---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 143.575"
title: "46"
number: "143.575"
heading: "Electrical conductors, connections, and equipment."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/143.575"
---

# §143.575. Electrical conductors, connections, and equipment.

- (a) Each cable and wire on a towing vessel must be installed to meet the following requirements:
  - (1) Each conductor must have sufficient current-carrying capacity for the circuit in which it is used.
  - (2) Cable hangers for overhead and vertical cable runs must be installed with metal supports and retention devices at least every 48 inches.
  - (3) Each wire and cable run must be installed in a manner to prevent contact with personnel, mechanical hazards, and leaking fluids. Wire and cable runs must not be installed in bilges, across a normal walking path, or less than 24 inches from the path of movable machinery (e.g., cranes, elevators, forktrucks, etc., where the machinery location can change) unless adequately protected.
  - (4) Connections and terminations must be suitable for the installed conductors, and must retain the original electrical, mechanical, flame-retarding, and where necessary, fire-resisting properties of the conductor. If twist-on types of connectors are used, the connections must be made within an enclosure and the insulated cap of the connector must be secured to prevent loosening due to vibration. Twist-on type of connectors may not be used for making joints in cables, facilitating a conductor splice, or extending the length of a circuit.
  - (5) Each cable and wire must be installed so as to avoid or reduce interference with radio reception and compass indication.
  - (6) Each cable and wire must be protected from the weather.
  - (7) Each cable and wire must be supported in order to avoid chafing or other damage.
  - (8) Each cable and wire must be protected by metal coverings or other suitable means, if in areas subject to mechanical abuse.
  - (9) Each cable and wire must be suitable for low temperature and high humidity, if installed in refrigerated compartments.
  - (10) Each cable and wire must be located outside a tank, unless it supplies power to equipment in the tank.
  - (11) If wire is installed in a tank, it must have sheathing or wire insulation compatible with the fluid in a tank.
- (b) Extension cords must not be used as a permanent connection to a source of electrical power.
- (c) Multi-outlet adapters (power strips) may not be connected to other adapters (“daisy-chained”), or otherwise used in a manner that could overload the capacity of a receptacle.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation No. 0170.1.

### Source

Source: USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted.