PHOTO: SPYRAKOT - STOCK.ADOBE.COMIt’s easy to understand why portable generators have become popular with boaters: They’re affordable, convenient and easy to use. They’re widely available as a relatively low-cost option for generating electricity. They can power appliances, charge batteries and operate tools, making them appealing as additional or backup power sources.
Portable generators may also appear to be an attractive solution for providing electrical power during outings, especially for extended trips where on-board systems may not meet all power demands, but there can be significant safety hazards if the equipment fails to comply with American Boat & Yacht Council standards.
Here’s a look at why portable generators may be not suitable for marine environments, with challenges and risks that portable units were never designed to handle.
Safety Hazards
The use of portable generators on board presents multiple safety hazards for the boat and its occupants. The first is carbon-monoxide poisoning. This colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas is formed as a product of the incomplete combustion of carbon or a carbon compound. Portable generators emit significant amounts of carbon monoxide, which can accumulate in confined or semienclosed spaces, such as cabins, cockpits or under-deck areas. Even with adequate ventilation, wind patterns can shift exhaust fumes back into the boat, increasing the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Many tragic incidents involving portable generators on boats stem from carbon-monoxide exposure. Symptoms of poisoning include headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea. Prolonged exposure can lead to unconsciousness and, eventually, death. Carbon-monoxide toxicity is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action. (Gasoline combustion engines emit significantly more carbon monoxide than diesels.)
Fire hazards are also problematic. Portable generators operate using gasoline or other flammable fuels. Spilled fuel, improper storage or leaks in the fuel line can result in fires or explosions. In addition, portable generators may lack ignition-protected components or be placed near non-ignition-protected equipment, increasing the risk of sparks igniting flammable vapors.
Electric shock is another concern. Marine environments are damp, and the combination of electricity and water increases the risk of shock. For use on board, portable generators may lack proper grounding or water ingress protection. Water intrusion can lead to short circuits or corrosion of electrical components. This is why receptacles installed in areas exposed to rain, spray or splashing must be weatherproof.
Additionally, an AC grounded neutral is required. The neutral must be grounded at the power source, and all AC grounded non-current-carrying components should be grounded and kept at the same potential to prevent shock hazards. Portable generators may lack proper grounding, increasing the danger of electric shock.
Non-Compliance With
ABYC Standards
The ABYC sets safety standards for the design, construction and maintenance of boats and their systems that are recognized and adhered to by components manufacturers, installers, surveyors and boatbuilders to ensure the safety of vessels and their occupants.
While gasoline engines and generators are common on boats, it is essential to ensure that these devices comply with ABYC standards. Key areas include ignition protection, AC grounding, water ingress protection, ventilation for gasoline vapors, exhaust system installation and fuel system installation.
Portable generators frequently fall short of meeting ABYC safety standards in critical areas. These include ignition protection. ABYC standards require electrical components to be ignition-protected when they are potential sources of ignition by generating a spark or heat, and are installed in spaces where flammable gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas vapors may accumulate. Most portable generators are not designed to meet these requirements, making them a significant fire and explosion risk.
Another area where portable generators can fall short of ABYC standards is overcurrent protection and ground-fault protection. Boat electrical systems, including conductors, must be protected by trip-free circuit breakers that meet rigorous testing requirements specified in the standards. Also, for receptacles installed in damp areas such as a weather deck, the receptacle must be protected by a Type A (nominal 5 milliamperes) ground fault circuit interrupter. Many portable generators may not meet these requirements.
AC grounding is another area of concern. ABYC standards require proper grounding of electrical systems to prevent electric shock hazards and to provide a safe path for potential fault current back to the source. Portable generators often lack the appropriate grounding systems needed for marine applications. Improper grounding, if combined with ground faults, can increase the risk of shock, especially when various normally non-current-carrying components of electrical systems are at different potentials.
Exhaust systems are yet another area of challenges. ABYC standards specify how exhaust systems should be designed and routed to expel combustion gases safely. Portable generators may not comply with these requirements for exhaust systems, and their exhaust outlets are often poorly positioned, increasing the likelihood of carbon monoxide buildup.
When it comes to fuel systems, ABYC standards address the design, construction and stowage of portable and semiportable tanks less than 25 gallons, and related fuel lines and accessories comprising a portable marine gasoline fuel system for boats.
In addition, there’s weather resistance and water ingress protection concerns. Equipment used on boats must be able to withstand exposure to the marine environment. Portable generators are typically not designed for use on boats, making them prone to corrosion and failure. Receptacles installed on portable generators and exposed to weather in locations subject to rain, spray or splash may lack weatherproofing as required by ABYC standards, as well.
Safer Alternatives
Boaters seeking additional power options should consider safer and ABYC-compliant alternatives. These include permanently installed marine generators, which are designed for use on boats and meet ABYC safety standards. They have ignition-protected components, proper grounding systems and exhaust routing to minimize risks. All generators must be permanently installed according to ABYC A-27, Alternating Current (AC) Generator Sets.
Expanding the boat’s battery capacity and incorporating an inverter can also supply ample power for various appliances, eliminating the need for a generator in many cases. To recharge batteries sustainably, excellent options can include solar panels, fuel cells or wind generators.
An increasingly popular concept is generator replacement, which uses a high-output alternator to recharge a large battery bank. This setup allows the inverter to handle significant AC loads, reducing engine run time and eliminating the need to run a generator overnight to power devices such as air conditioners.
Overall, while portable generators may seem like a convenient solution for providing electricity on board, their use may introduce serious safety hazards because of failure to comply with ABYC standards. To ensure safety, use ABYC-compliant power sources designed specifically for boats.
Maciej Rynkiewicz is standards developer for the American Boat & Yacht Council.
