Why Are All These Superyachts Catching on Fire?

A transformer is designed to change voltage and regulate the voltage coming in. The newer transformers do that, they just have advanced from 1960s technology and now also protect the circuit from spikes and voltage drops and other things with modern technology. Just about any transformer that is made for yachts over the past 10 years is now an isolation transformer which protects the yachts electric from stray currents, voltage spikes and whatnot and not the typical extinct transformers that you're talking about with just copper windings and a magnetic field. Mastervolt, charles, and all other well manufactured yacht transformers are isolation transformers which help prevent yacht electrical fires. Any modern marine isolation transformer will do what Orthokevin asked.

The transformer I referenced is also a boosting transformer and will boost the current, so yes it is not a typical transformer in the sense of the word as it boosts the voltage when needed as well. But it is still a transformer none the less, although technically called a boosting transformer.

Just like battery chargers. The new ones are ignition protected, have electronics with much better charging profiles for the various battery types, they also have several charging modes to help the batteries last longer. But, they are still a battery charger.

Almost every transformer isolates. Every transformer *but* the autotransformer. (Actual isolation transformers have to meet higher standards.)

Why would you use one?
They have only one winding, use half the copper - which happens to be costly. They are not as heavy, easier to lug around on the pier.
They can also be slightly more efficient, which is interesting in applications like power transmission. Not so much for boat use though, just diagnosing an electrolysis repair eats such savings in no time.

IOW they are the cheapest way to build a transformer. The yacht industry sells them with marine item surcharge. And you can't even blame the Chinese for substituting this particular inappropriate product.


The real issue are substandard electrical installations. Both dockside and on the boats.
Breakers, fuses, wiring and all the other parts of the system are supposed to be in good condition and dimensioned in such a way that the safety mechanisms trip way BEFORE fire happens.
I don't know about the US but over here there is a quite effective if somewhat unknown way to solve the dockside problem: Punting it up to the electrical company.
Part of the supply contract is the requirement that the electrical system is up to standard. If it is not they'll give a short time to repair, if that doesn't happen or if the situation is deemed to dangerous to wait they will turn the site/customer off until the system has been repaired and reinspected. Simple as that.
Yes that is indeed the equivalent of calling the Fire Marshal or OSHA with a complaint and unlikely to make you popular. - But it will solve problems in a hurry. Especially if someone is in the electrical resale business like marinas and camping grounds are.

Just reread Ralph's old post and so much truth in both points. First, as to GFCI. I've seen so many transient boaters complain and whine but when you can't plug in it's a potential life saver for you because it's showing you have a problem and requiring you to get it fixed.

Then part two. Professional marine electrician. Get things fixed correctly.

Same cause of most land fires. So many houses with do it yourself or shade tree sloppy wiring done. If you paint rather than use a professional and it's a bit sloppy then just doesn't look perfect but you also saved money so might be great tradeoff. Well, your mom taught you not to play with matches and lighters but at some age should have taught you not to play with electricity. A bit sloppy there can be disastrous. I think of all the do it yourself plumbing and then there's a little leak and it's messy but no big deal. Same in electricity and same leaks and big deal.

Boosting transformers, yes with all kinds of smart circuitry, are widely in use in the Motor Coach world as well. Just like marinas many RV resorts feature electrical systems that were designed when coaches had one or two AC's, not three or four. And, a lot of them are getting older too.
Hughes Autoformer is a very popular unit, and I have one on my Diesel Pusher. And yes, you borrow from the amp side to make the extra volts so you may have to run less load than you normally could/would. The modern circuitry in everything from AC's to fridges needs healthy voltage or things start breaking, or worse.

I think so many are catching fire simply because of age. The fleet of Megayachts is getting older and you have soooooo many electrical circuits and systems on them.

The NEC (National Electric Code) Allows 5% on single phase residential and commercial standard of 120 & 240 volts. So 120 v. should never be lower than 114 V. and 240 V. should stay above 228 V. Long runs of conductors that are under sized also add to the voltage drop equation.