AC switchboards http://www.marineengineering.org.uk/elgen/elacswiMain.

htm

AC switchboards
If voltages exceed 250 volts d.c. or 55 volts A.C. then the switchboard must be dead front (no
exposed live parts at the front) of the metal clad type.

Bus bars

High conductivity copper rated to withstand the thermal and electromagnetic forces which would
arise in the event of a short circuit at the bus bars with all the generators in parallel. The bus bars
will withstand these conditions for the length of time it takes for the alternator circuit breakers to
trip or back up fuse to blow.

Certain instruments and controls require a feed direct from the bus bars. Any connection
between the bus bars and protecting fuses must be capable of withstanding maximum fault level.
Standard practice is to provide a three phase set of fuses, known as 'Back Up' fuses, as near to the
bus bars as possible. Connections are then led to the racks of the many instruments fuses fitted.

Circuit breakers
Must be capable of making and breaking under normal conditions and also abnormal conditions such
as a short circuit. As the circuit breaker must be able to withstand closing onto a fault conditions
without sustaining damage, it is of heavy construction. Fitted with an over current release and
overloads with time lags, a circuit breaker can be used as follows;

a. To control the output of a generator

b. As a direct on line starter
c. Control outgoing feeder circuits

On modern switchboards 'draw out' circuit breakers may be fitted. In the open position the whole
circuit breaker can be wound clear of the bus bars, thus full inspection and maintenance can be
achieved without the necessity of de-energising the bus bars so providing a separate isolating
switch.

The 'plug in' contacts joining the circuit breaker to the bus bars are not capable of taking
the breaking load and it is essential that the circuit breaker is in the open position before any
attempt is made to withdraw it. A mechanical interlock is fitted arranged to trip the circuit breaker
before the winding handle can be inserted,

The breaker also has a mid position, in this position the control circuits are still connected
with the bus bar connection isolated. The electrical operation of the breaker can then be tested.

Circuit breakers are normally fitted with under voltage protection and tripping is
accomplished by shorting or open circuiting the no-volt coil which releases the latching in
mechanism. The no-volt coil may also be open circuited by a reverse power relay and an overload
trip fitted with a time delay

Instruments
The following instruments are the minimum that must be fitted;
Bus bar voltmeter and frequency meter
Volt meter and frequency meter, with selector switch to measure incoming machine
conditions
Ammeter with phase selector switch for each alternator
Watt meter for each alternator
Synchroscope and if check synchroscope not fitted lamps

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AC switchboards http://www.marineengineering.org.uk/elgen/elacswiMain.htm

Earth leakage indicator

Additional instruments that may be fitted
Watt hour meter
Power factor meter
Alternator excitation ammeter
Alternator excitation volt meter
kVAr meter
Share connection supply meter
Emergency batteries on discharge meter

When a check synchroniser is fitted it is there to prevent connecting an incoming machine to the
bus bars whilst out of phase, it is not there as aid to synchronising. In an emergency the 'in synch'
light may be used to indicate when the breaker may be closed.

When an incoming machine is selected, its no-volt coil and circuit breaker contactor relay
coil are connected in series with contacts on the check synchroniser. These contacts must be closed,
that is the machine in phase with the bus bars, before the breaker contactor relay may be
energised. If starting from a dead ship the check synchroniser must be switched to off before the
first generator is put on the board.

Protection
a. Overload protection-fitted to circuit breakers
b. Reverse power-When motive power is removed an alternator will try to become a synchronous motor and
draw current from the circuit. A reverse power relay will operate after about 2 seconds and about 2-3%
reverse power for turbines, 10-12% reverse power for diesels. The time delay prevents tripping during
paralleling and taking the alternator off the board.
c. Preference trip-automatically , and sometimes sequentially, sheds load from board to maintain supply to
essential services during periods of overload.
d. Fuses-Usually of the HRC type
e. Discrimination-The protective device closest to the fault should operate and protect other services
f. Group starter board-Large demand sections may be separated from the main switchboard by fuses and
circuit breakers.

Automatic voltage regulators

Shall be supplied separately from all other instrument circuits. Protection should be by fuses
mounted as close to the supply connections as possible.

Shore supply connections

a. Where arrangements are made for the supply of electricity from a source on shore or other location a suitable
connection box has to be installed in a position in the ship suitable for the convenient reception of flexible
cables, it should contain a circuit breaker or isolating switch, fuses, and terminals of adequate size to receive
the cable ends.
b. For three phase shore supplies with earthed neutral terminals are to be provided for connecting hull to shore
earth
c. An indicator for shore side connection energised is to be provided.
d. A means for checking polarity or phase rotation is to be provided
e. At the connection box a notice indicating ships requirements with respect to supply as well as connection
procedure.
f. Alternative arrangements may be submitted for consideration.

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