Is There Hidden Danger On Your Dock? Here's What Lake Of The Ozarks Electricians Are Finding

The Lake of the Ozarks has around 40,000 docks, and nearly all of them are connected to electricity.

That dock count comes from Ameren, the electric company that owns and operates the Lake of the Ozarks and Bagnell Dam and issues permits for docks on the Lake. Electricity — whether through Ameren, Laclede or Co-Mo, the Lake area's main electric providers — is a requirement for any modern dock: it runs the boat lift, dock lighting, appliances, and everything else that accessorizes Lake life.

But electricity can also be one of the biggest problems for dock owners.

Catalyst Electric electricians are on docks almost every day of the year, running new connections for dock upgrades and fixing problems that — untended — could have otherwise become catastrophes.

Catalyst Electric Owner and Master Electrician Jon Bussey shared with LakeExpo some of the most common problems his crews find on docks — all of which could be dangerous to anyone who sets foot on one.

Is your dock safe for summer fun? Get a free dock electric inspection by Catalyst Electric: call 573-552-8488. Online: catalystelectric.com

Catalyst Electric

Since 2008, Catalyst Electric has provided superior, code compliant electrical services to the Lake of the Ozarks area and surrounding communi…

Here is just a sample of the many problems Bussey says his crews find when they're inspecting docks on Lake of the Ozarks:

1. Wrong type of fixture installed.

An indoor-rated fixture installed outdoors can lead to trouble.

2. Flexible conduit connections broken or loose.

Dock electric wire must be run through conduit, but those plastic conduit connections are subject to many stresses and can be broken due to an impact or even just the wear-and-tear of being on a constantly-moving dock. When a connection point is broken, the wire is no longer protected and might also have been damaged by whatever broke that connector.

3. Water in light fixtures due to original improper fixture installation.

Installing light fixtures in an outdoor setting like a dock is not quite as straightforward as installing a new vanity light over the bathroom sink. Poor installation can lead to water in the fixture, which can compromise the light and even the entire electrical circuit.

4. Flexible conduit pulled tight due to dock movement caused by the lowering of water.

In the winter, the Lake of the Ozarks water level drops from its summer high-point of ~660 feet (elevation above sea level) to about 654 feet. Docks follow the water level, and that movement can damage the electric connection where the dock meets the land.

Dock owners often don't notice this problem until the exposed wires are damaged as a result. And at that point, it's a dangerous situation.

5. Malfunctioning GFCI breakers.

Here's an alarming statistic: Bussey says 50% or more of GFCI breakers malfunction in areas that experience heavy lightning (aka, Lake of the Ozarks!)

That's true across all brands of breakers. This is a major problem, because a properly-functioning GFCI breaker is what stands between you and electrocution, when there's a problem on a dock's electrical circuit and it's leaking electricity.

6. Wiring from house not big enough to handle the dock load.

Once upon a time, docks just needed electricity for a light or two. Now many docks feature abundant lighting, TV and sound systems, powered boat lifts, and even a bar or kitchen with heavy-electrical-draw appliances for cooking or refrigeration.

That original wiring from a few decades ago, intended just to power a few lights, can't handle all that load.

7. Wrong type of wire from the house.

Outdoor wiring has special requirements: get a qualified electrician to do it, so it's done right.

8. Poor grounding.

This could be as simple as a bad connection in a junction box at the house. But whatever it is, poor grounding for the dock's electric connection can be a fatal failure.

Ready for a free dock electric inspection? Call Catalyst Electric at 573-552-8488. And tell them LakeExpo sent you.