Emergency Generator on Ships – Marine Engineering

It is a small separate generator which supplies the electric power for emergency load in the event of main power supply failure.
It is located outside the main and auxiliary machinery space and not forward of the collusion bulkhead.
It has own switchboard near vicinity.
It is provided with independent means of automatically starting (by air or battery) to ensure immediate run up following a main power failure and repeated starts of at least 3 times, and further attempt can be made within the 30 minutes.
Adequate and independent supply of fuel with a flash point of not less than 43 °C
Must be able to be started in cold condition up to zero (0 °C)
For cold weather, JCW system must be treated with anti-freeze agent, and heating arrangement provided.

Every Saturday, emergency generator must test run
Air bottle pressed up or starter battery fully charged, at all-time
Changeover the selector switch to local position before starting
Make sure breaker switch at ‘off’ position before starting (an interlock between E/R Main switchboard breaker and emergency switchboard breaker is provided to prevent simultaneous closure of both breaker)
During testing, check frequency, voltage and ampere
Fuel tank, always checked to ensure adequate level
Air filter of generator, regularly cleaned
Required tools and spares kept in a container
Emergency light for this room should be always checked

It is a switchboard which distributes emergency load that power is supplied from emergency generator during the main power source failure.
It has two sections- one for 440V and another is 220V.
Under normal condition, 440 V supply is taken from E/R Main Switchboard, through a Circuit Breaker
When main power is lost, this Circuit breaker is tripped (opened)
Emergency generator comes into action, and supplies power through another circuit breaker
An interlock is provided, to prevent simultaneous closing of both breaker (both main and emergency generator may be running, simultaneously)

Emergency Switchboard Distribution

All passenger and cargo vessels shall be provided with emergency sources of electrical power, for essential services under emergency conditions.
Emergency source may be generator or batteries, but must be complied with the rules
Emergency sources must be installed in position such that they are unlikely to be damaged or affected by any incident, which has caused to main power.
Emergency source of power should be capable of operating with a list of up to 22 ½ ° and a trim of up to 10 °
Emergency generator with its switchboard, is located in a compartment which is outside and away from main and auxiliary machinery space, above the uppermost continuous deck, and not forward of collision bulkhead
For batteries, the above same rules applied, nut must not be fitted in the same place as emergency switchboard.

Passenger ship

Emergency generator shall be automatically started and connected within 45 sec
Capable of supplying simultaneously at least the following services for the period of 36 hours
1) Emergency lightening (at alley way, stairways and exits, muster and embarkation stations, machinery space, control room, main and emergency switchboard, firemen’s outfits storage positions, steering gear room)
2) Fire detecting and alarming system
3) Internal communication equipments
4) Daylight signaling lamp and ship’s whistle
5) Navigation equipment
6) Navigation lights
7) Radio installations, (VHF, MF, MF/HF)
8) Watertight doors
9) One of the fire pumps, emergency bilge pump

A set of automatically connected Emergency batteries must be capable of carrying certain essential services for the period of 30 min.

Cargo Ship

Emergency generator shall be automatically started and connected within 45 sec
Emergency power source, Emergency generator must be sufficient to operate certain essential services at least for the period of 18 hours .
1) Emergency lightening (at alley way, stairways and exits, muster and embarkation stations, machinery space, control room, main and emergency switchboard, firemen’s outfits storage positions, steering gear room)
2) Fire detecting and alarming system
3) Internal communication equipment
4) Daylight signaling lamp and ship’s whistle
5) Navigation equipment
6) Navigation lights
7) Radio installations, (VHF, MF, MF/HF)
8) One of the fire pumps, emergency bilge pump

Where emergency source of electrical power is an accumulator battery, it shall be capable of carrying loads without recharging and battery voltage throughout discharge period must be maintained within 12% above or below its nominal voltage.
Battery system is automatically connected upon loss of main power.
Batteries are required as transitional power source for 30 min for following items:
1) Fire detecting and fire alarm
2) Emergency lightening
3) Navigation lights
4) Internal communication equipment

Normally emergency generator cut in automatically when main power fails
Starting is initiated by start up relay
Falling of frequency or voltage of Main power, cause the start up relay to operate generator starting equipment
If this system fails, after switching the MODE selector to Manual (Local) position, generator can be started manually by means of Back up starting equipment within 30 minutes of transitional emergency power battery lighting.

Navigation light should be connected to a distribution board, which does not supply other services
There should be a changeover switch, so that it can be transferred to another source or power supply
Visual and audible alarms required for individual Navigation Light failure (duel bulb system for change over)
Fuse protection provided

Navigation Lights