Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 23

Unit 3
Supply and distribution

3.1. Systems of supply and distribution

The following systems of generation and distribution are acceptable, other than
for tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of oil, liquefied gasses and other
hazardous liquids having a flesh point not exceeding 60°:
a) d.c., two wire;
b) a.c., single-phase, two-wire;
c) a.c., three-phase;
three-wire;
four-wire with neutral earthed but without hull return.

For tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of oil, liquefied gases and
other hazardous liquids having a flash point not exceeding 60° only the following
systems of generation and distribution are acceptable:
a) d.c., two wired insulated;
b) a.c., single-phase, two-wire, insulated;
c) a.c., three-phase; three-wire, insulated;
d) earthed systems, a.c. or d.c., limited to areas outside any dangerous space
or zone, and arranged so that no current arising from an earth-fault in any
part of the system could pass through a dangerous space or zone;
e) high voltage systems with earthed neutral, provided it can be shown that
any possible resulting current does not flow directly through any of the
dangerous areas.
Earthed intrinsically safe circuits are permitted to pass into and through dangerous
spaces and zones.

System voltages for both alternating current and direct current in general
are not to exceed:
15000 V for generation and power distribution;
500 V for cooking and heating equipment permanently connected to fixed
wiring;
250 V for lighting, heaters in cabins and public rooms, and other
applications not mentioned above.
The arrangement of the main and the emergency systems of supply is to be
such that a fire or other casualty in any space containing the main source of
electrical power, associated transforming equipment, if any, the main switchboard
and the main lighting switchboard will not render the emergency services
inoperable.
24 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

The main switchboard is to be so placed relative to the main source of

power that, as far as is practicable, the integrity of the main system of supply will
be affected only by a fire or other casualty in one space.
Distribution systems required in an emergency are to be so arranged that a
fire in any one main fire zone, as defined by SOLAS Reg. II-2/A, will not
interfere with the emergency distribution in any other such zone.
When the total installed electrical power of the main generating sets is in
excess of 3 MW or it is supplied at high voltage arrangements are to be made so
that it is possible to split the switchboard, by removable links or other means, into
at least two independent sections, each supplied by at least one generator.

3.2. Essential services

Essential services that are required to be duplicated are to be served by individual
circuits, separated in their switchboard or section board and throughout their
length as widely as is practicable without the use of common feeders, protective
devices or control circuits, so that any single fault will not cause the loss of both
services.

3.3. Isolation and switching

The outgoing circuits from every switchboard or section board are to be provided
with a means of isolation and switching to permit each circuit to be switched off:
a) on load;
b) for mechanical maintenance;
c) in an emergency to prevent or remove danger.
Isolation and switching is to be by means of a circuit breaker or switch
arrangement to open simultaneously all insulated poles. Where a switch is used as
the means of isolation and switching, it is to be capable of:
a) switching off the circuit on load;
b) withstanding, without damage, the overcurrents which may arise during
overloads and short circuit.
Provision is to be made, in accordance with one of the following, to prevent any
circuit being inadvertently energized:
a) the circuit breaker or switch can be withdrawn, or locked in the open
position;
b) the operating handle of the circuit breaker or switch can be removed;
c) the circuit fuses, where fitted, can be readily removed and retained by
authorized personnel.
Where a section board, distribution board or item of equipment can be
supplied by more than one circuit, a switching device is to be provided to permit
each incoming circuit to be isolated and the supply transferred to the alternative
circuit.
 Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 25

The switching device required is to be situated within or adjacent to the

section board, distribution board or item of equipment, and capable of opening
and closing all insulated poles. Where necessary, interlocking arrangements are to
be provided to prevent circuits being inadvertently energized.
A notice is to be fixed to any necessary section board, distribution board or
item of equipment to worn the personnel before gaining access to live parts of the
need to open the appropriate circuit breakers or switched, unless an interlocking
arrangement is provided so that all circuits concerned are isolated before access is
gained.

3.4. Insulated systems

A device is to be installed for every insulated distribution system, whether
primary or secondary, for power, heating and lighting circuits, to continuously
monitor the insulation level to earth and to operate an alarm in the event of an
abnormally low level of insulation.
Where any insulated lower voltage system is supplied through
transformers from a high voltage system, adequate precautions are to be taken to
prevent the low voltage system being charged by capacitive leakage from the high
voltage system.

3.5. Earthed systems

No fuse, non-linked switch or non-linked circuit-breaker is to be inserted in an
earthed conductor. Any switch or circuit breaker fitted is to operate
simultaneously in the earthed conductor and the insulted conductors. These
requirements do not preclude the provision of an isolating link to be used only
when the other conductors are isolated.
For high voltage systems, where the earthed neutral system of generation
and primary distribution is used, earthing is to be through an impedance in order
to limit the total earth fault current to a magnitude which does not exceed that of
the three phase short circuit current for which the generators are designed.
Generator neutrals may be connected in common, provided that the third
harmonic content of the voltage waveform of each generator does not exceed five
per cent.
Where a switchboard is split into sections operated independently or where
there are separate switchboards, neutral earthing is to be provided for each section
or for each switchboard. Means are to be provided to ensure that the earth
connection is not removed when generators are isolated.
A means of isolation is to be fitted in the earthing connection of each
generator so that generators can be completely isolated for maintenance.
All earthing impedances are to be connected to the hull. In order to
eliminate possible interference with radio, radar and communication circuits,
26 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

earthing impedances are to be bonded together on the hull side of the impedances
and the means of bonding is to separate from that provided by the hull.
For tankers intended for carriage in bulk of oil, liquefied gases and other
hazardous liquids, no current carrying part of a distribution system is to be
earthed, other than through an earth indicating device or through components used
for the suppression of radio interference.
Hull currents which may arise from sacrificial anode protective systems
and impressed current cathodic protection systems for other hull protection or for
installations within the machinery space are not considered to contravene the
paragraph above.

3.6. Diversity factor

Circuits supplying two or more final sub-circuits are to be rated in accordance
with the total connected load subject, where justified, to the application of a
diversity factor. Where spare ways are provided on a section or distribution board,
an allowance for future increase of load is to be added to the total connection load
before application of any diversity factor.
A diversity factor may be applied to the calculation for size of cable and
rating of switchgear and fusegear, taking into account the duty cycle of the
connected loads and the frequency and duration of any motor starting loads.
For winches and crane motors the diversity factor is to be calculated and
submitted when required.

3.7. Lighting circuits

A final sub-circuit of rating exceeding 16A is not to supply more than one point.
The number of lighting points supplied by a final sub-circuit of rating 16A or less
is not to exceed:
10 for 24 – 55V circuits;
14 for 110 – 127V circuits;
18 for 220 – 250V circuits;
except that in final sub-circuits for cornice lighting, panel lighting and electric
signs where lampholders are closely grouped, the number of points supplied is
unrestricted provided the maximum operating current in the sub-circuit does not
exceed 10A.
Lighting circuits are to be supplied by final sub-circuits separate from
those for heating and power (This does not apply to cabin and wardrobe heaters).
Lighting for machinery spaces, control stations and normal working spaces
is to be supplied by from at least two final sub-circuits in such a way that failure
of any one of the circuits does not leave the space in darkness.
Lighting for enclosed hazardous spaces is to be supplied from at least two
final sub-circuits to permit light from one circuit to be retained while maintenance
is carried out on the other.
 Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 27

Lighting of unattended spaces, such as cargo spaces, is to be controlled by

multi-pole linked switches situated outside such spaces. Provision is to be made
for the complete isolation of these circuits and locking the means of control in the
off position.

3.8. Electric motors

Aboard vessels the electric motors and hydraulic systems perform most of the
hard labour. They are indispensable in daily operations. The maintenance and
overhauling of electric motors and appliances is therefore of the utmost
importance. Electric motors and generators are similar in construction. The main
components of an electric motor are the rotor and the stator (or armature). In an
electric motor the rotary motion of the rotor within the stationary stator is
employed to actuate pumps, winches, derricks, etc. Most electric motors are on
alternating current (A/C). The old-fashioned compound motor combines the
advantages of the even more old-fashioned shunt motor and the series motor. The
compound motor has a high starting torque and constant running speed.
Nowadays we know two main types of electric motors: the a-synchronous
induction motor, which is widely used aboard ships, and synchronous induction
motor, which is hardly used aboard ships. The advantage of a-synchronous
induction motor is the lack of vulnerable carbon brushes that require frequent
maintenance. Its disadvantages are the large amount of initial current that it
requires, and the low starting torque it produces. In the synchronous induction
motor three-phase alternating current, either 220, 380 or 440 volts, passes through
coils of copper wire in the stator, creating an alternating magnetic field. Carbon
brushes convey the current to the rotor, which will start to rotate. The advantages
of the synchronous motor are the small amount of initial current it requires, and its
high starting torque. However, the synchronous motor is expensive, and the
carbon brushes require frequent maintenance.

3.8.1. Motor control

Every electric motor is to be provided with efficient means for starting and
stopping so placed as to be easily operated by the person controlling the motor.
Every motor above 0.5 kW is to be provided with control apparatus.
Means to prevent undesired restarting after a stoppage due to low volts or
complete loss of volts are to be provided. This does not apply to motors where a
dangerous condition might result from the failure to restart automatically, e.g.
steering gear motor.
Means for automatic disconnection of the supply in the event of excess
current due to mechanical overloading of the motor are to be provided.
Motor control gear is to be suitable for the starting current and for the full
load rated current of the motor.
28 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

3.9. Vocabulary
alternating current ~ curent alternativ
capacitive leakage ~ scurgere capacitivă
circuit fuse ~ siguranţă a circuitului
common feeder ~ distribuitor obişnuit
control apparatus ~ aparatură de control
cornice lighting ~ lumină de cornişă
crane motor ~ motor de macara de punte
direct current ~ curent continuu
distribution ~ distribuţie
distribution board ~ cutie/ tablou de distribuţie
earthed conductor ~ conductor de împământare
earth-fault ~ defecţiune de împământare
final sub-circuit ~ subcircuit final
fixed wiring ~ circuit fix
fusegear ~ siguranţă fuzibilă
generation ~ generare, formare
heating equipment ~ echipamente de încălzire
impedance ~ impedanţă
cathodic protection system ~ sistem catodic de protecţie
insulated pole ~ pol izolat
interlocking arrangement ~ dispozitiv de cuplare
lampholder ~ fasung
lighting point ~ punct de iluminare
magnitude ~ mărime, amplitudine
mechanical overloading ~ supraîncărcare mecanică
multi-pole linked switches ~ întrerupătoare legate la mai mulţi poli
non-linked circuit-breaker ~ întrerupător/ ruptor nelegat
non-linked switch ~ conjunctor-disjunctor/ întrerupător nelegat
operating handle ~ manetă de comandă
outgoing circuit ~ linie/fider de plecare
overcurrent ~ supracurent
panel lighting ~ tablou de lumini
removable link ~ legătură detaşabilă
sacrificial anode protective system ~ sistem de protecţie cu anod de sacrificiu
section board ~ secţiune panou comandă
spare way ~ traseu de rezervă
steering gear motor ~ motorul mecanismului de guvernare
switched off ~ închis, deconectat
switching ~ comutare, distribuţie
three-phase ~ trifazic
three-wire ~ cu trei conductoare
 Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 29

winch ~ vinci
withstanding ~ rezistent

TASK 1. Match the electric system of generation and distribution with the class of
ships. Use T for tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of oil, liquefied gases
and other hazardous liquids and C for the rest of cargo ships.

Ship type Electric system of generation and distribution

1 a.c., three-phase; three-wire, insulated;
2 a.c., single-phase, two-wire;
3 d.c., two wired insulated;
4 a.c., three-phase; three-wire; four-wire with neutral earthed
but without hull return.
5 earthed systems, a.c. or d.c., limited to areas outside any
dangerous space or zone, and arranged so that no current
arising from an earth-fault in any part of the system could
pass through a dangerous space or zone;
6 a.c., single-phase, two-wire, insulated;
7 d.c., two wire;
8 high voltage systems with earthed neutral, provided it can
be shown that any possible resulting current does not flow
directly through any of the dangerous areas.

TASK 2. Match the expressions to the explanations: 1. Lighting for enclosed

hazardous spaces, 2. Lighting circuits, 3. Lighting of unattended spaces, such as
cargo spaces, 4. Lighting for machinery spaces, control stations and normal
working spaces
a……………….. are to be supplied by final sub-circuits separate from those for
heating and power.
b. ……………….is to be supplied by from at least two final sub-circuits in such a
way that failure of any one of the circuits does not leave the space in darkness.
c…………………is to be supplied from at least two final sub-circuits to permit
light from one circuit to be retained while maintenance is carried out on the other.
d…………………is to be controlled by multi-pole linked switches situated
outside such spaces.

TASK 3. Complete the table with the advantages and disadvantages of the a-
synchronous induction motor, which is widely used aboard ships, and
synchronous induction motor.

Motor type Advantages Disadvantages

30 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

a-synchronous
induction motor
synchronous induction
motor

3.10. Engineering - General Vocabulary

Electrical engineering deals with the practical application of the theory of

electricity to the construction and manufacture of systems, devices and assemblies
that use electric power and signals.
Electrical engineering can be divided into four main branches:
 electric power and machinery;
 communications and control;
 electronics;
 computers.

Electrical applications are used in many industrial areas including:

 electric power and machinery;
 electronic circuits;
 control systems; computer design;
 superconductors;
 solid-state electronics;
 medical imaging systems
 robotics;
 lasers;
 radar;
 consumer electronics; fibre optics.
In recent years, the electronic computer has emerged as the largest application of
electrical engineering. However, another very large field is concerned with
electric light and power and their applications. Specialties within the field include
the design, manufacture, and use of turbines, generators, transmission lines,
transformers, motors, lighting systems, and appliances.

Electrical problems: ground fault; overcurrent; overload; short circuit.

Electrical protection: dustproof; explosionproof; rainproof; raintight; watertight;
weatherproof.
Electrical devices: branch circuit; (circuit) breaker; cable; circuit; feeder; fixture;
fuse; ground; junction (electrical) box; panelboard; service panel; switch;
switchboard.
Match the terms above with the corresponding explanation:
1 a It produces a narrow beam of light and can be
 Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 31

used to read barcodes in a supermarket, play

2 b
3 c
4 d
5 e
6 f
7 g
8 h
9 i
10 j A connection point where several cables are
compact discs, etc.
A word to describe any piece of equipment
made for specific purpose.
A pulse of light, current or sound that is used
to convey information.
A device that uses electromagnetic waves to
calculate the distance of an object.
Glass fibres that are used for data
transmission.
The study of how robots are made and used.
A circuit where the current has a choice of
paths.
A situation where the electrical current takes
an easier path than the one intended.
A piece of equipment that stops an electrical
current if it becomes dangerous.
connected.

3.11. Prefixes

Prefixes are groups of letters put at the beginning of words to alter their meaning in a
certain way. The more common prefixes are used to give adjectives, verbs, and nouns a
negative meaning. Here are negative prefixes and the rules for using them with words,
according to the letter these words begin with.

un- used with adjectives: unhappy; untidy;

used with verbs: unbend; undo; unload; unlock;

im- is used before words beginning with m or p: immature; impolite; impatient;

improbable;

il- is used before words beginning with l: illegible; illegal;

ir- is used before words beginning with r: irresponsible; irreplaceable; irreversible;

dis- is used before adjectives and verbs: dishonest; disconnect; disqualify;

in- is used before a limited number of words: invisible;

re- is used before verbs and the meaning is ‘again’: redo; reopen; retake; replace;
rewind;
32 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

over- is used before verbs and the meaning is ‘too much’: overdo; overwork; overheat;

mis- is used before verbs and the meaning is ‘badly or incorrectly’: misunderstand;
mistranslate; misinform;

semi- the meaning is ‘half’: semicircular; semi-final; semi-detached;

sub- the meaning is ‘under’: submarine; subdivision;

under- the meaning is ‘not enough’: under worked; underused.

TASK 4 Prefix exercises

Exercise 1 Use a prefix from the left and a word from the right and complete the
sentences below:

un- in- ir- possible friendly regular legible responsible

im- il- dis- correct honest visible employed patient

1. Nobody at the party talked to us – they were very _________________.

2. I can’t read this at all; handwriting is completely ________________.
3. It’s a very depressed area and almost 20% of young adults are
____________.
4. You can’t see where my jacket was mended. The repair is completely
_____________.
5. I find it very hard to remember the past tense of lots of _____________
verbs.
6. Bob’s so ______________ that he’s just not prepared to wait for the right
opportunity.
7. It was very _____________ to go out and leave those two children alone.
8. It says here we lost £300 last week, but these figures must be
______________. Check them again, Sue!
9. His brother steals money and tells lies – he’s very _____________.
10. She says it can’t be done, but I don’t accept that. Nothing is _____________.
Exercise 2 Replaced the underlined words and phrases with a word of the same
meaning which begins with the prefix given.

Example: That child looks very sad. unhappy

1. I’m sure that’s against the law. il______

2. The doctor told me to take off my clothes. un_______
3. We don’t have the same opinion about this. dis________
4. His room is always in a mess. un________
 Unit 3 Supply and Distribution 33

5. I’m afraid she doesn’t like onions. dis________

6. That was very rude, wasn’t it? im_________

Exercise 3 Match the prefixes in the box with the meanings below. (There are
two prefixes for one meaning)

mis- un- over- re- dis-

1. do something again
2. do something badly or incorrectly
3. reverse an action
4. do something too much

Exercise 4 Complete the sentences with a suitable verb, using a prefix from
exercise 3.

Example: If she fails her exam, she can retake it in the autumn.

take pack do open lock sleep understand appear hear charge

1. I wrote the wrong answer because I __________ the question.

2. When I __________ I feel even more tired when I wake up.
3. I got to the hotel at 4.00 but I couldn’t _________ my stuff until later.
4. I turned left instead of right. Obviously I ________ what she said.
5. It’s closed for the summer, but it will _________ in September.
6. The children were here a minute ago, but now they’ve _________.
7. John had a key but it wouldn’t _________ the door.
8. A: It says here £3, but the man asked me for £5.
B: In that case he has __________ you.
9. Do you think I can __________ my homework if it’s not very good?

Exercise 5 Use the word in brackets to complete the sentences. Add the necessary
prefix and put the word in the correct form.
Example: The runner was …disqualified… after a blood test. (qualify)
1. Children and adults love ………parcels at Christmas time. (wrap)
2. I almost always find that I ………… with his opinion. (agree)
3. I’m sure he’s lying but it’s going to be hard to ……… his story. (prove)
4. After a brief speech the Queen ………..the new statue. (veil)
5. It took the removal men an hour ……….our things from the van. (load)
6. His phone was ………..because he didn’t pay his last bill. (connect)
34 English for Marine Electrical Engineering 3

Exercise 6 Answer the following questions.

1. What kind of oven cooks things particularly fast?
2. What kind of drug can help somebody with an infection?
3. What kind of company has branches in many countries?
4. How does a passenger aeroplane normally fly?
5. What is a student who is studying for a second degree?
6. What means ‘underground railway’ in the US and ‘underground passage’ in the
UK?