What is the standard voltage for most marine DC systems?

Most marine DC systems are standardized at 12 volts. This voltage level is widely adopted due to its efficiency and the availability of a vast range of compatible devices and components, including batteries, lights, pumps, and electronics.

The 12-volt system strikes a good balance for typical power applications on smaller vessels, providing adequate power while keeping components lightweight and more affordable than higher voltage systems. Additionally, many marine equipment manufacturers design their products to operate on a 12-volt array, which enhances compatibility across different brands and systems.

While 24 volts is also used, particularly in larger vessels requiring higher power systems or longer cable runs to minimize voltage drop, it is not as common as 12 volts for smaller boats. Systems operating on 6 volts or 48 volts are relatively rare in the marine environment and can be found more often in specific niche applications or larger industrial or commercial installations.