Generalities :

According to the new amendments of the 1978 STCW code in 2010 at Manilla, there
are new requirements for engineers regarding the work on HV systems.
These new regulation are mandatory starting with 1st January 2017 and are recorded in
STCW sections A-III/1,2 ; A-III/6 and B-III/2
For SHIPS High Voltage is any
voltage equal or greater then
1 000 Volts.
 WHY HV
• REDUCE FULL LOAD CURRENT

• HENCE REDUCE SIZE OF CIRCUIT BREAKER

• REDUCE SIZE OF CONDUCTOR

• HEATING LOSES ARE REDUCED

• CURRENT REDUCED 15 TIMES MEANS, HEATING REDUCED 225 TIMES

ALLOWING REDUCTION IN SIZE OF CONDUCTOR.

• THEREFORE, CONDUCTOR SIZE CAN BE REDUCED TO A LARGE MARGIN

KEEPING THE HEATING EFFECT UNDER CONTROL.
• By generating electrical power at 440V from 1 megaWatt, 0.8 power factor diesel
generator set, each generator main cable and circuit breaker has to handle a full load
current of:

,which returns a current of:

• In a 6.6 kV system ,the current will be just 109 A in order to get the same
1MW power output.

DAY 1 / 0900-0950
• Also, the fault level at the main swboard would be reduced.
• In addition to the above, the power loss in an HV installation may be calculated by:

• Power loss is reduced if the voltage is stepped up and thus it is always efficient to
transmit power at a higher voltage.

• These are a few mayor reasons why vessels have shifted towards high voltage
systems

DAY 1 / 0900-0950
 General Power Systems

• Majority of merchant ships have a 3-phase 3

wire, 440 V insulated neutral earth power
systems
• This power system falls in the category of LV
and meets the power demands of medium
capacity motors up to 200 kW
• When large loads are connected to the LV system
the magnitude of current flow becomes too large
resulting in overheating due to high iron and
copper losses
• Copper Losses in electrical cables and machine
windings
• Hysteresis Loss in magnetic cores
• Eddy current loss in conductors and cores
• All these losses are current dependent and
rise to very high levels in LV machines for large
power ratings
 Benefits of H V Power Systems
• Ships with large electrical loads now operate at high voltage
of 3.3-14 kV
• Such high voltage reduces the magnitude of current and thus
lowers iron/copper/eddy current losses and also results in a
cooler motor operation
• Low current flow reduces conductors size and hence lowers
cost of electrical equipment
• Power transmission more efficient with low loss
• A 6 MW motor load at 440 V and 0.8 pf will require SB fault
level to be of 90 kA and cable full load current of 3300 A
• Same power system at 6.6 kV, needs SB fault level of only 9 kA
and cable full load current of 220 A
• Flexibility of power system layout
– Prime Mover-Generator units can be located at convenient location
away from the propellers
– Propulsion motor can be located at the astern below the water
surface
– This results in shorter shaft and reduced vibration

• Load Diversity
– A set of prime movers can meet the demand of propulsion as well
as ships electrical load
– Prime movers can be operated at economical speed at all times
– Propulsion load can be regulated to meet emergency electrical load
without adversely affecting the ships passage time
• Ease of Control
- With advancement in power electronics fine speed regulation of ac
motors has become common practice
 Typical Marine HV Systems
• 3.3 kV
• 6.6 kV
• 11 kV
Principal Components of HV System
• By generating electrical power at 6.6 kV instead of 440 V,
distribution and switching power about 6 MW becomes easy
• Main Generators
• HV Switch Board
• HV Cables
• HV Transformers
• HV Motors (2-12 MW)
 Typical HV Equipment Rating

• Main SB = 6.6 –11 kV, Bus Cap =1250A

• Cargo SB = 6.6 kV, Bus Cap =1250 A
• Ballast Pp Motor = 6.6 kV, 330 – 2000 kW
• HD Copm = 6.6 kV, 770 kW, 3560 rpm
• Bow Thrusters = 6.6 kV, 3 MW,
• Transformer = 3400 kVA, 6600/450 V
• Reefer Transformer = 6600/450 V,
Typical HV Power System
HV/LV Power Supply system
Propulsion Plant Layout
Propulsion Plant Layout
Concept of Electrical Propulsion
Typical Azipod Prime Mover
Azipod Drive Unit
 Disadvantages of HV systems :
• Higher insulation requirements for cables and
equipment
• High risk factor and the need to strict
adherence of safety procedures
𝐶𝑈 2
• 𝑊=
2
• Even if the circuit is disconnected from a HV
power supply you can still have storage energy
in the system
Coffee break (10’)
 Insulated and Earthed Neutral
• An insulated system is one that is totally
electrically insulated form ships hull (earth)
• An earthed system has the supply neutral
point connected to earth
• Ships LV systems are normally insulated
• HV systems are usually earthed via a NER or
high impedance transformer
Definitions

1. Additional earth
2. Approved
3. Authorised person (AP)
4. Caution notice
5. Circuit main earth (CME)
6. Competent
7. Danger notice
8. Dead
9. Earthed
10. High voltage (HV)
11. High voltage apparatus
12. Isolated
Definitions (cont.)

13. Key safe

14. Limitation of acces (LoA)
15. Live
16. Permit to work (PTW)
17. Safety lock
18. Sanction for test (SFT)
19. Designated person ashore (DPA)
 Live

• Electrically charged from a supply of

electricity.
 Dead

• At or about zero voltage and disconnected

from all sources of electrical energy.
 Isolated

• The disconnection and separation of the

electrical equipment from every source of
electrical energy in such a way that this
disconnection and separation is secure.
• ‘Secure’ means locked and tagged.
 High Voltage

• A voltage exceeding 1000 volts.

 High Voltage Apparatus

• Any apparatus, equipment or conductors

normally operated at a voltage higher than
1000 volts.
 Electrical Engineer

• A senior electrical engineer appointed in

writing by the Company to be responsible for
compilation and administration of these Rules.
• On a ship most likely the Chief Electrical
Engineer or Chief Engineer.
 Approved

• A type or form of equipment or document

sanctioned for use by the Electrical Engineer.
 Senior Authorised Person

• An authorised person appointed in writing by

the Electrical Engineer to carry out all grades
of duty permitted by these Rules.
 Authorised Person

• An authorised person appointed in writing by

the Electrical Engineer to carry out specific
grades of duty permitted by these Rules.
 Competent Person

• A person who has sufficient technical

knowledge or experience to enable him to
avoid danger.
• It is the duty of the Authorised Person issuing
work covered by these Rules to satisfy himself
that persons are competent to carry out the
work involved.
 Permit to Work

• A form of declaration signed and given by an

Authorised Person to a Competent Person in
charge of the work to be carried out on or in
close proximity to High Voltage Apparatus,
making known to him the extent of the work,
exactly what apparatus is Dead, is Isolated from
all Live conductors, has been discharged and
Earthed and, insofar as electrical hazards are
concerned, on which it is safe to work.
 Sanction for Test

• A form of declaration, signed and given by an

Authorised Person to another Authorised
Person in charge of testing High Voltage
Apparatus making known to the recipient
what apparatus is to be tested and the
conditions under which the testing is to be
carried out.
 Limitation of Access

• A form issued by an Authorised Person to a

Competent Person, defining the limits of the
work to be carried out in the vicinity of, but
not on High Voltage electrical apparatus.
 Isolation Certificate

● A form issued by an Authorised Person to a person

requesting the isolation of High Voltage electrical
apparatus for non-electrical work which does not
require the issue of a Permit to Work or Sanction for
Test, but may require the additional issue of a
Limitation of Access Instruction.

The certificate makes known the reasons for the

isolation and the manner in which it is safely
implemented.
 Caution Notice

• A notice conveying a warning against

interference with the apparatus to which it is
attached.
 Danger Notice

• A notice calling attention to the danger of

approach or interference with the apparatus
to which it is attached.
 Circuit Main Earth

• An earth connection applied for the purpose

of making apparatus safe to work and
nominated on Permit to Work or Sanction for
Test .
 Additional Earth

• An earth connection applied to apparatus

after the application of a Circuit Main Earth,
normally applied at the point of work if not
already fitted with a Circuit Main Earth.
 Earthed

• Connected to the general mass of earth in

such a manner as will ensure at all times an
immediate discharge of electrical energy
without danger.
 Key safe

• A device for the secure retention of keys used

to lock means of isolation, earthing or other
safety devices.
 ISOLO

KEY
A.P.

KEY 56
RECIPIENT

56

KEY SAFE 21 KEY

UNIQUE
LOCKS

KEY SAFE I.P. LOCK

 Safety lock

• A lock used to secure points of isolation,

safety devices and circuit earths, being unique
from any other locks used on the system.
Coffee break (10’)
Conclusions Day 1
Conclusions Day 1