Electricity and water are a dangerous combination when the wiring is not done right. Docks, boat lifts, and waterfront structures require specialized electrical installations that go far beyond standard residential wiring. The National Electrical Code dedicates an entire article -- NEC Article 555 -- specifically to marinas and boatyards because the risks of electric shock drowning, corrosion, and equipment failure near water are so serious.
Unity Power & Light provides dock and boat lift wiring services throughout the Aiken, SC area, including lakefront properties on Clarks Hill Lake, Langley Pond, and surrounding waterways. We install marine-grade electrical systems that protect your family, your equipment, and your property. Every installation meets NEC Article 555 requirements and is built to withstand the harsh conditions of a waterfront environment.
What We Do
We provide complete electrical services for docks, piers, boat lifts, and waterfront structures.
Boat Lift Motor Circuits
Boat lift motors typically require dedicated 240V or 120V circuits depending on the lift capacity. We size the circuit, wire, and breaker to match your specific lift motor, install the disconnect switch at the required location, and connect the motor with marine-rated wiring and connections.
Dock Lighting
We install low-voltage LED dock lights, post lights, pathway lighting, and underwater fishing lights. All fixtures are marine-rated for wet locations, and circuits include GFCI protection. Automated controls with photocells or timers keep your dock lit at night without wasting energy.
GFCI Protection Systems
Every receptacle and circuit on or near a dock must have ground-fault circuit interrupter protection. GFCI devices detect current leakage as small as 5 milliamps and cut power instantly, preventing electric shock drowning. We install GFCI breakers and receptacles throughout your dock system.
Shore Power Pedestals
If you need to power a boat while docked, we install shore power pedestals with the correct receptacle configuration for your vessel. Pedestals include GFCI protection, weatherproof enclosures, and proper grounding to prevent galvanic corrosion of underwater metal components.
Underground Feeder Runs
Getting power from your house to the dock requires an underground feeder cable run. We trench the route, install the correct conduit and wire for the distance and load, and connect both ends with proper disconnects and overcurrent protection.
Inspection & Upgrades
If your existing dock wiring is old, corroded, or was not installed to code, we provide thorough inspections and bring your system up to current NEC standards. We check for deteriorated insulation, missing GFCI protection, improper grounding, and undersized wiring.
Our Installation Process
Site Survey & Load Assessment
We visit your waterfront property to evaluate the dock structure, measure the distance from the house panel to the dock, and identify every piece of equipment that needs power -- lift motors, lights, receptacles, pumps. We check your main panel for available capacity and determine if an upgrade is needed.
Design & Permitting
We design the complete dock electrical system including wire sizing, conduit routing, disconnect locations, GFCI placement, and grounding. We pull the required electrical permit and coordinate with any applicable waterfront or environmental permits needed for trenching near the shoreline.
Install & Connect
We trench the underground feeder, install marine-rated conduit and wiring on the dock structure, mount disconnect switches and GFCI-protected panels, and connect all equipment. Every connection uses corrosion-resistant hardware and marine-grade enclosures rated for wet locations.
Test, Inspect & Commission
We test every circuit for proper voltage, grounding, and GFCI function. We verify the boat lift operates correctly in both directions, confirm all lights function, and test every receptacle. We schedule the electrical inspection and walk you through the system operation and safety features.
Why Professional Dock Wiring Matters
Dock electrical work is among the most safety-critical installations an electrician performs. Here is why this is not a DIY project.
Electric Shock Drowning Prevention
Electric shock drowning occurs when stray electrical current leaks into the water around a dock, paralyzing swimmers and causing them to drown. This is not theoretical -- it happens every year across the country. Proper GFCI protection, bonding, and grounding are the primary defenses against this lethal hazard. We install every dock system with ESD prevention as the top priority.
NEC Article 555 Compliance
NEC Article 555 sets specific requirements for wiring in marinas and boatyards including conductor types, raceway materials, grounding methods, GFCI requirements, and disconnect locations. These rules exist because standard residential wiring methods fail quickly in waterfront environments and create serious safety hazards. We build every dock system to full Article 555 compliance.
Corrosion Resistance
Standard electrical components corrode rapidly in waterfront environments due to moisture, salt air, and galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals. We use marine-grade stainless steel hardware, corrosion-resistant enclosures, and wiring methods specifically designed for wet and damp locations. Proper material selection prevents premature failure and costly repairs.
Proper Motor Circuit Sizing
Boat lift motors draw high starting current -- often three to five times their running amperage. A circuit that is undersized for the starting load will trip breakers repeatedly, overheat wiring, and eventually damage the motor. We calculate both running and starting loads and size the circuit, wire, and overcurrent protection to handle the full demand reliably.
Dock & Boat Lift Wiring Pricing
Unity Power & Light provides flat-rate pricing for dock and boat lift electrical work. Every project is quoted based on the complete scope of work so you know your investment before we begin.
Final pricing depends on the distance from your panel to the dock, the number of circuits needed, equipment specifications, and the condition of any existing wiring. We provide an exact quote after our site survey.
For more on dock electrical safety, read our blog post: Dock & Boat Lift Wiring in Aiken, SC
Why Choose Unity Power & Light
We offer a full range of residential electrical services including panel upgrades, outdoor lighting, and whole-house electrical work for lakefront and waterfront properties.
Need Dock or Boat Lift Wiring?
Serving Aiken, SC and surrounding communities including North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Jackson, and Clearwater. Get your flat-rate quote today.