BAYWATT — Marine DC Thermal Circuit Breaker
- BAYWATT
- 60A–300A
- 12V–48V DC by Rating
- Manual Reset + LED
- IP66 Waterproof
- See Specs ↓
Protect high-current 12V, 24V and 48V DC circuits with a resettable marine thermal circuit breaker. Designed for battery banks, inverters, windlasses, anchor winches, bow thrusters and main DC distribution, it automatically opens the circuit in the event of a sustained overload or short circuit.
Available from 60A to 300A, this surface-mount DC breaker is a practical, reusable alternative to a high-current fuse. The illuminated reset button makes a tripped circuit easy to identify, then restores power manually once the cause has been corrected.
Purpose-built protection for high-power DC circuits. Use it as a battery circuit breaker, inverter circuit breaker, windlass circuit breaker or main DC overload protection.
- Automatic thermal trip with manual reset
- LED illuminates when the breaker has tripped
- IP66 enclosure for exposed marine environments
- Stainless-steel connection studs: M6 or M10 depending on rating
- Ignition protected to ISO 8846 for suitable petrol-engine compartments
Useful sizing rule: where the equipment manufacturer does not prescribe a breaker, choosing a rating approximately 25–30% above the known continuous load is generally suitable. It allows normal running current and brief motor or inverter surges without compromising correct cable protection—provided the selected rating remains within the safe ampacity of the cable and the breaker is rated for the system voltage.
Built for Marine Battery, Inverter & Winch Circuits
Automatic DC Overcurrent Protection A thermal trip disconnects the circuit during sustained overloads, helping protect the positive cable, battery bank and connected equipment.
Clear LED Fault Indication When the breaker trips, its LED indicates the open circuit. The push-button reset makes fault finding and restoration straightforward.
Marine-Grade Construction IP66 protection, corrosion-resistant studs and an operating range from −32°C to +82°C suit battery lockers, engine spaces and exposed onboard installations.
Choose the Correct Circuit Breaker Rating
1
60A / 120A
- 12V, 24V or 48V DC systems
- DC distribution feeds
- Small and medium inverter inputs
- Charging and auxiliary battery circuits
- Equipment with a manufacturer-recommended rating in this range
2
200A
- 12V or 24V DC systems
- High-current inverter supply
- 24V anchor winch or windlass circuits
- House-battery main feeds
- High-output charging circuits
3
250A / 300A
- 12V DC systems only
- Heavy-duty windlasses and anchor winches
- 12V bow thrusters
- Large 12V inverter inputs
- Main 12V battery protection
Application examples are a starting point only. Always check the maximum current specified by the equipment manufacturer, cable cross-section and installation conditions before selecting the breaker.
How to Select & Install a DC Circuit Breaker
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Check the maximum system voltage. Select 60A or 120A for 48V systems; use ratings up to 200A at 24V, or up to 300A at 12V.
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Identify the actual continuous load. Use the equipment data sheet or measure the normal current under load. Consider permitted startup surge for motors and inverters.
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Select the breaker rating. Follow the manufacturer's specified protection rating. If none is given, a rating around 25–30% above the expected continuous load is normally appropriate.
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Protect the cable first. The selected breaker must never exceed the safe current rating of the smallest conductor it protects.
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Install on the positive supply conductor. Position the breaker as close as practical to the battery or other power source, keeping the unprotected cable length short.
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Use correct cable lugs and torque. Use marine-grade tinned-copper lugs, heat-shrink protection and the specified stud torque. Check connections periodically for heat, corrosion and looseness.
Important: Do not increase the breaker size simply because it trips. A repeated trip can indicate an overload, incorrect cable sizing, a loose connection, excessive motor load, an inverter fault or a short circuit. Isolate the battery and diagnose the cause before resetting the system.
Essential DC Protection for Onboard Power
High-current DC systems can deliver enough energy to overheat cable insulation, damage battery equipment or cause fire within seconds. A correctly selected marine DC circuit breaker protects the conductor and provides a local, resettable isolation point for service and fault diagnosis.
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Battery banks: main positive-cable protection for lithium, AGM and lead-acid batteries.
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Inverters: DC input protection between the battery bank and a 12V, 24V or 48V inverter.
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Windlasses and winches: overload protection for anchor winches and other high-current DC motors.
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Bow thrusters: suitable high-current protection for correctly rated 12V or 24V installations.
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DC distribution: protection for switch panels, charging equipment and high-power auxiliary feeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this breaker for a windlass or anchor winch?
Yes, provided the breaker rating, system voltage and cable size are correct for the windlass. Check the manufacturer's recommended circuit protection first. The 250A and 300A versions are for 12V systems only.
Can I use it between a battery and an inverter?
Yes. It is designed for high-current DC battery-to-inverter protection, as long as the breaker is selected according to the inverter's maximum DC input current, the cable rating and the system voltage.
Is 30% oversizing acceptable?
For an accurately known continuous load, allowing approximately 25–30% headroom is normally acceptable and helps avoid unnecessary trips from brief permitted surges. The breaker must still be below the protected cable's safe current rating and must not override a manufacturer-specified value.
Why has the LED come on?
The LED indicates that the thermal circuit breaker has tripped and the circuit is open. Correct the cause of the overload or fault before manually resetting it.
Can I use a 300A breaker in a 48V system?
No. At 48V, use only the 60A or 120A versions. The 200A version is suitable up to 24V, while 250A and 300A versions are suitable for 12V systems only.
View Specifications Review Installation
Need help choosing a battery, inverter or windlass circuit breaker? BAYWATT support can help you identify the appropriate rating.