outside of A-28, this standard now makes provision for fail-safe galvanic isolators.
To be considered “fail-safe,” an independent laboratory must confirm that the isolator will either remain fully functional or remain a permanent, effective grounding path if it fails when subject to the maximum current rating. Per the new A-28 standard, galvanic isolators meeting the fail-safe requirement will not require a monitoring system since the integrity of the grounding wire will not be compromised should the isolator fail. All galvanic isolators not meeting the fail-safe criteria will still require a monitoring system to alert the boat owner that their grounding system may be compromised.
Fail-Safe Plus & Fail-Safe Max Technologies
DEI offers a Fail-Safe Plus® (FSP) or Fail-Safe Max® (FSM) model for each rating except for the 100A and 200A models, for which only the Fail Safe Max model is offered. Fail-Safe Plus models not only meet the fail-safe test criteria in the new A-28, but also have considerably higher fault current ratings than are required and have very substantial lightning current ratings, which are not even required by A-28; hence, the “Plus” designation unique to DEI.
Fail-Safe Max models provide even higher AC fault ratings than Fail-Safe Plus models and will still be fully functional when tested to the A-28 fail-safe fault criteria, thereby providing the ultimate in performance; hence, the “Max” designation. The FSM models will fail in the safe mode, at a level in excess of the A-28 fail-safe definition – a point at which the grounding conductor would have previously failed.
DEI Marine Galvanic Isolator Features & Characteristics
- Fail-safe construction with Fail-Safe Plus™ and Fail-Safe Max™ technology
- Certified to ABYC A-28 July 2008 publication
- Highest AC fault current ratings available
- Ignition protected
- Maintenance-free solid-state design
- Rated for high levels of lightning current
- Very low DC leakage current allowed
Technical Papers
The DEI Marine 30A Galvanic Isolator is rated for all 30A through 35A shore power services and has been fully tested to meet the July 2008 publication of ABYC A28, the standard governing galvanic isolators in the US marine industry. The DEI 30A Galvanic Isolator comes in both Fail-Safe Plus® and Fail-Safe MAX® versions, giving the customer increased options for safety. For international use, the 30A device has been rated to 35A to cover applications using 32A shore power connections.
All DEI Galvanic Isolators (GI) are fail-safe, solid-state DC isolation/AC coupling devices with ratings and characteristics that significantly exceed those of all known galvanic isolators designed for marine applications. The proven fail-safe construction assures that the galvanic isolator never compromises the integrity of the grounding conductor, even in the unlikely case of the product failing.
- Rated for 30A through 35A use
- Fail-safe construction featuring Fail-Safe Plus™ and Fail-Safe Max™ technology.
- Certified to ABYC A-28 July 2008 publication
- CE Marked – Marine ISO 8846
- No monitoring system required
- Highest AC fault current ratings available
- Ignition protected
- Maintenance-free solid-state design
- Rated for high levels of lightning current
- Very low DC leakage current allowed
| Peak Voltage | ± 1.0V |
| AC Steady-State Current | 30 Amps RMS (certified for use up to 35A) |
Lightning Surge Current
Model GI-30A-FSP
Model GI-30A-FSM | 75 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Plus®
100 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
AC Fault Current Ratings
Model GI-30A-FSP
Model GI-30A-FSM | 3 kA RMS for 13 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Plus®
3 kA fRMS or 34 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
| Environmental Rating | Packaged in a molded, non-metallic enclosure rated IP68. |
| Independent Testing | Imanna Labs. Certified to July 2008 changes to ABYC A-28 Effective date 2009). Certified to fail-safe criteria. Ignition Protected. CE Marine – ISO 8846 |
The DEI Marine 50/60A Galvanic Isolator is appropriately rated for all 50A shore power services, as well as dual 30A shore power services. It has been fully tested to meet the latest revisions to ABYC A-28, the standard governing galvanic isolators in the US marine industry. The DEI 50/60A Galvanic Isolator comes in both Fail-Safe Plus® and Fail-Safe MAX® versions, giving the customer increased options for safety.
All DEI Galvanic Isolators (GI) are fail-safe, solid-state DC isolation/AC coupling devices with ratings and characteristics that significantly exceed those of all known galvanic isolators designed for marine applications. The proven fail-safe construction assures that the galvanic isolator never compromises the integrity of the grounding conductor, even in the unlikely case of the product failing.
- Rated to 50/60A (suitable for 50A and dual 30A shore power services)
- Fail-safe construction featuring Fail-Safe Plus™ and Fail-Safe Max™ technology.
- Certified to ABYC A-28 July 2008 publication
- CE Marine – ISO 8846
- No monitoring system required
- Highest AC fault current ratings available
- Ignition protected
- Maintenance-free solid-state design
- Rated for high levels of lightning current
- Very low DC leakage current allowed
| Peak Voltage | ± 1.0V |
| AC Steady-State Current | 50/60 Amps RMS (Suitable for dual 30A services) |
Lightning Surge Current
Model GI-50/60A-FSP
Model GI-50/60A-FSM | 100 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Plus®
100 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
AC Fault Current Ratings
Model GI-50/60A-FSP
Model GI-50/60A-FSM | 5 kA RMS for 10 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Plus®
5 kA RMS for 31 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
| Environmental Rating | Packaged in a molded, non-metallic enclosure rated IP68. |
| Independent Testing | Imanna Labs. Certified to July 2008 changes to ABYC A-28.
Certified to fail-safe criteria. Ignition Protected. CE Marine – ISO 8846 |
The DEI Marine 100A Galvanic Isolator is appropriately rated for all 100A shore power services. It has been fully tested to meet the July 2008 publication of ABYC A-28, the standard governing galvanic isolators in the US marine industry. The DEI 100A Galvanic Isolator comes in a Fail-Safe MAX® design, giving the customer premium performance and safety.
All DEI Galvanic Isolators (GI) are fail-safe, solid-state DC isolation/AC coupling devices with ratings and characteristics that significantly exceed those of all known galvanic isolators designed for marine applications. The proven fail-safe construction assures that the galvanic isolator never compromises the integrity of the grounding conductor, even in the unlikely case of the product failing.
- Rated to 100A
- Fail-safe construction featuring Fail-Safe Max® technology.
- Certified to ABYC A-28 July 2008 publication
- CE Marine-ISO 8846
- No monitoring system required
- Highest AC fault current ratings available
- Ignition protected
- Maintenance-free solid-state design
- Rated for high levels of lightning current
- Very low DC leakage current allowed
| Peak Voltage | ± 1.0V |
| AC Steady-State Current | 100 Amps RMS |
Lightning Surge Current
Model GI-100A-FSM | 100 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
AC Fault Current Ratings
Model GI-100A-FSM | 5 kA RMS for 198 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
| Environmental Rating | Packaged in a molded, non-metallic enclosure rated NEMA 4X. |
| Independent Testing | Imanna Labs. Certified to July 2008 changes to ABYC A-28.
Certified to fail-safe criteria. Ignition Protected. CE Marine – ISO 8846 |
The DEI Marine 200A Galvanic Isolator is appropriately rated for all 200A shore power services or dual 100A services. Although the ABYC A-28 standard only addresses isolator ratings up through 100A, the DEI 200A Isolator has been designed with similar construction to the DEI 100A Isolator, but with a 200A continuous current rating (plus overload). The DEI 200A Galvanic Isolator comes in a Fail-Safe MAX® design, giving the customer premium performance and safety.
All DEI Galvanic Isolators (GI) are fail-safe, solid-state DC isolation/AC coupling devices with ratings and characteristics that significantly exceed those of all known galvanic isolators designed for marine applications. The proven fail-safe construction assures that the galvanic isolator never compromises the integrity of the grounding conductor, even in the unlikely case of the product failing.
- Rated to 200 Amps
- Fail-safe construction featuring Fail-Safe Max™ technology.
- No monitoring system required
- Highest AC fault current ratings available
- Ignition protected
- Maintenance-free solid-state design
- Rated for high levels of lightning current
- Very low DC leakage current allowed
| Peak Voltage | ± 1.0V |
| AC Steady-State Current | 200 Amps RMS or dual 100 Amps RMS |
Lightning Surge Current
Model GI-200A-FSM | 100 kA Peak, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
AC Fault Current Ratings
Model GI-100A-FSM | 5 kA RMS for 198 cycles at 60 Hz, Product Class Fail-Safe Max® |
| Environmental Rating | Packaged in a molded, non-metallic enclosure rated NEMA 4X. |
| Independent Testing | Tested by Imanna Laboratories (Note: All DEI 200A devices are tested to the same standards specified by the 2008 publication of ABYC A-28; however ABYC’s standards do not officially apply to 200A devices). Certified to fail-safe criteria. Ignition Protected. |
