What percentage of its nominal rating must the wiring terminals of a galvanic isolator have?

The wiring terminals of a galvanic isolator are required to have a rating that exceeds their nominal rating to ensure safety and reliability under varying environmental conditions and potential overloads. A rating of 135% of the nominal current rating is specified as it provides a necessary margin for unexpected surges or fluctuations in current that can occur in marine applications. This additional capacity helps prevent overheating and potential failure of the component, enhancing overall system integrity.

Choosing a rating of 135% instead of a lower rating ensures that the isolator can handle peak currents without risk of failure. In practice, more conservative ratings, like 100% or slightly elevated at 110%, do not account sufficiently for the variable conditions in which marine electrical systems operate, particularly in the face of corrosion, long cable runs, or environmental impacts. This is why a minimum of 135% is mandated for wiring terminals in galvanic isolators to safeguard against these potential issues.