---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 169.678"
title: "46"
number: "169.678"
heading: "Main distribution panels and switchboards."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/169.678"
---

# §169.678. Main distribution panels and switchboards.

- (a) A distribution panel to which the generator leads are connected, and from which the electric leads throughout the vessel directly or indirectly receive their electric power is a switchboard.
- (b) Each switchboard must have a driphood or an equivalent means of protecting against falling liquid.
- (c) Nonconductive deck materials, mats, or gratings must be provided in front of each switchboard.
- (d) If the switchboard is accessible from the rear, nonconductive deck material, mats, or gratings must be provided in the rear of the switchboard.
- (e) Metal cases of instruments and secondary windings of instrument transformers must be grounded.
- (f) Each switchboard must be placed in a location that is accessible, adequately ventilated, and as dry as practicable. All uninsulated current carrying parts must be mounted on nonabsorbent, noncombustible, high dielectric insulating material.
- (g) Each switchboard must be of the dead front type.
- (h) Each switchboard must have front and, if accessible from the back, rear non-conducting hand rails except on vessels where the surrounding bulkheads and decks are of an insulating material such as fiberglass or wood.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Source

Source: CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.