3.3 Electrical Equipment Ground Connections

Seakeeper to Vessel Ground Connection Instructions

1. Connect the Seakeeper foundation ground to vessel ground as shown in Figure 7.
2. Install Ground Cable (4 AWG or 22.0 mm², Customer supplied) from the M6 brass ground stud on the Seakeeper rear brace to a suitable vessel ground.
   
   • EN/IEC 90204-1 Clauses 6.3.3 and 8.2.3
   • ABYC E-11 July 2018 Clauses 11.5.2 and 11.16.1.

NOTE: USE ONLY THIS LOCATION FOR GROUNDING THE SEAKEEPER TO THE VESSEL GROUND.

3. Ground connection should be made with vessel bonding system, if available. However, the ground is not referring specifically to a bonding system but for outboard boats generally refers to the outboard engine negative terminal. Per ABYC E-11 (2018), Clause 11.5.2.7.4: If the negative side of the DC system is to be connected to the ground, the connection shall be made only from the engine negative terminal, or its bus, to the DC grounding bus. This connection shall be used only as a means of maintaining the negative side of the circuit at ground potential and is not to carry current under normal operating conditions.
4. A proper ground connection is critically important for corrosion protection and helps to ensure the ignition protection of the unit by ensuring it does not carry any stray current.