Long-Term Properties of Shore-to-Vessel Connectors in Maritime Environments

Accelerated aging tests have been performed to determine the influence of coastal climate (salt mist) on connectors for use to transfer power from shore to vessel batteries. The test objects were CCS Combo 2 (DC) and Type 2 (AC). The tests simulate about three and a half years of operation in Norwegian coastal environments (marine corrosion index 8). The resistance increases excessively for at least one contact in all connectors exposed to salt mist. Still, most of these connectors also have contacts without excessive contact increase. In the reference group (i.e. not exposed to salt mist), a similar excessive contact increase is not observed for any contacts. Post-mortem investigations indicate that connections are sensitive to mechanical handling. Although the number of test objects were limited, the results indicate that exposure to coastal climate and/or excessive manual handling can be a concern for CCS Combo 2 and Type 2 connectors. At the same time, the recorded resistance increases were limited, and the tested connectors would not have failed due to overheating during three and a half years of operation.