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Blue Sea 50A 285-Series Surface Mount Thermal Circuit Breaker
Blue Sea 50A 285-Series Surface Mount Thermal Circuit Breaker
SAE J1171 Ignition Protected - Weather-Resistant - Manual Trip & Reset
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DESCRIPTION
Reliable Overcurrent Protection for Marine, Caravan, and Off-Grid DC Systems
The Blue Sea Systems 285-Series 50A Surface Mount Thermal Circuit Breaker is engineered to deliver dependable overcurrent protection and manual switching in a single, compact unit. Designed for demanding mobile, marine, and off-grid electrical environments, this heavy-duty breaker safeguards your wiring and auxiliary equipment from potentially hazardous thermal overloads and short circuits. By combining switching and protection functions into one device, it streamlines your installation, reduces connection points, and saves valuable space in tight battery boxes or electrical panels.
Whether you are fitting out a commercial vessel, upgrading a 4WD dual-battery system, or building a custom caravan power setup, reliable circuit protection is critical. Standard fuses require carrying spares and can be difficult to replace in the dark or rough conditions. The 285-Series solves this problem with a highly visible yellow reset lever that clearly indicates an open circuit condition and allows for immediate system restoration once the fault is cleared.
Engineered for Harsh Environments and Maximum Safety
Built to withstand the rigours of marine and automotive applications, this circuit breaker features a weather-resistant housing that protects internal components from moisture, dust, and salt spray. It includes an integrated rubber protective boot to insulate the heavy-duty terminal studs, significantly reducing the risk of accidental short circuits in crowded enclosures.
Safety is paramount in enclosed spaces, particularly around fuel sources and battery banks. This unit is fully ignition protected and complies with SAE J1171 external ignition protection requirements. This critical certification makes it safe for installation aboard petrol-powered boats and inside ventilated battery compartments where explosive gases may be present.
Key Features and Benefits
- Dual-Function Design: Combines reliable thermal circuit protection with manual switching capabilities via a dedicated red push-to-trip button for convenient circuit disconnection during maintenance.
- Trip-Free Mechanism: Internally engineered so the breaker cannot be manually held closed during an active fault or overcurrent condition, protecting your cables and appliances from severe damage.
- Visual Status Indication: The prominent yellow reset lever provides immediate visual confirmation when a circuit has tripped, simplifying fault finding in complex DC distribution systems.
- SAE J1171 Ignition Protected: Safe for installation in marine engine rooms, bilges, and aboard petrol-powered vessels without risking the ignition of surrounding fumes.
- Weather-Resistant Construction: Sealed housing and an integrated terminal insulator boot defend against moisture ingress and accidental terminal bridging.
- Secure Surface Mounting: Reinforced mounting holes allow for straightforward, robust installation onto flat surfaces, bulkheads, or custom distribution boards.
Application Considerations and Best Practices
The 50A rating makes this breaker well-suited for protecting medium-duty DC circuits, such as DC-DC chargers, solar charge controllers, windlasses, hydraulic pumps, and sub-distribution fuse blocks. The heavy-duty terminal studs and supplied hardware ensure low-resistance electrical connections for optimal system efficiency.
Important Application Note: While this unit combines switching and circuit breaker functions, do not use it as a regular manual switch where high inrush currents are expected, as repeated switching under heavy surge loads can prematurely wear the internal contacts.
Upgrade Your Electrical Protection
Ensure your marine, RV, or 4WD electrical system is protected against overloads with industry-standard components. Add the Blue Sea 285-Series 50A Thermal Circuit Breaker to your setup today for safe, resettable, and compliant DC circuit management.
SKU: BS-7183B
SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Product type | Thermal circuit breaker |
| Mounting / form factor | Surface mount |
| Ignition protected | Yes |
| Standards / compliance | SAE J1171 external ignition protection requirements |
| SKU: | BS-7183B |
| Model #: | BS-7183B |
| MPN: | BS-7183B |
| Package weight: | 0.24 kg |
| Package length: | 0.09 m |
| Package width: | 0.09 m |
| Package height: | 0.08 m |
WARRANTY
Blue Sea Warranty Policy
Blue Sea Systems products sold by us are supplied with a warranty against defects for the warranty period shown below, subject to the product type, application and the terms of this warranty policy.
The express warranty provided by us is limited to a maximum of 5 years from the original date of purchase, unless otherwise required under Australian Consumer Law.
Blue Sea Systems may offer longer manufacturer support on some products at their discretion
Warranty Lengths by Product Range
| Blue Sea Product Range | Warranty Length | Application / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most Blue Sea Systems Products | 5 years | Applies to most Blue Sea Systems products found to be defective in materials or manufacture. |
| P12 Battery Chargers | 5 years | Warranty period starts from the original date of purchase. |
| P12 Remote Displays | 5 years | Warranty period starts from the original date of purchase. |
| Digital Meters | 3 years | Warranty period starts from the original date of purchase. |
| Vessel System Monitors | 3 years | Warranty period starts from the original date of purchase. |
Warranty Assessment and Remedy
If a Blue Sea Systems product is found to be defective in materials or manufacture within the applicable warranty period, we will, at our discretion, arrange a repair, replacement, store credit or refund, depending on the nature of the fault and the requirements of Australian Consumer Law.
Products may need to be returned for assessment before a warranty claim can be approved. Where required, the product must be returned with dated proof of purchase and a clear description of the fault.
Labour costs for removing, replacing, reinstalling or diagnosing a product are not covered by this express warranty unless otherwise required under Australian Consumer Law.
Making a Warranty Claim
To make a warranty claim, please contact us with your dated proof of purchase, product details and a description of the fault.
The product may need to be returned for inspection before the claim can be assessed. If the product is confirmed to be faulty and covered by this warranty, we will advise the available remedy.
What This Warranty Does Not Cover
This warranty does not cover faults or damage caused by incorrect installation, incorrect application, misuse, abuse, neglect, unauthorised modification, accidental damage, normal wear and tear, environmental damage, or failure to use the product in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Incorrect installation or wiring
- Incorrect product selection or application
- Misuse, abuse or neglect
- Physical or accidental damage
- Water ingress or environmental damage outside the product's intended use
- Unauthorised modification or repair
- Normal wear and tear
- Labour costs for removal, replacement, reinstallation or diagnosis
- Freight, travel or call-out costs unless otherwise required by law
- Products not returned for assessment when reasonably required
Manufacturer Support
Blue Sea Systems may provide additional manufacturer support on some products beyond the warranty period listed above. Where available, we may assist customers in contacting the manufacturer, but any manufacturer support beyond the express warranty period is subject to the manufacturer's own terms and continued availability.
Australian Consumer Law
This warranty is in addition to other rights and remedies available at law. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
DOCUMENTS
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