In this course, you will learn about the switchboard and how it, in most cases, is constructed. We will look at different types, and you will learn how they work. You will get to know the idea behind the many wires and why they are needed, and you will gain knowledge about wire dimensioning and how they are connected correctly.

One of the most critical units in the electric supply system for the boat is the switch panel or switchboard. The switch panel is where most electric and electronic units are switched on or off, most fuses are found, and most cables are connected.

The safest place to connect new electronic equipment is either directly in the switch panel or to one of the existing cables from the panel. In many relatively new boats, wires and cables have been installed by the manufacturer or yard. However, even if the installation is brand new, there are still many wires and cables behind the front panel, and often you will find a PC board where the wires are connected.

After the course, you can safely connect plotters, radar, and instruments. You will also learn about relay control and how you can control more powerful equipment like autopilots.

You will learn to select a suitable cable for that specific piece of equipment and know which factors you need to consider before choosing the correct wire.

Topics in this Course

Shareable Certificate

Certificate of Completion

• Earn a Seably certificate of completion
• Download or print out as PDF to share with others
• Share online to demonstrate your new skill

Course Author

My Boat Electronics

My Boat Electronics is run by Lars Doktor Kristensen in collaboration with his family. We have emerged as an extension to many years of electronics servicing on many hundreds of different boats and boat types. Moreover, Lars has held numerous of local lectures on that same topic via the company Prokyon. Now is the desire to reach out to boaters with more knowledge about how care should be taken when changing the power system. One mistake can have major consequences and endanger boat owners themselves and other people on board, which not many realize. Myboatelectronics.com will primarily be a platform for online education in electricity and electronics on board the boats.

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