Re: Wiring question
some of the 16 awg wiring on my boat looks burnt, the copper part, it appear that other wire that is not burnt is tinned wire, but it look like the tin is deteriorating. The tin is coming off of the conductor. My question is how safe is operating the bilge pump and other things with this burnt looking wire? The pump still works.
The 16 ga. wire that appears burnt may be a non-marine wire, which means it is not tinned. Water will wick up under the insulation of non-marine wire and corrode the copper strands, turning them black.
This wire should be replaced as it is unable to carry it's rated current and could lead to equipment failure.
As for the tinning flaking off, I have never seen this happen, doesn't mean it can't, but this wire also should be replaced.
Some equipment, when unable to receive the required voltage, may mal -function or even cease to operate. Wire is cheaper than a boat.
