What is shaft generator ?

It is an alternator driven by main propulsion unit through clutch and gearing to produce
electricity.

It can be used while vessel at sea running with a sea speed.

It must be able to supply normal sea load.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shaft generator on ships ?

Advantages

Slightly reduce total fuel consumption.

Reduced running hours of auxiliary generator.

Reduced noise in E/R.

Can made overhauling the G/E at sea.

Disadvantages

Cannot be used at rough sea.

Increase load on main engine

More complicated mechanism.

Complete black on main engine slow down.

What is earthing device on propeller shaft ?

It is a propeller shaft grounding device.

Its function is to ground the static electricity to the ship hull caused by propeller rotation.
What is earth lamp ? How will you know when earth fault occur and how to trace it ?

It is a set of lamps, which show the presence of earth fault in distribution system.

Each lamp is connected between one phase and common neutral point.

If earth fault occurs the lamp will show dim light or goes out because potential is zero.

The location of fault can be traced by switching off the individual branch circuit breaker and
check the condition of earth lamp.

When the branch circuit with the fault is switched off, the earth lamp will return to normal
brightness.

Explain earth lamps of a 3 phase, 3 wire ac system ?

Each lamp is connected to secondary connections of each single phase step-down transformer,
and primary connections are common to star point, which is earthed to ship structure.

Normally 3 earth lamps burn with equal brightness if there is not fault

If phase ‘R’ is earth fault, lamp ‘R’ becomes dark while the other two lamps burn with extra
brightness

Location of fault can be traced, by switching off the branch circuit, one at a time

When branch circuit with fault is switched off, dark lamp will become normal glow and all 3
lamps burn with equal brightness.

Why earth lamp is fitted ?

Earth lamp is fitted to give visual signal when there is an earth fault occurs in the system.

What is megger insulation test ?

The instrument used for measuring high resistance in million of ohms. It is used for measuring
the insulation resistance of cables, electrical equipment wiring insulation.
Why megger reading is taken ?

To verify insulation resistance

To detect insulation fault

Write a note on meggar testing ?

Megger tester [generally a 500V set] is used for measuring high resistance, like insulation
resistance of cable, electrical equipment and wire installation in mega ohms.

The test voltage is produce either by an internal hand driven generator or by a battery and
electronic voltage changer.

A measurement of the insulation resistance gives one of the best guides to the state of health
of electrical equipment.

The resistance should be measured between insulated conductors and earth, and between
conductors.

To get more accurate results, using the large instrument, it is important that the terminal
marked earth, which is the + ve pole, shall be connected to the earth.

For AC machines measurements are done as phase to phase, phase to earth and rotor winding
to earth.

For DC machines measurements are done as pole to pole, each pole to earth, field to earth
and armature to earth.

How insulation resistance of a motor is tested ?

Switch off power from main switchboard

Take out the fuse

Tag the label on the switch board, Don’t start

Disconnect the connection from starter

Test with megger

Insulation Resistance is tested while at hot condition because it is minimum at that time
Difference between earthed and short circuit ?

Earthed

A fault in an electric circuit where a conductor come into contact with the ship hull or a metal
enclosure. ( leakage of conductor due to insulation failure to ground.)

Short circuit

A fault condition where a low resistance connection occurs between two points in a circuit, a
large current flow will usually occurs. (contact to each other or leakage of line conductor or
leakage of line to neutral.)

What are switchboard safety devices ?

Overload trip

Preferential trip

Under voltage trip

Over voltage trip

Reverse power relay (No voltage trip)

Reverse current trip

Fuse

A .C .B( Air circuit breaker )

Earth lamps.

Low frequency trip

Meters

Synchroscope

Emergency synchronizing lamp

Ebonite handrail and Rubber footstep

What is switch board survey ?

Performed during dry-docking. (G.E black out)

Check volt meter, ammeter, watt meter all calibrators and accuracy.

Check all trips over current trip, reverse power trip, preferential trip.

Synchronizing test. (load sharing test)

Switch inside each terminal to be checked for insulation resistance min: 1Mega ohms, all
contact must be clean.

Tightness of loose joint and connection, bus bar support, fuse holder.

Check automatic circuit breaker A.C.B and automatic voltage regulator A.V.R.

Earth detecting lamp and alarm system.

What are the meters fitted on main switchboard ?

Ammeter

Voltmeter

Wattmeter

Frequency meter

Ohm meter

Synchroscope.

What is essential load ?

 Essential services are those required for the safety of personal and for the safe
navigation and propulsion of the ship.
  They include certain supplies to navigation aids, machinery spaces, control stations and
steering gear.

What is non-essential load ?

 It is a load that has no effects on the safe navigation and main propulsion unit when
they are cut off.

 They are air conditioning system, some blower fan except E/R blowers, galley power,
refrigerated cargo plant, deck equipment, purifier, air compressor, cabin power source
except lighting

What is dash pot, where fitted ?

 It is a mechanical device which makes time lag of trip with different viscosity of oil.

 It is fitted in overload trip, preferential trip, under voltage release / trip

What is dash pot ?

 Dashpots are fitted for overload trip to get time delay action, so that breaker will not
be opened, due to momentary current surge

 When load current is in excess, it attracts plunger of the solenoid

 Plunger or piston moves up against the displacement of viscose oil or silicone fluid,
through a small hole on the piston

 Time lag depends upon hole size, and viscosity of oil

 Load current setting for trip is about 25% above maximum, but should not exceed 50%

What is preferential trip ?

 It is a generator protection device which is designed to disconnect nonessential load

from the main switchboard in the event of generator over load or partial failure of the
supply.

 Operate after a fixed time delay, causing non-essential loads to be shed

 Usual setting for overload trip is 150% load (50% overload)

 When generator load reaches 110%, preferential Trip comes into operation as follows

First tripping at 5 sec

  Shut down non-essential loads (air-condition, entertainment, accommodation fans,
cargo hold fans, amplifiers, etc.) to reduce the generator load

Second tripping at 10 sec

 Shut down essential loads (service required for running the ship properly, leaving the
loads of top priority services to maintain propulsion and navigation) if generator load is
still high

Third tripping at 15 sec

 Shut down the main generator as last action, if the load is still too high, it may be due
to short circuit or insulation breaking.

What is the purpose of reverse power relay ?

 If prime mover failure occurred, the generator would act as a motor; the reverse power
relay detects this fault and acts to trip the generator circuit breaker.

What is fuse ?

 Fuse is a protecting device in the circuit against damage from excessive current.

 It is fitted in a circuit to protect the circuit from short circuit and over load.

 Once a fuse is blown, it must be replaced.

Difference between Circuit Breaker and Fuse ?

Circuit breaker

1. Has switching actions to close the circuit or to open the circuit, and has a trip circuit if
load current exceeds the set value

2. After tripping, circuit breaker can be reused without replacing any part

Fuse

1. Have only breaking function, and fitted in the circuit to protect the circuit from
damaging effect of high current flow

2. It breaks the circuit by melting the fuse metal itself

3. After breaking, the blown fuse must be renewed

 What is an intrinsically safe circuit or equipment ?

 1. An electrical circuit or part of a circuit is intrinsically safe, if any spark or thermal
effect produced normally (e.g. by breaking or closing the circuit) or accidentally (e.g. by
short circuit or earth fault), is incapable of igniting a prescribed gas mixture, under
prescribed test condition.

2. An equipment, which cannot released sufficient electrical or thermal energy, under

any condition to ignite a particular flammable vapour in its vicinity.

 What is primary cell ?

 It is a chemical cell in which it is possible to transform chemical energy into electrical

energy.

 It cannot be recharged.

 The internal resistance of a primary cell is usually high

 Capacity of cell low

 Voltage per cell is also low

 Simple cell consists of copper plate (positive plate) and zinc plate ( negative
electrode) and dilute H2 SO4 acid.

What is secondary cell ?

 It is a chemical cell (accumulator) which store up electric energy converting

chemical substance into another form while charging.

 The stored electric charge in chemical form transforms back electrical energy.

 It has two types [lead acid and alkaline (Nickel Cadmium battery) type].

 It has low internal resistance

 Capacity and voltage per cell is high. 

Inspection and Maintenance of Battery Room

Battery installation and its charging rectifier checked.

Battery room environment must be dry and well ventilated.

Battery tops shall be clean and dry, and terminal nuts must be tight and a smear of
petroleum jelly applied to prevent corrosion.

Electrolyte at proper level, and shall have correct value of specific gravity by checking
with a hydrometer.

Rubber gloves and goggles used when handling electrolyte.

Charging equipment checked for dirt, overheating, loose connection and correct
functioning of indicators.

Ventilation arrangement for battery locker checked. Battery installation of both lead
acid and alkaline needs good ventilation.

Since both type generates hydrogen gas during charging, no smoking and naked light
allowed.

Steel works and decks adjacent to lead acid battery, should be painted with acid proof
paint. [For Cad-Ni cell, alkaline resistance paints].

Battery Room Safety Arrangement

Safety is provided by

Proper ventilation

Prevention of heat source for ignition

Ventilation

Independent exhaust fan provided

Inlet duct should be below battery level, and outlet at top of the compartment

Prevention of heat source for ignition

No naked light and no smoking

Uses of externally fitted light or flameproof light

Cables of adequate size and they are well connected

Never place Emergency Switchboard in this room

Use insulated spanner and plastic jug for distilled water, to prevent short circuit

Room temperature, maintained at 15 ~ 25 °C

Nickel Cadmium battery [alkaline battery]

+ ve plate is Nickel hydroxide + graphite

– ve plate is Cadmium + Iron

Electrolyte is Potasssium hydroxide solution (strong alkaline)

Normal specific gravity [1.21] does not change with charging or recharging

But specific gravity of electrolyte gradually decrease, and electrolyte should be renewed
when specific gravity becomes [1.160]

It is a sealed battery, thus no gassing during charging

Very low open circuit losses, but requires 67% more cells than Lead Acid battery [1.2 V
per cell and when fully charged 1.7 V per cell]

Not harmful when overcharged

Left for long period, either fully charged or fully discharged, without deterioration

Better mechanical strength and durability than lead acid battery

High initial cost but longer life

Lead Acid Battery

+ ve plate is Lead Peroxide [chocolate brown]

– ve plate is Spongy Lead [slate gray colour]

Electrolyte is H2SO4 , specific gravity 1.8 when fully charged, renew when specific
gravity is 1.110.

1.8 V per cell when fully charged 2 V per cell

When undercharge, + ve plates are pale brown or yellowish, instead of deep chocolate
and very difficult to convert back to normal form

Efficiency (watt hour efficiency) is higher than Alkaline Cells

How do you know when the battery is full charge ?

It can be known by measuring the electrolyte specific gravity by using hydrometer.

If fully charge it has a specific gravity of about (1.27 – 1.285), hydrometer scale 1270 to
1285

If fully discharge which fall to a specific gravity of 1.1 (1100)

How can you know battery is over charge ? Effect of overcharge ?

When battery is overcharged bubbles will form at the surface, the current flowing into
the cell causes breakdown or electrolysis of water in the electrolyte.

Both hydrogen and oxygen are evolved and released through cell vent caps into the
battery compartment.

There is an explosion risk if hydrogen is allowed to accumulate. (4% of H2 in air).

What happens when lead acid battery is overcharged ?

Overheating cause buckling of plates

Internal short circuit

Sludge formed at the bottom of cells (lead peroxide)

Battery may be ruined

Lower the capacity

 What happens when lead acid battery is undercharged ?

Over discharging

+ ve plates are pale brown or yellowish, instead of deep chocolate

– ve plates, almost white colour

Falling of voltage 1.8 V / cell, and specific gravity of H2SO4 1.15

Depolarisation

Liberation of hydrogen ions at – ve electrode (cathode) and that will decrease the
current flow.

Why AC is popular on board ship ?

1. Smaller, lighter and compact machine size, for a given kW

2. High power and high voltage AC generator can be easily manufactured

3. Voltage can be raised or lowered by transformer

4. AC can be easily converted to DC

Precautions while working on electrical machinery ?

1. Switch off the main switch

2. Out mechanical lock on 

3. Take out fuse

4. Put a signboard “Man Working on Line”

What is AVR ?
 A.V.R  or Automatic Voltage Regulators are used in conjunction with generator for
controlling the terminal voltage to give a steady voltage under varying load.

 It senses and controls an A.C generator’s output voltage within (+ or -) 1 to 2%.

What are the types of A.V. R ?

 Carbon pile regulator

 Vibrating contact regulator

 Static A.V. R.

 Rotating sector

 Multi contact

 Magnetic amplifier

 Electronic amplifier

Procedure for alternator overhaul ?

1. Shut down the generator prime mover and lock off the starting system.

2. Lock off the circuit breaker and isolated the alternator electric heater. Tag the label on
the switchboard.

1. Inspect the tightness of terminal connection and insulation.

2. Check the bearing oil level and condition.

3. Clean the cooling air intake filter and exhaust opening.

4. Clean the rotor and stator windings by means of vacuum cleaner with rubber hose and
nozzle.

5. If the oil is deposited on the surface of winding, open the drain plug and then removed
by special degreasing liquids. (Electro cleaner)
 6. Measure the air gap clearance between rotor and stator. (Carefully at lower part)

7. Baking the alternator with lamp. Keep a temp not more than 43°C

8. Disconnect the neutral point from the terminal box.

9. Measure insulation resistance between – rotor to earth, phase to earth, stator to

earth, phase to phase

10.It is must at least one mega-ohm, if mega reading has reasonable value, the windings
are to be covered with high quality air drying insulation varnish.

  After maintenance work

 Reassemble all necessary parts. 

 Check no load running, the synchronizing and loading.

 On load, practically check for excessive temperature rises and load sharing
stability when running in parallel.

How do you monitor the correct instant for synchronizing without the aid of synchroscope or
synchronizing lamps ?

1. It can be synchronized with 500V voltmeter as follow.

2. Connect a pair of 500V voltmeter probes across the one phase of the incoming machine
circuit breaker and bus bar.

3. Adjust the generator speed until the voltmeter slowly fluctuates from zero to maximum.

4. Close the breaker when the voltmeter passes through zero.

Can you parallel the load of main G/E with emergency G/E and shore supply ?

 It cannot paralleled, circuit breaker interlocks are arranged in this system.

What are the generator safety devices ?

1. Over speed trip

2. L.O low pressure trip and alarm

3. F.O low pressure alarm

 4. Jacket water high temperature alarm

5. Jacket water high temperature trip

6. Thermometer

7. Pressure gauge

8. L.O high temperature alarm

9. Dip stick

10.Crankcase relief valve

What are AC motor overloads protections ?

1. Magnetic overload relay

2. Thermal overload relay

3. Built-in protective device

Causes of motor overheat ?

 Motor running at overload

 One phase failure (single phasing)

 Defective cooling fan blades

 Bearing failure

 Poor ventilation 

 Misalignment 

When phase failure occur, A.C motor run or not ?

 When motor is running, the motor keep on running but over load and over heat will
occur.

 When motor is starting, the motor cannot run.

What is residual magnetism ?

 1. Magnetism remaining in the fields of a generator, after exciting current is cut off.

2. Residual magnetism is essential for initial generation of current, necessary for further
build up of shunt field strength.

3. Generator may fail to excite, if there is loss or reversal of residual magnetism of the
pole.

What action, when generator fails to excite ?

1. Pass a current through shunt field coil in correct direction

2. Correct direction means the current will re-magnetise the iron core in the right way

3. Current for restoration can be obtained from another DC generator or from a battery.

4. If battery is used fro re-magnetising: A 12 V battery is connected [exclusively] across

shunt field coil with the machine stopped

5. Current flow in right direction, for a few seconds, only will establish the field.

6. During this time faulty generator must be in stopped position.

What are windlass safety devices ?

 Emergency stop

 Overload trip

 Over speed trip

 Mechanical break

 Slipping clutch for over load, to prevent any undesirable damage such as hull damage
due to anchor and rope brake out.

Test for over current trip ?

By injecting current with injectors 

Test for Reverse Power Trip ?

By reducing frequency
What is Ward Leonard System ?

1. Used for fine control of shunt motor speed from zero to full in either direction

2. Able to give the motor a robust torque characteristic

1. Can be used for motors of electric steering gears of ships with DC power

2. Used on ships with AC power for deck machinery such as windlass, mooring winch etc.

3. Working motor, which powers the steering gear, windlass or other equipment is a
DC machine, because speed control of these made easy

How Ward Leonard System works ?

1. A DC generator is driven by AC squirrel cage induction motor.

2. Output voltage of DC generator is applied as power supply to armature of working

motor.

3. Speed and direction of working motor varies with magnitude and direction of applied
voltage

4. Output voltage of DC generator is increased or decreased by Potentiometer, as

magnetic field strength is altered by changing the field current to field windings of the
generator

5. As output voltage of the generator varies, speed of the working motor also varies

6. Change of current flow direction, also by Potentiometer, through the field poles of
the generator will cause the change in direction of generated current, supplied to the
working motor and thereby also the running direction of the motor

How to control speed of AC motor ?

Adjusting number of poles by means of selector switch.

What are motor earthing symptoms ?

 440V, low insulation alarm

 Earth lamp signal

What are the effects of motor earthing ?

 Over heat

 Burn out

 Get the smell

 Noisy

Specifications of fuses on ships ?

 Amperage of the circuit (AC/DC)

 Type of fuse wire (Tin or lead wire)

 Standard Wire Gauge (SWG)

Specifications of battery on ships ?

1. Voltage

2. Ampere/hour

3. Size

4. Type (Lead Acid or Alkaline)