The ocean is a harsh and unforgiving place, not only for the people who venture there but for the equipment and vehicles they bring along. The marine environment presents a unique set of engineering challenges that require robust systems capable of withstanding exposure to salt water and corrosive environments. The reliably of the harness is becoming increasingly important due to it being the backbone of the control system.
A custom marine wire harness can be designed and manufactured for just about any function on the water. There are two main wire harnesses used in the design. The first harness is the hull harness which is installed into the hull of the vessel before the deck of the vessel is permanently installed onto the hull. The reliably of the hull harness is very important due to the difficulty of access to the harness.
Design Considerations for Marine Wire Harnesses
Any marine engineering project comes with its own specific set of electrical and budgetary requirements. The final design should balance both.
Materials
In the marine environment, durability is your best countermeasure against disaster. Electrical systems must be carefully designed down to the smallest component to withstand extended exposure to corrosion, moisture, and vibration. This is particularly important for primary power circuits as a critical failure could be life-threatening. To that end, wire harnesses intended for ocean-going vessels and equipment may require marine-grade tinned wire paired with sheathing materials that are resistant to moisture and corrosion.
Configuration
Organization is another critical factor to consider when designing marine wire harnesses. Each harness should be configured with the shortest runs possible to motors and other circuits associated with critical navigation, illumination, and bilge functions in order to minimize voltage drop. In addition, wires should be color-coded in line with American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards and further group those wires according to their function and how often they’ll need to be accessed.
Connectors
A marine wire harness should ensure that connectors are kept away from sensitive instruments like compasses. Best practices dictate that any connectors exposed to the environment be sealed. However, a more complex marine wire harness may be configured in such a way that certain connections are not exposed. In this case, it may be possible to reduce costs without compromising system integrity or commonality of parts by using the unsealed version of the same connector family.
Other Components
The rigors of the ocean environment will factor into every design choice when it comes to developing a wire harness for marine use, but that doesn’t mean you should throw out the entire land-based playbook. Some of the same design principles apply. You’ll still want to ensure your assembly includes sufficient fasteners to protect the wires from damage and wear, as well as insulators and clamps or clips to help secure the connection. Depending on the project and its application, it may be necessary to include more complex components in the harness such as switches, relays, and sensors.
The Benefits of Marine Wire Harnesses
Designing and manufacturing wire harnesses for marine applications requires a commitment of both time and capital, but it’s an investment with solid returns. Besides protecting delicate components from the elements and conducting electrical power so that it performs its intended function, a well-made wire harness secures and minimizes the footprint of circuits. Wires that are grouped into a wire harness assembly are far less likely to get tangled, pinched, or dislodged from their connectors. This optimizes functionality and use of space, both major concerns in the marine environment.
Another critical concern is fire safety. A wire harness allows multiple connections to be made at once, eliminating the need for additional wiring usage. This reduces cable clutter while also improving safety by reducing potential fire hazards caused by loose connections or poorly installed cables. In addition, many types of junction boxes used in standard residential wiring systems cannot withstand the high temperatures found on most boats and ocean-going vessels. Marine wire harnesses are designed specifically for these environments and have built-in insulation that prevents overheating and short circuits from occurring.
On the maintenance side, marine wire harnesses can help minimize the time, labor, and cost associated with repairs. An organized wire harness assembly allows technicians to isolate and address problems with individual systems. Damaged and/or malfunctioning components can then be repaired or replaced and simply reconnected. That means less down time for mission-critical machines, vehicles, and other equipment, as well as cost savings to bolster your bottom line.
In addition, wire harnesses can be tailored to meet the specs and safety requirements of projects that involve unique electronic processes. As previously mentioned, the ocean is a singularly challenging environment from the physical perspective, but successful operation within the marine environment also requires a level of finesse. Navigation in particular requires sensitive instrumentation, some of which utilize electrical power. Ensuring the system delivers the correct amount of current without damaging the more delicate components may require an unconventional use of materials, seals, connectors, or splicing. Luckily, with the right technology and support, a marine wire harness can be manufactured in just about any configuration.
Custom Marine Wire Harness Solutions
The increasing popularity of electric boat motors over traditional diesel means growing complexity of marine wire harnesses and other electronic components such as Bluetooth connected devices. At Kauffman Engineering, we’re ready to help you tackle this challenge with cutting-edge materials, deep industry expertise, and local, USA based assembly. As one of the largest and most advanced manufacturers of wire harness and cable assemblies in the United States, we offer professional support and integrated engineering solutions for custom, commercial scale marine wire harness projects, from design and testing through to production. Our customers can count on short lead-times, flexible scheduling, high quality and on-time delivery.
Have a project in mind? Contact us today to get started.