Question 1

What exactly does a marine electrician do that an electronics tech doesn't?

Accepted Answer

We handle the ship's electrical system — anything a wire touches on board. That means generator output, shore power, switchgear, distribution, breakers, batteries, control circuits, alarms, lighting and appliances. Electronics techs handle bridge navigation gear and audio/video systems. Those are different departments, and we don't work in them.

Question 2

Do you service navigation electronics or audio/video systems?

Accepted Answer

No. Prism Marine Electric is strictly a marine electrical company. We do not install or repair radar, chartplotters, autopilots, satellite systems, televisions, audio or entertainment systems. If that's what you need, we'll happily point you toward a reputable specialist.

Question 3

Do you work on high voltage as well as low voltage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work from 480V/240V/120V AC shore power and generator systems through 24V and 12V DC control and accessory circuits. Most real-world faults cross between the two, so treating them as one system is the only way to find the cause.

Question 4

Are you available for emergencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we operate 24/7. If a vessel loses power, has a hot panel, or a fault appears before a departure, call 954-210-4010 and you'll reach someone who can triage the problem immediately.

Question 5

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We're based in Fort Lauderdale and serve the tri-county area: Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. Domestic and international service is available upon request for vessels we maintain.

Question 6

Which class surveys can you support?

Accepted Answer

All of the periodical intervals — 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and 20-year-plus class surveys. That work is a large share of what we do: pre-survey audit, insulation resistance testing, hull potential and bonding checks, thermal imaging, protection verification and documentation, then attendance with the surveyor and close-out of electrical findings.

Question 7

Do you do battery load testing and battery bank replacement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We load test 12V and 24V battery banks, verify capacity, check what the charger, alternator and inverter are actually delivering, and replace banks — lead acid, AGM, gel or lithium — with correctly sized tinned copper cable, rated protection at the bank, secure mounting and ventilation, plus monitoring you can read at the panel.

Question 8

Can you fix flickering lights caused by variable frequency drives?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's harmonic mitigation. VFDs on chillers, pumps, thrusters and stabilizers distort the supply and make lights flicker. We log power quality at the switchboard, identify which drive is causing it, design a mitigation solution (filtering, reactors, cabling or configuration) and re-measure to prove the improvement. We work with Schneider and ABB drives.

Question 9

Do you work on shore power systems?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Inlets, cordsets, isolation transformers, galvanic isolators, conversion equipment and transfer gear. Magnus shore power systems are our preferred solution. If a proprietary shore power converter needs factory-authorized warranty service, we'll tell you exactly who to call instead.

Question 10

Can you find the cause of corrosion or a ground fault?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry out hull potential surveys, trace ground faults circuit by circuit, test bonding continuity, verify galvanic isolators and isolation transformers, and document the readings so you can show a surveyor, insurer or yard what was found and corrected.

Question 11

Can you wire in a new galley or laundry appliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We read the manufacturer's specs, confirm the panel has capacity, run a correctly sized feeder, add and label the breaker, then commission and load test the circuit. We don't sell appliances — we provide the electrical support so the vessel can run the equipment you chose.

Question 12

Do you install underwater lights?

Accepted Answer

Yes — installation, replacement and circuit repair to the manufacturer's specification, including through-hull sealing, drivers, dimming and color control, protection and bonding. We're not a dealer for any brand, so the recommendation is based on your vessel rather than a product line.

Question 13

Can you repair items on a surveyor's punch list?

Accepted Answer

Regularly. Larger surveying firms often bring us in for the electrical portion of a survey, and vessels hire us directly to clear the electrical deficiencies another surveyor generated. We work the list item by item and document each close-out.

Question 14

Do you do pre-purchase electrical inspections?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Buyer and seller surveys are part of our core work. You get a written report covering condition, terminations, grounding and bonding, corrosion, past modifications and the real cost to bring systems to standard.

Question 15

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Prism Marine Electric LLC is fully licensed and insured, and we carry the credentials required for access to all major South Florida yards, marinas and refit facilities.

Question 16

Do you rebuild generators?

Accepted Answer

We handle the electrical side of a generator — output, AVR, breakers, transfer gear, controls and alarms. Mechanical rebuilds (engine internals, cooling, fuel systems) belong with a diesel mechanic, and we coordinate with them regularly.

Question 17

How do you price work?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic work is billed hourly with a clear estimate before we start. Defined projects — panel rebuilds, LED retrofits, survey remediation — are quoted as a scope with parts and labor itemized. You'll know the number before we begin.

Question 18

Can you work while the vessel is in a yard?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're credentialed for the major South Florida yards and refit facilities and regularly work alongside yard trades, project managers and other contractors during refit periods.

Question 19

What brands and components do you use?

Accepted Answer

Industrial and marine-grade components — Schneider and ABB for drives and controls, Magnus for shore power systems, tinned marine cable and correctly rated terminations throughout. We don't substitute consumer parts into a machinery space.

Question 20

How fast can a marine electrician get to my yacht in Fort Lauderdale?

Accepted Answer

Our shop is at 201 SW 18th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, minutes from the New River, Las Olas and Port Everglades. For most Fort Lauderdale and Broward County docks we can be aboard the same day, and same-day or next-day in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade depending on the schedule. Call 954-210-4010 and we'll tell you honestly when we can be there.

Question 21

Do you offer emergency yacht electrical repair in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide 24/7 emergency marine electrical response across Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County — lost shore power, tripping main breakers, generator faults, dead battery banks, alarm and fire panel faults, and pre-departure failures.

Question 22

Do you work on both private yachts and charter or commercial vessels?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work on private yachts, superyachts, sportfish and charter vessels, and we work directly with owners, captains, chief engineers and yacht management companies. Documentation is written so it stands up with insurers, surveyors and class societies.

Question 23

Is there a free estimate for marine electrical work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Estimates are free — describe the vessel, the system and the symptom by phone at 954-210-4010 or through the estimate form on this site, and we'll come back with realistic scope, hours and cost before any work starts.

Marine electrical questions, answered plainly

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