Water, especially salt water, and electrical components don’t mix. Corrosion at the terminals can lead to increased electrical resistance. That resistance means higher voltage drop and the possibility of localized heating at the terminal. A worst case scenario is an electrical fire from the resulting heat.
One method of keeping water away from electrical connections is called a “drip loop”. The wires going to a bus bar or terminal block are lead below the item being connected to and then back up to form a loop. The theory is that the water will run down the loop and drip off at the bottom of the loop. The drawing explains it all.
Capt'n Pauley
