Shipboard Electrical Equipment
Shipboard Electrical Equipment
Shipboard Electrical Equipment
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY
Some materials will conduct electricity, and
some offer more resistance than others. Metals
such as silver, copper, aluminum, and iron offer
little resistance and are called conductors. In
contrast to conductors, some materials such as
wood, paper, porcelain, rubber, mica, and plastics
offer high resistance to an electric current and are
known as insulators. Electric circuits throughout
the ship are made of copper wires covered
with rubber or some other insulator. The wire
conductors offer little resistance to the current,
while the insulation keeps the current from passing
to the steel structure of the ship.
Definite units have been established so we can
measure the electrical properties of conductors.
Also, there are terms used to describe the
characteristics of electric currents. A brief review
of these fundamentals is given in the following
sections.
RESISTANCE
Electrical resistance (R) is that property of an
electric circuit that opposes the flow of current.
The unit of resistance is known as the ohm (S2).
WATT
Power (P) is the rate of doing work. In a dc
circuit, power is equal to the product of the
current times the voltage, or P = I x E. The
practical unit of power is the watt (W) or kilowatt
(kW) (1,000 watts). Power in an ac circuit is
computed in a slightly different way. If you are
interested in how ac power is computed, see
chapter 4 of Introduction to Alternating Current
and Transformers, NAVEDTRA 172-02-00-85.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
The flow of current through a wire can be
compared to the flow of water through a pipe.
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AC GENERATORS
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DIESEL-DRIVEN GENERATORS
Practically all Navy ships are equipped with
diesel-driven emergency generators. Diesel engines
are particularly suited for this application because
of their quick starting ability. Emergency
generators furnish power directly to the radio,
radar, gunnery, and vital machinery equipment
through an emergency switchboard and automatic
bus transfer equipment.
The typical shipboard plant consists of two
diesel emergency generators, one forward and one
aft, in spaces outside engine rooms and firerooms.
Each emergency generator has its own switchboard and switching arrangement. This controls
the generator and distributes power to certain
vital auxiliaries and a minimum number of
lighting fixtures in vital spaces.
The capacity of the emergency units varies
with the size of the ship. Regardless of the size
of the installation, the principle of operation is
the same.
You may obtain detailed information concerning the operation of diesel-driven generators
from appropriate manufacturers technical
manuals.
MOTOR GENERATORS
Aboard Navy ships, certain weapons, interior
communications, and other electronics systems
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SHIPBOARD POWER
DISTRIBUTION
Most ac power distribution systems in naval
ships are 450-volt, three-phase, 60-Hz, three-wire
systems. The ships service generator and
distribution switchboards are interconnected by
bus ties. This arrangement makes it possible to
connect any switchboard to feed power from its
generators to one or more of the other switchboards. The bus ties also connect two or more
switchboards so that the generator plants can be
operated in parallel. In large installations (fig.
12-7), distribution to loads is from the generator
and distribution switchboards or switchgear
groups to load centers, distribution panels, and
the loads, or directly from the load centers to
some loads.
COMPONENTS OF A SWITCHBOARD
Each switchboard includes one or more units,
such as a bus tie unit, a power distribution unit,
lighting distribution units or transformers, and
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Figure 12-7.
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ELECTRIC MOTORS
Circuit Breakers
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MOTOR CONTROLLERS
Controlling devices are used to start, stop,
speed up, or slow down motors. In general,
these controllers are standard equipment aboard
ship and are operated either manually, semiautomatically, or automatically. They are dripproof and shock resistant. In some installations,
the controllers are operated by remote control,
with the switch at a convenient location.
Motor control devices (controllers, master
switches, and electric brakes) protect the equipment to which they are connected. Controllers
provide protective and governing features for
every type of shipboard auxiliary. Various
types of master switches are used to govern the
PORTABLE ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT
Aboard ship, you will perform many jobs
using small, portable electrical tools. Because
portable electrical tools are commonly used under
a variety of conditions, they are subject to damage
and abuse.
The Navy has a good electrical tool safety
program. This program is carried out by qualified
EMs. However, EMs can only make safety checks
on tools that are brought to their attention.
Electrical handtools should be inspected before
each use to make sure the power cord is not nicked
or cut, and the plug is connected properly.
Electrical handtools should be turned in to the
electricians as prescribed by the electrical safety
program.
BATTERIES
BATTLE LANTERNS
Relay-operated hand lanterns (fig. 12-11, view
A), usually called battle lanterns, are powered by
dry-cell batteries. Hand lanterns are provided to
give emergency light when the ships service and
emergency/alternate lighting systems fail. These
lanterns are placed in spaces where continual
illumination is necessary, such as machinery
spaces, control rooms, essential watch stations,
battle dressing stations, and escape hatches. All
auxiliary machinery with gauge boards should be
provided with a battle lantern to illuminate the
gauge board in the event of a casualty. The
battle lantern should not be removed from its
mounting bracket except in an emergency. Do not
use it as a flashlight in nonemergency situations.
The relay control boxes for battle lanterns are
connected to the emergency lighting supply
circuit (or to the ships service lighting circuit) in
which the lantern is installed. If power in the
circuit fails, the relay opens and the batteries
energize the lantern.
Relay-operated battle lanterns are capable of
operating for a minimum of 10 hours before the
light output ceases to be useful.
Similar hand lanterns (fig. 12-11, view B),
which are not connected to relays, are installed
throughout the ship to provide light in stations
WARNING
Flames or sparks of any kind, including
lighted cigarettes, should never be allowed
in the vicinity of any storage battery that
is being charged.
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77.47
Figure 12-11.Special lights.
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SHIPBOARD ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS AND CONNECTIONS
As a Fireman, you should be familiar with the
power and lighting distribution systems, and shore
power connections. You will find greater detail
on this and other shipboard electrical equipment
in chapter 320, Naval Ships Technical Manual.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
Observe and follow all pertinent instructions and electric warning signs aboard
ship.
Observe all safety precautions regarding
portable electric lights and tools. (Use
rubber gloves and goggles.)
Remember, 120-volt electricity is very
dangerous, especially aboard ship.
Do not touch or operate any device that
has a danger or caution tag attached to it
without first contacting the EOOW.
Do not go behind electrical switchboards.
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SUMMARY
This chapter has introduced you to shipboard
electrical equipment and systems. It has given
you information about electricity, generators,
shipboard power distributions, electric motors,
controllers, batteries, port able electrical equipment, shipboard electrical systems and connections, and electrical safety precautions. You
should pay particular attention to the safety
precautions that have been included within this
chapter and in all other chapters. Even though
electricity has made our lives easier, it can kill you
in an instant if it is not used properly.
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