Smart Plug

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David M

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The smart plug (smartplug (dot) com) is a pretty interesting product. Has anyone had personal experience with it? Does anyone think it will replace the current round plug standard in the next say 5-10 years?

I am designing a starboard power input for Saint Max to accommodate electrical hook up to from a tower on either side of the boat. When I was looking for connectors, the smart plug happened to blip my radar.

Just curious.
 
It's a good idea for sure. We almost had a fire on our 1996 Carver due to the plug overheating and melting.
How long might it take for something new to get adopted? That's the question.
I suppose it partially will depend on how much the adapters cost. I don't care if the marina side changes but I'd like to have this new connector on my boat for sure.
 
Looks like about $90 for the adapter. A great idea from the looks of it. See, all things can be improved!
 
Appliance Recepticals in the US are essentially controlled by NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Assoc. ) Without the cooperation of NEMA or the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) it's doubtfull that the plug type will be accepted for widespread use. Particularly by the local authority having jurisdiction.

So the sucess of any alternative to the current NEMA standard plugs is going to depend on how effective the applicants lobbying efforts within the NEMA are IMHO.

The device does not indicate that it has been tested/Certified by a laboratory listed as a NRTL by OSHA. Which places it outside of compliance with the NEC for use on mains branch circuits.

http://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/index.html#nrtls
 
Boat John,

I do not understand. For shore power connections, a boat is considered an appliance? I did not know that.

This from their www.

In less than 14 months, SmartPlug took its base design from conception to patent to market. This initial product offering has met the performance requirements of all UL and UL Marine tests as certified by IMANNA Laboratory Inc. and was certified ABYC E-11 standards and US Coast Guard compliant. The basis for the fully adaptable and scalable SmartPlug design has resulted in several patents (insured) with new patents being filed as derivative products are developed. SmartPlug Systems has also filed the necessary paperwork to patent the SmartPlug designs in Europe and is in the beginning stages of researching EU representation.

Are you saying their efforts at UL and ABYC are in vain until OSHA gives them a thumbs up?

Understand I am not doubting you, however, I don't want to pitch good money after a bad thing.
 
I think the issue is getting confused as to what the plug looks like on either end of the cord. There is a lot of room for improvement at just the boats end of the cord. Will THAT side of the equation adopt a new standard. I doubt it. But that doesn't mean you should not consider getting one.

I also had a burnt up connector, two years in a row. I'm pretty anal about these things and had replaced the innards of the boat connection year 1 and upon the burnup year 2, I caught on quick and replaced the innards again AND the wiring back to the panel. I'm also replacing my inverter to gain the ability to control to the amp, how much I'm pulling from shorepower and any point in time regardless of the load being demanded. I might end up running a battery down, but I won't end up pulling more current over the shore power cable than what i will specify and I'll be willing to pull less amps when I'm gone than when I'm there.
 
Good questions

Appliance Receptical is a generic term used for the connector in question. Looks like UL is using the term Attachment Plug.

Short answer is Electrical Components used in 120V circuits need to be Listed/Certified by a Laboratory approved by OSHA as a NRTL. As part of compliance with the US National Electric Code.

You could argue that the NEC does not apply to boats. Which are governed by 33CFR. However as it does apply to Marina's and Recreational Vehicals. Failure to abide by it's principals will likely be an issue.
 
OK. I understand now. They do have a retrofit kit that would allow one to just do the boat end of the cord and leave the dockside end as is.

My issue is I have some extra Hubbell or Marinco (I forget which) power cords with no ends. I am going to cut those to length and place new ends on them. They will remain attached to the dock as home cords. I have cords to travel with. I'll wait and see how it pans out. I do like the idea that it shuts itself down at 200*F. That is a nice feature.
 
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