Blue Sea 285-Series Circuit Breaker – Panel Mount Marine DC Protection

Protect your boat's electrical system with the Blue Sea Systems 285-Series Panel Mount Circuit Breaker, a marine-grade thermal circuit breaker designed for reliable overcurrent protection in DC electrical installations.

Featuring a panel-mount design, manual reset lever and trip-free protection, the Blue Sea 285-Series combines circuit protection and manual switching in one compact unit.

With a maximum operating voltage of 48V DC, this breaker is suitable for appropriately designed 12V and 24V marine electrical systems, including electrical distribution panels, switchboards and compatible onboard equipment circuits.

The 285-Series features weather-resistant construction and meets SAE J1171 external ignition protection requirements, making it suitable for correctly designed installations aboard petrol-powered vessels where ignition-protected equipment is required.

Available in 25A to 150A ratings, the Blue Sea 285-Series provides a range of options for marine electricians and boat owners installing or upgrading DC circuit protection.

Shop Blue Sea Systems marine electrical equipment online at Barton Marine NZ, supplying marine circuit breakers and electrical accessories throughout New Zealand.

Key Features

• Genuine Blue Sea Systems 285-Series Circuit Breaker

• Panel-mount design for marine electrical installations

• Available in 25A to 150A ratings

• Maximum operating voltage of 48V DC

• Suitable for correctly designed 12V and 24V systems

• Thermally responsive bi-metal blade mechanism

• Manual reset with visible reset lever

• Trip-free protection prevents the breaker from being held closed after tripping

• Combines circuit protection and manual switching

• Weather-resistant construction

• Ignition protected to SAE J1171

• 3,000A interrupt capacity at 48V DC

• M6 terminal studs accepting compatible 1/4-inch ring terminals

• Designed as a replacement for compatible Blue Sea 185-Series breakers

• Suitable for marine switchboards and electrical control panels

Technical Specifications

Important: Select the correct amperage rating for your wiring and electrical equipment. The circuit breaker's rated current must not exceed the safe current-carrying capacity of the protected circuit.

Available Amperage Ratings

The Blue Sea 285-Series Panel Mount Circuit Breaker is available in the following ratings:

Choose the appropriate amperage from the product options before ordering.

Reliable Marine DC Circuit Protection

Marine electrical systems require correctly rated circuit protection to help prevent overheating and damage caused by excessive electrical current.

The Blue Sea 285-Series is designed to interrupt the circuit when its thermal trip mechanism detects an overcurrent condition for sufficient time.

This helps protect appropriately sized marine electrical wiring against overloads and certain fault conditions.

Correct breaker selection and installation are essential for effective protection.

Panel Mount Design

The Blue Sea 285-Series Panel Mount Circuit Breaker is designed for installation in compatible electrical panels and switchboards.

This makes it useful for:

• Marine electrical distribution panels

• Yacht switchboards

• Powerboat electrical systems

• DC equipment control panels

• Replacement electrical installations

• Marine electrical upgrades

Panel mounting provides an accessible reset lever while allowing the electrical connections to be located behind the mounting panel.

Before installation, confirm the required panel cut-out dimensions and mounting clearances using the current Blue Sea Systems installation drawing.

Manual Reset with Visible Lever

The 285-Series features a manually operated reset lever that provides a visible indication when the circuit is open.

After the breaker trips, the lever can be reset once the underlying electrical fault has been identified and corrected.

Unlike a conventional disposable fuse, the breaker does not normally require replacement after a routine protective trip.

Never repeatedly reset a circuit breaker without investigating why it is tripping.

Trip-Free Circuit Breaker Design

The Blue Sea 285-Series incorporates a trip-free mechanism.

This prevents the breaker from being held electrically closed after its protective mechanism has operated.

Even if the reset lever is held in the closed position, the breaker is designed to trip under the specified overcurrent conditions.

This provides an important protection feature in marine electrical installations.

Combines Circuit Protection & Switching

The Blue Sea 285-Series combines manual switching and circuit protection within one device.

This can simplify suitable electrical installations where both functions are required.

However, Blue Sea Systems advises against using the breaker as a switch where high inrush currents are expected.

Equipment such as motors, pumps, compressors and winches may have starting currents significantly higher than their normal running current.

Confirm compatibility with the connected equipment before selecting the breaker.

Suitable for 12V & 24V Marine Systems

With a maximum operating voltage of 48V DC, the Blue Sea 285-Series is suitable for properly designed lower-voltage marine DC systems.

Typical applications may include:

• 12V yacht electrical systems

• 24V powerboat electrical systems

• DC distribution circuits

• Marine electrical control panels

• Battery-fed accessory circuits

• Suitable onboard equipment circuits

The breaker must be selected according to the complete electrical installation, including the available fault current, cable size and expected operating load.