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Electrical Engineering

Marine Electrical Engineering

Whether you own a mega yacht or a sportfish, our electrical engineers provide you with the security of knowing there’s safe, reliable power at your fingertips. We collaborate with builders, project managers, and designers to develop power generation and distribution systems that can handle any load.

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Classification Society and Standards Documentation

Our marine electrical engineers offer a comprehensive range of services to ensure regulatory compliance. This includes providing drawing submittals, facilitating approvals, conducting engineering studies and analyses, and overseeing witness testing. We are well-versed in ensuring compliance with ABS, RINA, Lloyd’s Register, DNV, U.S. Coast Guard, and SOLAS regulations, as well as other relevant governmental and classification society rules.

Engineering Switchboard Design

Our expert marine electrical engineers design switchgear solutions for  many system configurations: single, split, and multi-bus AC systems. We  use three independent sources of 24VDC system control power.  Additionally, we build each of our switchboards on a manual framework.  By layering automatic features on top of this foundation, we ensure that  an automation fault never disrupts your power supply. We create the  cleanest main bus power in the industry by using redundant security  modes, harmonic filters, and arc fault protection systems on all  switchgear at or above 240VAC.Our marine electrical engineers design switchgear solutions for new construction and refit. Each switchboard is designed on a manual framework with added layers of automation, ensuring safe and redundant operations at sea.

Frequently Asked

Questions? Explore our Electrical Engineering Frequently Asked Questions.

What does a marine electrical engineer do?

Marine electrical engineers are responsible for the research, design and implementation of complex electrical systems on large boats, yachts, ships and navy vessels. They utilize programs such as Auto-CAD to draft blueprints for marine switchboards, distribution panels, generators and power management systems. The engineers primary goal is to ensure that proper voltage and amperage is being supplied throughout the vessel to safely and reliably power all of the various electronics that are onboard these large vessels, as well as to ensure that vital electrical components like communication devices and lights ares still operable in the event of a power outage onboard.

Who needs a marine electrical engineer?

Anybody who owns or operates a large vessel such as a yacht or ship may be in need of a marine electrical engineer. Boat owners with older vessels may hire a marine electrical engineer if they are looking to add electronics onboard which may not be supported by their current electrical system. Boat builders may also hire a marine electrical engineer to help design a reliable electrical system for the vessels that they are building, especially if those boats feature many electrical components. Manufacturers of marine electrical equipment for boats may also hire marine electrical engineers to ensure that their products can be installed and operate reliably on different types of vessels.

What's the difference between a marine electrical engineer and an electrical engineer?

Standards and best practices for marine electrical engineers differ from those for electrical engineers because electrical systems on boats are subject to a much harsher environment compared to residential buildings. Between the constant movement and vibration of the boat to the exposure to saltwater corrosion, marine electrical systems are much more prone to failure and decline. As a result, marine electrical engineers should be certified with the ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council) so they can design electrical systems to withstand these harsh conditions, as opposed to electrical engineers who are not required to be certified by this body.

Related Products

Browse Wards' 15,000+ item inventory of marine electrical supply.

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Celebrating 75 Years

Wards Marine Electric boasts a 75-year legacy as a prominent marine electrical company. Our primary areas of expertise include providing remote and local dockside service, manufacturing panelboards and switchgear, engineering electrical systems, and supplying marine electrical parts. We serve as a comprehensive solution for all electrical requirements.

Our commitment to upholding industry leadership is paralleled only by our dedication to delivering personalized assistance, emblematic of our family-owned enterprise. Our unmatched professionalism and integrity are benchmarks in the industry, setting the standard for safety, expertise, reliability, and efficiency – it's the Wards Way.
Two individuals stand beside a vintage truck with "Ward's Marine Electric Service" written on the door. Palm trees are visible in the background.

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