Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 11

Unit 2
Main and emergency sources of electrical power

2.1. Main source of electrical power

2.1.1. Generators
In order to provide electric power for the lighting system, auxiliaries, cranes,
derricks, hatches and for domestic use, the ship is equipped with one or more
generators. Aboard vessels a generator produces electricity of 380 volts or 440
volts. The voltage can be stepped down (reduced) to 220 volts or even 110 volts
by a transformer. A generator produces either alternating current (A/C) or direct
current (D/C). A converter is used to convert (change) A/C into D/C. alternating
current changes polarity about 50 times per second (“50 Hertz”). In the USA
generators produce electricity of 60 Hz.
The main parts of a generator are the rotor, the stator and the commutator.
The rotor is a rotating electro-magnet. It produces a magnetic field. The rotor
rotates within a stator. Around this stator, or armature, coils of wire are wound.
These coils induce (“make”) electric current. The process is called induction. The
induced current is collected by the commutator. Carbon brushes pass the current
to the circuit. Nowadays the modern generators do not have carbon brushes
because they require regular maintenance. Instead, the rotor is excited by the
direct current that is delivered by the stator.

2.1.2. Number and rating of generating sets

Under seagoing conditions, the number and rating of generating sets and
converting sets, when any one generating set or converting set is out of action,
are:
a) to be sufficient to ensure the operation of electrical services for essential
equipment, habitable conditions and cargo refrigeration machinery for
ships having an RMC class notation;
b) to have sufficient reserve capacity to permit the starting of the largest
motor without causing any motor to stall or any device to fail due to
excessive voltage drop on the system;
c) to be capable of providing the electrical services necessary to start the
main propulsion machinery from a dead ship condition. The emergency
source of electrical power may be used to assist if it can provide power at
the same time to the other services required.
The arrangement of the ship’s main source of power is to be such that the
operation of electrical services for essential equipment, habitable conditions and
cargo refrigeration machinery can be maintained regardless of the speed and
direction of the propulsion machinery shafting.
12 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

2.1.3. Special requirements for UMS notation

Where the electrical power requirement to maintain the ship in a normal
operational and habitable condition is usually supplied by one generating set,
arrangements are to be provided to prevent overloading of the running generator.
On loss of power there is to be provision for automatic starting and connecting to
the main switchboard of the standby set and automatic sequential restarting of
essential services, in as short a time as is practicable.

2.1.4. Number and rating of transformers

Where the operation of electrical services for essential equipment, habitable
conditions and cargo refrigeration machinery are supplied via transformers, the
number and rating of transformers are to be sufficient to ensure the operation of
these electrical services even when one transformer is out of service.

2.2. Emergency sources of electrical power

The requirements apply to passenger and cargo ships to be classed for unrestricted
service. They do not apply to cargo ships less than 500 tons gross tonnage.

2.2.1. Emergency sources of electrical power in passenger ships

A self-contained emergency source of electrical power is to be provided. The
emergency source of electrical power, associated transforming equipment, if any,
transitional source of emergency power, emergency switchboard and emergency
lighting switchboard are to be located above the uppermost continuous deck and
be readily accessible from the open deck. The generators, batteries,
transformers, switch gear etc, forming the emergency source of power should
be sited so that flames, heat or smoke issuing from doors or other openings in
the event of a fire in the machinery space, will not impede the safe operation
of the equipment or render the space inaccessible or uninhabitable to
necessary personnel. They are not to be located forward of the collision
bulkhead.

The location of the emergency source of electrical power and associated

transforming equipment, if any, transitional source of emergency power, the
emergency switchboard and emergency lighting switchboard in relation to the
main source of electrical power, associated transforming equipment, if any, and
the main switchboard is to be such as to ensure that a fire or other casualty in
spaces containing the main source of electrical power, associated transforming
equipment, if any, and the main switchboard or in any machinery space of
Category A will not interfere with the supply, control and distribution of
emergency electrical power. The space containing the emergency source of
electrical power, associated transforming equipment, if any, the transitional source
of emergency electrical power and the emergency switchboard is not to be
 Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 13

contiguous to the boundaries of machinery spaces of Category A and those spaces

containing the main source of electrical power, associated transforming
equipment, if any, or the main switchboard.
Provided that suitable measures are taken for safeguarding independent
emergency operation under all circumstances, the emergency generator may be
used exceptionally, and for short periods, to supply non-emergency circuits.
The electrical power available is to be sufficient to supply all those
services that are essential for safety in an emergency, due regard being paid to
such services as may have to be operated simultaneously. The emergency source
of electrical power is to be capable, having regard to starting currents and the
transitory nature of certain loads, of supplying simultaneously at least the
following services for the periods specified hereinafter, if they depend upon an
electrical source for their operation:
a) For a period of 36 hours, emergency lighting:
(i) at every lifeboat preparation station, muster and embarkation station
and oversides;
(ii) in alleyways, stairways and exits, giving access to the muster and
embarkation stations;
(iii) in all service and accommodation alleyways, stairways and exits,
personnel lift cars;
(iv) in the machinery spaces and main generating stations including their
control positions;
(v) in all control stations, machinery control rooms, and at each main and
emergency switchboard;
(vi) at all stowage positions for firemen’s outfits;
(vii) at the steering gear; and
(viii) at the fire pump, the sprinkler pump and the emergency bilge pump
and at the starting position of their motors.
b) For a period of 36 hours, the navigation lights and other lights required by
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in force.
c) For a period of 36 hours:
(i) all internal communication equipment required in an emergency;
(ii) the navigational aids as required by Amendments to SOLAS 1974
Regulation V/12;
(iii) the fire detection, fire alarm and sample extraction smoke detection
systems, and the fire door holding and release system; and
(iv) for intermittent operation of the daylight signaling lamp, the ship’s
whistle, the manually operated call points and all internal signals that
are required in an emergency – unless such services have an
independent supply for the period of 36 hours from the accumulator
battery suitably located for use in emergency.
d) For a period of 36 hours:
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(i) emergency fire pump;

(ii) the automatic sprinkler pump, if any; and
(iii) the emergency bilge and all the equipment essential for the operation
of electrically powered remote controlled bilge valves.
e) The steering gear for the period of time required.
f) For a period of half an hour:
(i) any watertight doors if electrically operated together with their control,
indication and alarm circuits;
(ii) the emergency arrangements to bring the lift cars to deck level for the
escape of persons. The passenger lift cars may be brought to deck level
sequentially in an emergency.

The emergency source of electrical power may be either a generator or an

accumulator battery, which are to comply with the following:
a) Where the emergency source of electrical power is a generator it is to be:
(i) driven by a suitable prime mover with an independent supply of fuel
having a flashpoint of not less than 43°C;
(ii) started automatically upon failure of the electrical supply from the
main source of electrical power and is to be automatically connected to
the emergency switchboard; the services mentioned above are then to
be transferred automatically to the emergency generating set. The
automatic starting system and the characteristics of the prime mover
are to be such as to permit the emergency generator to carry its full
rated load as quickly as is safe and practicable, subject to a maximum
of 45 seconds.
b) Where the emergency source of electrical power is an accumulator battery,
it is to be capable of:
(i) carrying the emergency electrical load without recharging while
maintaining the voltage of the battery throughout the discharge period
within 12 percent above or below its normal voltage;
(ii) automatically connecting to the emergency switchboard in the event of
failure of the main source of electrical power.

The transitional source of emergency electrical power is to consist of

an accumulator battery suitably located for use in an emergency which is to
operate without recharging while maintaining the voltage of the battery
throughout the discharge period within 12 per cent above or below its nominal
voltage and be of sufficient capacity and so arranged as to supply
automatically in the event of failure of either the main or emergency source of
electrical power at least the following services, if they depend upon an
electrical source for their operation:
a) For half an hour:
 Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 15

(i) the required lighting;

(ii) all the services required, unless such services have an independent
supply for the period specified from an accumulator battery suitably
located for use in an emergency.
b) Power to operate the watertight doors at least three times, i.e. closed-open-
closed against an adverse list of 15°, but not necessarily all of them
simultaneously, together with their control, indication and alarm circuits.

The emergency switchboard is to be installed as near as is practicable

to the emergency source of electrical power. Where the emergency source of
electrical power is a generator, the emergency switchboard is to be located in
the same space unless the operation of the emergency switchboard would
thereby be impaired.
No accumulator battery except for engine starting is to be installed in
the same space as the emergency switchboard. An indicator is to be mounted
in a suitable place on the main switchboard or in the machinery control room
to indicate when the batteries constituting either the emergency source of
electrical power or the transitional source of emergency electrical power are
being discharged.
The emergency switchboard is to be supplied during normal operation
from the main switchboard by an interconnector feeder which is to be
adequately protected at the main switchboard against overload and short
circuit and which is to be disconnected automatically at the emergency
switchboard upon failure of the main source of electrical power. Where the
system is arranged for feedback operation, the interconnector feeder is also to
be protected at the emergency switchboard at least against short circuit.
In order to ensure ready availability of the emergency source of
electrical power, arrangements are to be made where necessary to disconnect
automatically non-emergency circuits from the emergency switchboard to
ensure that power will be available to the emergency circuits.
Provision is to be made for the periodic testing of the complete
emergency system and is to include the testing of automatic starting
arrangements.

In addition to the emergency lighting passenger ships with roll on-roll

off cargo spaces or special category spaces are to be provided with the
following:
a) in all passenger public spaces and alleyways supplementary electric
lighting that can operate for at least three hours when all other sources of
electric power have failed and under any condition of heel. The
illumination provided is to be such that the approach to the means of
escape can be readily seen. The source of power for the supplementary
16 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

lighting is to consist of accumulator batteries within the lighting units that

are continuously changed where practicable, from the emergency
switchboard. Consideration may be given to other means of lighting which
is at least effective. The supplementary lighting is to be such that any
failure of the lamp will be immediately apparent. Any accumulator battery
provided is to be replaced at intervals having regard to the specified
service life in the ambient conditions that they are subject to in service.
b) A portable rechargeable battery operated lamp is to be provided in every
crew space alleyway, recreational space and every working space which is
normally occupied unless supplementary emergency lighting is provided.

2.2.2. Radio installation

The radio installation is to be provided with reliable, permanently arranged
electrical lighting, independent of the main and emergency sources of electrical
power, for the adequate illumination of the radio controls for operating the radio
installation.
A reserve source or sources of energy is to be provided on every ship, to
supply radio installations, for the purpose of conducting distress and safety radio-
communications, in the event of failure of the ship’s main and emergency sources
of electrical power. The reserve source or sources of energy is to be capable of
simultaneously operating the VHF radio installation and, as appropriate for the sea
or sea area for which the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation, the
MF/HF radio installation, or the INMARSAT ship earth station and any of the
additional loads for a period of at least:
a) one hour on ships provided with an emergency source of electrical power, if
such source of power complies fully with all the relevant requirements mentioned
above, including the supply of such power to the radio installations; and
b) six hours on ships not provided with an emergency source of electrical power
complying fully with all relevant requirements mentioned above, including the
supply of such power to the radio installations.
The reserve source or sources of energy need not supply independent HF and MF
radio installation at the same time.
The reserve source of energy and its switchboard are to be as high as
practicable in the ship and readily accessible to the radio officer. The switchboard
is to, wherever possible, be situated in a radio room: if it is not, it is to be capable
of being illuminated.
The reserve source or sources of energy is to be independent of the
propelling power of the ship’s electrical system.

2.3. External source of electrical power

Where arrangements are made for the supply of electricity from a source on shore
or elsewhere, a connection box is to be installed in a position suitable for the
 Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 17

convenient reception of the flexible cables from the external source and
containing a circuit-breaker or isolating switch and fuses and terminals including
one earthed, of ample size and suitable shape to facilitate a satisfactory connection
of the three-phase external supplies with earthed neutrals.
Suitable cables, permanently fixed, are to be provided, connecting the
terminals in the connection box to a linked switch and/or a circuit-breaker at the
main switchboard. An indicator is to be provided at the main switchboard in order
to show when the cables are energized.
Means are to be provided for checking the phase sequence of the incoming
supply.
At the connection box a notice is to be provided giving full information on
the system of supply, the normal voltage and frequency of the installation’s system
and the procedure of carrying out the connection.

TASK 1 Describe in written form or orally the emergency source of electrical

power necessary for cargo ships, taking the passenger ships as a model. Except for
the periods of time that should be modified, what else should be changed, in your
opinion?

2.4. Vocabulary
accumulator battery ~ baterie de acumulatoare
alleyway ~ coridor
automatic sequential restarting ~ repornire automată secvenţială/ în trepte
impair ~ a defecta, a slăbi
call point ~ punct de adunare
cargo refrigeration machinery ~ mecanism de congelare a mărfii
circuit-breaker ~ întrerupător, ruptor
connection box ~ cutie de joncţiune
contiguous ~ adiacent
converting set ~ convertizor
daylight signaling lamp ~ semnalizare de zi
dead ship condition ~ navă oprită
discharge ~ descărcare
earthed neutral ~ nul
emergency bilge pump ~ pompă santină de avarie
emergency lighting switchboard ~ panou de iluminat de avarie
feedback operation ~ reacţie
fire door holding and release system ~ sistem de reţinere şi declanşare a uşilor
de incendiu
flashpoint ~ punct de imflamabilitate
fuse ~ siguranţă
generating set ~ set electrogenerator
18 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

heel ~ a se banda
hereinafter ~ după cum urmează
interconnector feeder ~ alimentare linie de interconexiune
isolating switch ~ secţionor, separator
lift cars ~ cabină de ascensor
mounted ~ montat
overloading ~ supraîncărcare
prime mover ~ motor primar
propulsion machinery shafting ~ axul mecanismului de propulsie
rating ~ caracteristică
remote controlled bilge valve ~ supapă a santinei controlată de la distanţă
self-contained emergency source ~ sursă independentă de avarie
ship’s whistle ~ sirena navei
sprinkler pump ~ pompă aspersor
stairways ~ scări
stall ~ a se opri motorul
supply ~ alimentare
switchboard ~ tablou de distribuţie
three-phase external supply ~ alimentare externă trifazată
transformer ~ transformator
voltage drop ~ cădere de tensiune

2.5. Engineering General Vocabulary

Exercise 1 Scan the table bellow and find materials which:
a. are conductive;
b. are corrosion-resistant;
c. are cheap;
d. are brittle;
e. are light;
f. are good insulators;
g. are used for electric purposes;
h. are used for ships and boats.

Materials Properties Uses

Metals
Aluminium Light, soft, ductile, highly Aircraft, engine
conductive, corrosion components, foil,
resistant. cooking utensils
Copper Very malleable, tough and Electric wiring, PCBs,
ductile, highly conductive, tubing
corrosion-resistant.
 Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 19

Brass (65% copper, Very corrosion- resistant. Valves, taps casting,

35% zinc) Casts well, easily ship fittings, electrical
machined. Can be work contacts
hardened. Good conductor.
Mild steel (iron with High strength, ductile, General purpose
0.15% to 0.3% carbon) tough, fairly malleable.
Cannot be hardened and
tempered. Low cost. Poor
corrosion resistance.
High carbon steel (iron Hardest of the carbon Cutting tools such as
with 0.7% to 1.4% steels but less ductile and drills, files, saws
carbon) malleable. Can be
hardened and tempered.
Thermoplastics
ABS High impact strength and Safety helmets, car
toughness, scratch- components, telephones,
resistant, light and durable. kitchenware
Acrylic Stiff, hard, very durable, Aircraft canopies, baths,
clear, can be polished double glazing
easily. Can be formed
easily.
Nylon Hard, tough, wear- Bearings, gears, casings
resistant, self-lubricating. for power tools
Thermosetting
plastics
Epoxy resin High strength when Adhesives,
reinforced, good chemical encapsulation of
and wear resistance. electronic components
Polyester resin Stiff, hard, brittle. Good Moulding, boat and car
chemical and heat bodies
resistance.
Urea formaldehyde Stiff, hard, strong, brittle, Electrical fittings,
heat-resistant, and good adhesives
electrical insulator.

Exercise 2 Scan the table to find:

a. A metal used for making engine components.
b. A material used for encapsulation of electronic components.
c. A plastic used for making safety helmets.
d. A metal suitable for a salt water environment.
e. A material that resists at high temperatures.
20 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

f. A material that can lubricate itself.

Exercise 3 Match the following verbs with the correct definition.

anneal to melt and then pour into a form;
anodize to make thin sheets of metal by passing it between large rollers;
electroplate to shape metals by heating and then hammering;
forge to make materials tough by cooling them slowly;
found to make something softer;
galvanize to heat and then cool metals to obtain the required hardness and
elasticity;
grind to cover with a thin layer of metal using electrolysis;
roll to protect from rusting by coating in zinc;
plate to give a metal a protective coat by using it as an anode in
electrolysis;
soften to polish or sharpen by rubbing on a surface;
temper to cover one metal with a thin layer of another

Exercise 4 Give examples of materials that undergo the processes in exercise 3.

Example: Iron components melt and are then poured into a form.

Exercise 5 Use the information in the table to make short texts about each
material (you can add information if you are aware of):
Example: Aluminum, which is light, soft, and ductile, is used to make aircraft,
engine components – for example, cylinder heads – and many items for the
kitchen, such as pots of all types.

2.6. Suffixes

a. Adjective suffixes
Noun/verb + suffix
- ous: dangerous; famous (fame); outrageous; furious (fury)
- al: political; industrial (industry); economical; brutal; legal
- y: dirty; oily; foggy
- ive: creative (to create); productive (to produce); active (act)

-able/ible is used to form many adjectives from nouns and verbs: enjoyable; comfortable;
knowledgeable; suitable etc. It can have the meaning ‘can be done’: washable; drinkable;
comprehensible; reliable; countable; recognizable etc.

Words ending in –able express the opposite meaning by adding the prefix un-:
undrinkable; unreliable; unbreakable; while words ending in –ible form the opposite
by adding the prefix in-: inflexible; inedible etc.
 Unit 2 Main and Emergency Sources of Electrical Power 21

-ful often means ‘full of’: careful; helpful; useful; thoughtful; forgetful
-less means ‘without’: careless; useless; thoughtless; harmless etc.
Not all the words that combine with -ful can combine with –less too, to form opposites.
For example homeless does not have the opposite homeful.

b. Verb suffixes
Adjective + suffixes
- ise: modernise; commercialise; industrialise; cristallise; vaporise (vapour)
- ify: beautify; purify; terrify; solidify; liquefy (liquid)
- en: shorten; widen; sharpen; weaken; lighten; lengthen (noun); harden; soften;
roughen etc

Word formation exercises

Exercise 1. Add the correct suffix: -able or –ible.

1. The food was ined… .
2. The coffee was undrink… .
3. My bed is very comfort… .
4. Her shoes were very unsuit… .
5. The film was very enjoy… .
6. My working hours are very flex… .
7. The buses are usually reli… .
8. The doctor’s writing was incomprehens… .
9. These cups are unbreak… .

Exercise 2. Complete the following dialogues with adjectives ending in –less.

1. A: Did you find the book useful?
B: No, it was completely ………
2. A: Did the injection hurt?
B: No, fortunately it was ……..
3. A: Has he got somewhere to live?
B: No, the poor man is ………..
4. A: That was a very silly mistake, wasn’t it?
B: Yes, it was………….of me – I wasn’t concentrating.
5. A: Dorothy never thinks about other people; she didn’t even phone to say
she wasn’t coming tonight.
B: Yes, I agree – she’s really quite …………

Exercise 3. Circle the correct word.

1. He can play ten musical/ music instruments.
2. It is an economic/ economical car to run: it can do 20 kilometers on a
litre of petrol.
3. I’m not sure if this sweater is washing/ washable or not.
22 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

4. My sister is very knowledgeable/ knowledge about gardening, but I’m

afraid I don’t know the first thing about it.
5. He’s the member of one of the extreme politic/ political parties, but I
can’t remember which.
6. People say that you have to be very created/ creative to be successful in
advertising.
7. I didn’t think it was a very attracted/ attractive place.

Exercise 4 Which four nouns below form adjectives with the suffix –ful?
pain help home thought fame care

Exercise 5 The words listed in the table below are nouns. What are the verb
forms of these nouns?

1. danger – to endanger 13. maintenance – ………………...

2. decision – …………………..
3. declaration – ………………..
4. pollution – …………..............
5. reduction – ………………….
6. improvement – ………………
7. management – ………………
8. information – ……………….
9. acceleration – ……………….
10. oil – …………………………
11. adjustment – ………………...
12. connection – ………………...
14. compression – ………………...
15. leakage – ……………………...
16. condensation – ………………..
17. insulation – …………………...
18. development – ………………...
19. inspection – …………………...
20. displacement – ………………..
21. injection – .......………………..
22. drainage – …………………….
23. ignition – ……………………...
24. erosion – ……………………...

Exercise 6 Choose ten verbs from exercise 5 and write a sentence below for
each one. Write the correct form of each verb in the column on the right and
leave gaps for the verbs in the sentences. Cover up the right-hand column and
give the sentences to another student as a test.

Example: The accident in the engine room endangered the whole ship.