MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813

1. A. State the necessary conditions required prior to the synchronizing of electrical alternators.
B. Describe the type of cumulative damage that may be caused when alternators are
incorrectly synchronised.
C. Explain how the damage referred to in B can be avoided / reduced.
D. For two alternators operating in parallel, state the consequences of:
(i) Reduced Torque from the prime mover of one machine
(ii) Reduced excitation on one machine
Answer MET Question 28 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813
2. Tank liquid level sensors are an integral part of ships. Describe with the aid of sketches the
working principle of:
(A) Capacitive type level sensor
Answer MET Question 18 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)
(B) Ultrasonic level sensor
Answer MET Question 18 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)
(C) Magnetic Float Type Level sensor
Answer MET Question 18 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)
(D) Air Bubble type Level Sensor

 Air Bubbler Level Sensor has a tube with an opening below the surface
of the liquid level. A fixed-rate airflow passes through the tube and out of
the opening. Pressure in the tube is proportional to the depth (and
density) of the liquid over the outlet of the tube.

 There are no moving parts associated with an air bubbler, which makes
them less maintenance-intensive than most other level measurement
methods. The only part of the sensor that contacts the liquid is a bubble
tube that would be specified at the design stage to be chemically
compatible with the material whose level is to be measured.
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813

 This method of level measurement is favorable in hazardous

areas because there are no electrical components in direct contact with
the liquid. The pump or compressor used in providing the stable air
supply can be located a distance away in a non-hazardous classified area.

 Air bubbler systems are a good choice for open tanks at atmospheric

pressure; they can be built so that high-pressure air is routed through a
bypass valve to dislodge solids that may clog the bubble tube. The
technique is inherently ‘self-cleaning’. It is highly recommended for liquid
level measurement applications where ultrasonic, float or microwave
techniques have proved undependable.
 Air bubbler systems are used in the fuel storage industry, albeit in small
numbers, but are being phased out in favour of the servo gauges and
radar systems. This is partly due to the specialist requirements for the
maintenance of these air bubbler systems. It is also partly due to the
measurement accuracy being in the order of ±10 mm. Therefore, air
bubblers are not considered to be as accurate as servo or radar gauges.
 Although named ‘air bubblers’ these systems are not limited to just
utilizing air. In fact, for gasoline and in-scope substance liquid
measurement it is commonplace to use nitrogen instead of air. This is the
preferred gas because, amongst other reasons, once it has bubbled
through the flammable stored liquid it settles above the surface,
providing a nitrogen blanket. This is important if the tank is open-topped
because it will help prevent flammable vapor from escaping.

Advantages and Disadvantages

 Air bubblers have a number of moving parts that require maintenance.
These parts include the valves that isolate the gas supply to the tank for
bubbling. In addition to the maintenance of the physical valve, there are
a number of electro-mechanical parts of the system which require
maintenance, for example, actuators to control the opening and closing
of the valves or compressors.
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813

 An advantage of the bubbler system, from a maintenance point of

view, is that the work required is not at the tank side, therefore reducing
the exposure time of the maintenance worker to the gasoline stored in
the tanks.
 There are a number of known issues with bubbler systems. Operational
problems can be encountered if a loss or reduction in bubbler pressure
occurs. This may result in either reduced accuracy in level measurement
or even total loss in measurement. From a legacy perspective, the
availability of replacement parts for this type of system is becoming an
issue because systems are going out of production with ‘last time buy’
component stocks depleting.

3. With reference to the use of electrical equipment in hazardous areas on ships, describe the
following in detail:
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813
A. Ex-d
 Flame proof enclosure Ex d Basic design is: enclosure is strong enough to withstand
internal explosion This design allows internal ignition sources, like sparks and (limited) hot
spots.
Critical aspects:
 Enclosure strength
 Flame path based on joints
 Pressure piling
 Heat-loss of built-in apparatus
 Entry devices
B. Ex-i
 Intrinsic Safety Ex i Basic design is: limitation of energy in the whole electrical circuit
 Energy [µJ] = ½ x C x U² = Capacity [µF] x Voltage² [V]
 Energy [µJ] = ½ x L x I² = Inductivity [mH] x Current² [mA]
 Intrinsic safe circuits are normally supplied from safe area and basically limiting the Voltage by
Zener diodes and the Current by a Resistor. Take into account maximum cable length because
of increasing C and L

C. Ex-p

 Pressurized enclosures Ex p Basic design is: keep dangerous atmosphere outside by

overpressure
Aspects:
 First a purging of ≥ 5 times the internal volume
 For EPL Gb redundant guarding of the flow required
 Then ’compensation of leak losses’ + power on
 For EPL Gb mandatory power off when pressure drops

D. Ex-q
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813
 Powder (quartz) filling Ex q Basic design is: extinguish any ignition source in a quartz filled
enclosure
Example:
 Mobile Computer
 Electronics in quartz Keyboard and
 Touch screen intrinsic safe controlled
Remarks:
 Combination with intrinsic safety
 X certificate = specific conditions of use

E. Ex-n
 Non Incendive Ex n (for EPL Gc only) Basic concept: Ex n consists of several sub types of
protection. In most cases being simplified versions of existing types of protection
 Ex nA non Arcing → becomes → Ex ec
 Ex nC enclosed Construction → becomes → Ex dc (or hermetically sealed) or → Ex mc
 Ex nR Restricted breathing
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813

5. What is soft starting of an induction motor? Describe with a circuit using thyristors used for soft
starting. Discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
Answer MET Question 34 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)

6. With respect to the High Voltage power system installation, explain the different types of circuit
breakers that are used, comparing their merits and de-merits. Describe the theory of arc
phenomenon and the mechanism fitted to mitigate the arc.
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813
Answer MET Question 1 (meoexamsmmd.blogspot.com)
MARINE ELECTRO – TECHNOLOGY PALANI SAMY MUTHU SELVAM – 13EL1813
8. An 18.65 KW, 6 pole, 50A Hz, 3 phase slip ring induction motor runs at 960 rpm on full load
with a rotor current per phase of 35 A, allowing 1 KW for mechanical losses, find the resistance
per phase of 3 phase winding.