Chapter 1 - Overview of a Ship’s Electrical System

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing the operation of marine electrical equipment

«      Explain the need for specially designed equipment onboard ships and the effects of the marine environment on such equipment

«      Identify major components in a marine electrical system

«      Recall the basics of power management onboard ships

«      Comprehend various electrical diagrams


Chapter 2 - Electrical Safety

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing electrical safety

«             Avoid electrical accidents by adopting adequate safety measures

«             List the fundamentals requirements for safe installation of equipment

«             Identify safe electrical equipment for hazardous areas

«             Render first-aid in the unfortunate event of electrical accidents


Chapter 3 - AC Distribution Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing distribution systems

«             Explain the basic features of the common systems for the distribution of a.c. power

«             Identify generic distribution systems meant for ships

«             Explain the power generation and distribution schemes on various types of ships

«             Explain the concept of a primary power bus


Chapter 4 - Emergency Power and Shore Supply

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations applicable to emergency power supply

«             Explain the method of supplying emergency power

«             List the actions of engineers onboard during a blackout situation

«             Explain the shore supply procedure

«             Describe the effects of change in supply voltage and frequency on torque and speed


Chapter 5 - Insulated and Earthed Neutral Systems

At the end of this chapter you will be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing insulated and earthed neutral systems

«             State the importance of electromagnetic compatibility

«             Distinguish between insulated and earthed neutral systems

«             Explain the basic operating principles of earth fault indicators

«             Detect and clear an earth fault


Chapter 6 - Alternators

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing alternators

«             State the operating principle of an alternator

«             Explain the functions of the major components of an alternator

«             Distinguish between conventional and shaft-driven alternators

«             Explain different applications of alternators


Chapter 7 - Direct Current Generators

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             State the operating principle of a d.c. generator

«             Explain the functions of the major components of a generator

«             Identify different types of d.c. generators

«             Describe the functions involved in generator control

«             Explain paralleling of d.c. generators


Chapter 8 - Automatic Voltage Regulators

At the end of this chapter you will be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing AVRs

«             State the operating principle of an AVR and its main components

«             Compare various excitation systems

«             Explain the significance of voltage dip and alternator response

«             List the features of a modern AVR


Chapter 9 - Panel Instrumentation

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing instrumentation for switchboards

«             Correlate basic measuring system terminology and fundamentals with instrumentation

«             Explain the constructional features of panel instruments

«             Explain the theory and operating principles of panel instruments

«             Identify panel instruments on board a ship and utilise them adequately


Chapter 10 - Paralleling of Alternators

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing the parallel operation of alternators

«             Explain the various methods of synchronising alternators

«             Explain paralleling of alternators

«             State the importance of load sharing

«             Discuss the significance of speed droop


Chapter 11 - Switchboards and Switchgear

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing switchboards and switchgear

«      State the need for different types of switchboards

«      Identify various types of switchgear

«      Specify the role of each key component in the system

«      Operate switchgear onboard ships


Chapter 12 - Starters for Miscellaneous Equipment

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Explain the importance of a motor starter

«             Determine the features of basic starters

«             Trace common starter circuits implemented on board

«             Distinguish between an electronic or soft starter and conventional starter

«             Explain the basics of speed control of induction motors


Chapter 13 - Fault Protection Devices

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«             Comply with relevant regulations governing the protection of equipment

«             Explain the fundamental reasons for faults in electrical equipment

«             Recognise the significance of overall protection of circuits

«             Explain the operation of various protective devices in a ship’s electrical system

«             Identify the need for motor and cable protection


Chapter 14 - Electric Cables

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«                  Comply with relevant regulations governing the installation and use of cables

«                  State the significance of temperature coefficients of metals used for conductors

«                  Compare various ratings and sizes of cables in use

«                  Describe the importance of cable testing

«            Apply proper wiring procedures on board a ship


Chapter 15 - Cable Insulation and Ingress Protection

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«                  Comply with relevant regulations governing insulation and ingress protection

«                  Specify the various classes of insulation.

«                  State the applications of different types of insulating materials

«                  Identify equipment based on their degrees of protection

«                  Explain the implications of temperature ratings on equipment


Chapter 16 - Transformers

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing transformers

«      State the functions of the basic components of a transformer

«      Explain the theory supporting the operation of a transformer

«      Identify and work with the various types of transformers and related circuits on board

«      Justify the significance of transformer feeders


Chapter 17 - Propulsion Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with regulations governing propulsion systems

«      State the operating principles of various types of propulsion systems

«      Specify some of the latest developments in electrical propulsion systems

«      Explain the basics of dynamic positioning systems

«      Distinguish between conventional and water jet propulsion systems


Chapter 18 - Steering and Stabiliser Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with  regulations governing steering systems

«      Explain the fundamental concepts of various types of steering systems

«      State the necessity and operating principles of some rudder position indicators

«      Explain the basic theory of a gyroscope and its applications

«      Identify the need for roll stabilisers


Chapter 19 - Deck Machinery and Cargo Equipment

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing deck machinery

«      Explain the basic operation of windlasses

«      Explain the basic operation of cargo winches

«      Explain the role of electrical equipment in deck machinery

«      Trace basic control circuits


Chapter 20 - Control of Air Compressors

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing compressors

«      Explain the basic features of commonly-used marine compressors

«      State the importance of protection equipment incorporated in a basic system

«      Trace the starting, stopping and control circuits

«      Justify the importance of an air drier


Chapter 21 - Batteries and Battery Charging

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing batteries

«      Explain the constructional features and basic theory supporting secondary cells

«      Justify the need for various methods of battery charging

«      State the safety measures to be adopted when using secondary cells

«      Render first aid in case of electrolyte spillage


Chapter 22 - Lighting Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing lighting systems

«      Identify various incandescent lamps and explain their methods of functioning

«      Identify various discharge lamps and explain associated circuits

«      Explain the navigation and signal lighting system

«      Justify the need of emergency lighting and explain a basic system


Chapter 23 - Alarm Indication Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Identify the various fire detectors onboard ships

«      Explain the theory the operation of various fire detectors

«      Explain the operation of Crankcase Oil Mist Detectors

«      Explain the operation of a basic scanning type of comprehensive alarm indication system

«      Explain the method of incorporating these alarm systems onboard ships


Chapter 24 - Gas Analysers

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      State the importance of using adequate gas analysers onboard ships

«      Describe the Constructional features of various gas analysers

«      Explain the theory supporting different gas analysers

«      List the steps to be observed for safe and efficient operation of various gas analysers

«      Explain the maintenance and calibration procedures for the analysers


Chapter 25 - Miscellaneous Systems

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing some miscellaneous equipment

«      Explain the theory supporting cathodic protection

«      Understand the method of monitoring water purity

«      State the operating principles of galley and laundry equipment and water-tight doors

«      Explain the basic principles of monitoring and control of air-conditioning systems


Chapter 26 - Maintenance and Troubleshooting

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

«      Comply with relevant regulations governing maintenance

«      State the significance of different types of maintenance

«      List the basic steps in troubleshooting

«      Carry-out basic maintenance of specific electrical equipment

«      List the spares, tools and accessories required for maintenance