Is Marine Battery Wire Silver?

[Greg Anixter]

If you’ve ever done any wiring on a boat, whether you’re in the electrical trade or just a casual boater, this is a legitimate question. After all, stripping marine battery wire will expose some silvery filaments that do, after all, look silver.

So are they? Let’s look at what qualifies marine battery wire and the reasons it is designed and manufactured according to those qualifications.

So What Is It Made of?
First things first, marine battery cable is actually not silver, although it looks like it.

Ironically, silver is an excellent electrical conductor, among the best known. However, silver, like copper (which is used for most electrical conductors, including marine cable as you are about to see) suffers from a common deficiency.

Both are prone to oxidation - that is, both silver and copper corrode. As you might know, these effects are broadly exacerbated in humid and saltwater environments - both of which ships and boats are prone to encounter.

To answer the question initially posited by this article, marine battery wire actually is made of copper conductors - it just has a special protective coating that helps to insulate it from the ravages of saltwater-induced oxidation.

Marine battery cables and wires are made from many fine strands of copper conductors that are then individually coated, typically in tin. These tin-coated strands can much better resist environmental influences that would cause corrosion and degradation.

This tin coating is readily apparent whenever you strip the wire - such as to make connections to the terminals of a battery. They do also give marine wire the appearance of being made of silver - but make no mistake about it, they are not.

What Should Marine Battery Wire Be Able to Withstand?
While the threat of corrosion is one of the most noxious influences faced in most marine environments, it is not the only factor against which marine-grade cables should be able to stand.

Consequentially, many tinned copper marine grade wires are also made with special insulation that makes them uniquely able to withstand acid, abrasion, gasoline, oil, and of course, moisture.

In addition, marine battery cables are made with a high number of strands which keep them extra flexible. This is a bonus given the tight confines of the inner workings of most vessels, as cables with superior flexibility are easier to manipulate into location and can better navigate the tight recesses within boats. Additionally, highly flexible cables withstand fatigue better.

Where Can You Get Marine Grade Copper Battery Cables?
Looking for high-quality marine-grade battery wire and cable? Visit EWCS Wire online at EWCSWire.com.

They carry a wide range of marine battery wire that is United States Coast Guard, American Boat and Yacht Council, and UL-approved. Their marine battery cables are made with a high conductor count of individually tinned 100% copper conductors and are highly flexible as well as resistant to corrosion, acid, alkalines, gasoline, and oil.

To learn more about the specifications of their marine battery wire, visit their website at EWCSWire.com or contact them for more information.