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Can I use an earth block as a bus bar?


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mascip 
Member - Posts: 14
Member spacespace
Joined: April 29, 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: April 30, 2015 at 10:41 AM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote mascip
Hi, I'm working on my boat's 12v electrics.
I bought this Bus bar recently for £11.50, and then came accross this Earth block for £1.50, which in theory seems to do the exact same thing, but it's smaller so it would fit better in my small electrical board in the cookpit.
Also, because I have 3 rooms on the boat (tiny bed room, cookpit, and small living room + kitchen), I need to buy 6 of these: a positive and a negative for each room. 6 times £11.50 is much more expensive than 6 times £1.50.
My question is simple: can I use this Earth block instead of the Bus bar, or is there any danger in doing so? The bus bas says it can take 100 Amp, while the earth block does not specify how much it can take. I know I will never use more than 30 Amps: fuses will ensure that. Also, I guess I would have to screw the earth block onto a piece of plastic; to insulate it.
Any thoughts?
howie ll 
Pot Metal - Posts: 16,466
Pot Metal spacespace
Joined: January 09, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: May 01, 2015 at 10:15 AM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote howie ll
Yes and yes to plastic or wood.
i am an idiot 
Platinum - Posts: 13,666
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: May 02, 2015 at 8:47 PM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote i am an idiot
You can use it as long as it is unearthed. Hence the plastic or wood mentioned earlier.
mascip 
Member - Posts: 14
Member spacespace
Joined: April 29, 2015
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: May 04, 2015 at 6:35 AM / IP Logged Link to Post Post Reply Quote mascip
Thank you!
Someone told me that he thinks the earth block can take 60Amps-ish. As long as it's over 30A, that's great =) It means I can use it for domestic use (lights, charging laptop), etc. I will put a 30A fuse before that.
Wood as an insulator; great, thanks!

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