Electrical Survey:

Minimum preparation procedures to be carried out on board ship in anticipation of an

electrical survey

The International Maritime Organization and the International Electrotechnical convention

have several codes and regulations relating to safe electrical practice these must be studied
and adhered to when carrying out any work on marine electrical systems .

There are many system variations around so it is most important that you become familiar
with the components of the electrical system and the layout of the main switchboard
immediately you join a ship.

Pay particular attention to the layout of the emergency switchboard. This study will pay
dividends during a blackout or when troubleshooting the cause of a major breakdown.

We must emphasize Electrical Safety.

 The golden rule is before any work is done on an electrical installation first isolate the
circuit by removing the supply fuses or locking the circuit breaker in the open
position so that the circuit cannot be energized accidentally.

 Then post a warning sign to alert others that the circuit is being worked on.

 Then prove the circuit dead with a voltmeter or an approved line tester.

 A switchboard can never be considered dead unless all AC generators connected to

it are stopped locked off and all other supplies are disconnected.

 First prepare a complete list of all insulation resistance reading or AC generators

motor power and light circuits and main feeder cables with special attention to
cables in hazardous areas.
 When you take insulation resistance readings of AC generator windings this should
be done when the AC generator is still hot after running on load.

 A reading of 1 megohm is an acceptable value for a 440 volt AC generator winding.

 For the lower voltage rotor winding this can be not 0.5 Megaohm.

 Clean all AC generator windings and check your instruments and controls for AC
generator synchronizing.

 The survey will require that the AC generators respond correctly to controls and load
changes and that they show a stable operation when running in parallel.

 Test the automatic start-up system for the emergency AC generator ensuring that the
system is operational within the regulation 45 seconds after a mains failure.

 Connect the emergency AC generator to the switchboard with a load such as the
motor for a firefighting pump.

 When you're ready to connect the AC generator to the emergency switchboard do

remember that the AC generator breaker cannot be closed until the tie breaker from
the main switchboard is opened.

 Check that the board is dead

 Then check all internal connections in the main as well as in the emergency
switchboard ensuring that all connections are clean and dry.

 Any connections which do not prove tight enough must be remade and rechecked.
 All main busbar and auxiliary connections throughout the boards should be checked
for loose joints.

 Bus bar supports should be examined for surface tracking and possible damage to
the insulation material.

 Check that all circuit breakers will pass a visual test paying particular attention to the
condition of main arcing and auxiliary contacts.

 All internal wiring must be sound and the mechanical linkage is free of wear and
stress.

 Arc chutes must be clean free of arc debris and correctly aligned.

 Look for signs of wear misalignment or overheating.

 Check the reverse power relay and the preferential trip relay for correct timing and
operation.

 Consult the ship's manual for correct settings.

 Check and clean all starters as the surveyor will probably conduct spot checks on
starters.

 He will look for badly burned or misaligned contacts loose connections worn pigtails
on moving contacts and signs of overheating on coils transformers and resistors.

 Check that all motor stator windings are clean and dry the surveyor may take one or
two ventilating grids off to inspect the windings for cleanliness and dryness.

 This applies particularly to drip proof weather proof and deck watertight enclosures.
 The surveyor will want to look for the ingress of water or oil.

 Check and test the steering gear over current alarms as these do not trip the system
but merely warn if over current conditions arise .

 Check all main and alternative electric supplies including the changeover switching
for electric control from the bridge and for autopilot.

 Check the rudder position Indicator.

 Check the emergency battery condition and ensure that the charger functions
efficiently.

 The battery tops must be clean with no corrosion of the terminals and connections.

 The battery electrolyte should be at its correct level and have the proper value of
specific gravity checked by a hydrometer .

 Check the navigation light panel and prove the alarm system to be working the
surveyor may remove a fuse to check if the appropriate alarm is operating correctly.

 Check all exterior light fittings replace any burned-out lamps.

 On exterior floodlight fittings check the flexible cable connections for any sign of
damage to the cable insulation.

 Any temporary cabling which is to be in use for some time has to be made
permanent.

 The cables must be laid and clipped safely and securely in the appropriate support
trays.
  Remember that cables for intrinsically safe circuitry must be laid separately from
others of different classification and clearly marked as such.

 If your ship is classified for unattended machinery space we so called UMS operation
the electrical survey will be extended to include all alarms fire detection controls and
failsafe installations.

 All alarms associated with the main engine auxiliary machines lubrication and
cooling are to be tested for correct function by operating the sensor switches by
hand or simulating the switch action under the expected alarm conditions.

 The duplicate bilge level alarms must be proved to work to the satisfaction of the
surveyor.

 Check that all required electrical spares are available for inspection in the electrical
spare store. They must be correctly stored and in good condition.

Electrical Survey

Electrical equipment inspected and tested, during complete engine survey, at 4 years interval.

Such a survey is prescribed, under the rules and regulations for the classification of ship.

Following survey items generally apply to all ships:

 Generators and governors.

 Circuit breakers
 Switchboard and fittings (main and emergency switchboard, distributor switchboard).
 Cables
 Insulation resistance
 Motors and Starters
 Emergency power equipment
 Parts of steering gear
  Navigation light indicator

For UMS operation:

 Alarms associated with ME, AE, lubricating and cooling, tested for correct operation.
 Electrical circuits from various sensors such as pressure stat, flow switch, level switch,
temperature switch, tested.
 Action of auto-shut down for ME and AE, auto-starting up of stand-by units, tested.
 Auto-starting of emergency generator, demonstrated.
 UMS requirements demand that a stand-by main generator should be automatically started
on loss of duty generator within 45 sec.
 Bilge level alarm together with automatic bilge pumping, proved to correct action.
 Main and stand-by electric power supply to overall alarms and monitoring system inspected
and tested.
 Complete inspection and test of fire detection and alarm system.
 ME control will function correctly and tested from bridge position, main control room and
emergency position alongside the engine.

For Tankers / Gas Carrier:

 Electrical equipment in hazardous area is surveyed every year, during each Docking Survey
and Annual Survey.
 Alternator Survey:
 Required conditions for Surveyor:
 Main and emergency generators are cleaned.
 Show stable operation when run in parallel with other generator.
 Generator windings on stator and rotor must be free of dust, rust, oil and moisture.
 Visual check made for any obvious deterioration, abrasion, and cracking of insulation around
winding coils in stator.
 The insulation test to earth and between stator phase windings is done while the machine is
still hot after running on load.
 Air gap between stator and rotor checked to ensure that pedestal bearings are in good
condition.

Main Switchboard Survey:

 Thorough cleaning internally and externally at switchboard, when all generators are stopped
and their prime movers locked off.
 Main bus bar and their connections checked for tightness.
 Bus bar supports, checked for damage due to insulation material.
 Overheating signs at connection junctions, due to loose joint.
 Internal wiring securely fixed.
 Cable entries at switchboard bottom, sealed with non-flammable material.
 Earth bar, securely bonded to both frame and to the ship’s hull.
 Hinged panel door bonded with an earth strap to main switchboard frame.
 Insulation resistance of each terminal measured.
 Voltmeters, Watt meters and Ammeters calibrated and tested.
  All trips tested [Safety devices].
 Synchronising test [load sharing] demonstrated.
 Earth lamps checked.
 Automatic circuit breaker (ACB) and Automatic voltage regulator (AVR) tested.

Emergency Power and Associated Equipment Survey:

 Emergency generator started manually and automatically.

 Electrical supplies from emergency switchboard, checked for their proper voltage, ampere
and frequency.
 Correct functioning of emergency lighting, fire pump, and other electrical equipment.
 Electrical interlocking arrangement between main and emergency switchboard checked.
 Emergency battery installation and its charging rectifier checked.
 Keep battery environment dry and well ventilated, battery tops cleaned, electrolyte at
proper level and have correct value of specific gravity by checking with hydrometer.
 Battery charging equipment checked for dirt, overheating, loose connection and correct
functioning of indicator instruments.
 Battery locker ventilation arrangements should be checked.

Insulation Resistance Survey:

 Survey will require a list, which shows the results of recent insulation tests on all 440V and
220V main circuits.
 The list should also indicate the test date, weather condition, hot or humid etc. together
with any comment relevant to the test conditions such as machine is hot or cold.

Navigation light indicator survey:

 Surveyor will ensure that Navigation light indicator operates correctly and has appropriate
alarm.
 Broken wire or lamp can be simulated by pulling appropriate fuse.
 Power source for navigation lights must be duplicated [usually alternate power supply being
used from Emergency Switchboard].
 Changeover facility for power source, to be checked.
 Although the actual light fitting for Navigation is part of Safety Equipment Survey, the
Electrical Survey will naturally include a check on the supply cables to the Navigation lights.