Ocean going vessels require a special type of battery wiring that can withstand corrosion and rusting. A 12 AWG marine primary wire features tinned copper stranding that is great for use in oceans and seas. The wire is flexible and is highly resistant to corrosion and rusting.
Here we will take a detailed look at what makes the 12 AWG marine wire the best choice for use in boat wiring.
Technical Specifications
The 12 AWG marine primary wire has a flexible and tinned copper stranding. The marine wire is listed as UL 1426 Boat Cable. It also fully conforms to the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) and USCG ( US Coast Guard) specifications for marine battery wire.
The 12 AWG marine primary wire has a 45 amps ratings outside of engine spaces. The rating of the 12 AWG marine primary wire inside the engine space is 38 amps. The finely stranded copper conductor used in the 12 AWG marine battery wire is considered Type III. It can withstand a temperature range of -20oC to 105oC (-4o F to 221oF). The marine wire has a voltage rating of 600 V and exceeds SAE wiring requirements.
AWG (American Wire Gauge) wires are about 12% larger than SAE wiring. The wires offer greater current capacity as compared to SAE wires. This makes it ideal for high power rated devices in a marine environment.
Wire Resistance Properties
The 12 AWG marine primary wire offers enhanced protection that makes it safe for use in boats. The wire is resistant to damages that occur in high moisture areas. More specifically the wire is resistant to corrosion, rusting, acids, abrasion, alkalis, fungus, and moisture.
Final Word of Advice
Some appliances that are used in boats such as lights run with unstable power supply. But most of the equipment and devices that use power are sensitive to such power losses. The equipment cannot run properly with 3% drop in power.
Using a 12 AWG primary wire will ensure consistent power supply without significant loss of power. These wires are ideal for use in boats. They can easily withstand corrosion, rusting, and other harsh realities of the marine environment. The performance penalty is negligible when using a 12 AWG primary marine wire. Consistent power will not only protect the battery but also ensure protection of the cable itself.
In case you have anything to add regarding the 12 AWG marine primary wire or have any questions to ask, you can leave a comment in the box below.
