Section 1 General requirements

1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to self-propelled and non-self-propelled ships for service on Inland Waterways except where otherwise stated. Attention should also be given to any relevant requirements of National, International or Local Authorities which will apply to the ship in service.

1.1.2 In passenger ships, services essential for safety are to be maintained under emergency conditions and the safety of ship and personnel from electrical hazards is to be assured.

1.1.3 Electrical installations are to be constructed and installed in accordance with the relevant Sections of this Chapter and are to be inspected and tested by the Surveyors. Compliance with the requirements of an acceptable National or International Standard, e.g. Regulations of the A.D.N. (A.D.N.) may be accepted as meeting the requirements of this Chapter, subject to inspection and testing by the Surveyors.

1.1.4 The Committee will be prepared to give consideration to special cases or to arrangements which are equivalent to the Rules. Consideration will also be given to the electrical arrangements of small ships and ships to be assigned class notations for a specified limited service.

1.2.1 The plans and particulars in Pt 6, Ch 2, 1.2 Plans 1.2.2 are to be submitted, in triplicate, for consideration.

1.2.2  Electrical equipment. The arrangement plan and circuit diagram of the switchboard(s). Diagrams of the wiring system including cable sizes, type of insulation, normal working current in the circuits, and the capacity, type and make of protective devices. Calculations of short-circuit currents at main busbars, sub-switchboard busbars and the secondary side of transformers are to be submitted.

1.2.3  Oil tankers, oil and chemical tankers and chemical tankers. A general arrangement of the ship showing hazardous zones or spaces and the location of electrical equipment in such zones or spaces. A schedule of safe type electrical equipment located in hazardous zones or spaces giving details of the type of equipment fitted, the certifying Authority, the certificate number and copies of the certificates.

1.2.4  Prime movers. See Pt 1, Ch 3, 12 Electrical equipment.

1.2.5 Centralized, bridge or automatic controls. See Pt 6, Ch 1 Control Engineering Systems andPt 5, Ch 2 Engines.

1.3.1 No addition, temporary or permanent, is to be made to the approved load of an existing installation until it has been ascertained that the current-carrying capacity and the condition of the existing accessories, conductors and switchgear are adequate for the increased load. See Pt 1, Ch 3, 12 Electrical equipment.

1.3.2 Plans are to be submitted for approval, and the alterations or additions are to be carried out under the inspection, and to the satisfaction of the Surveyors.

1.4.1 Except where a specific statement is made to the contrary, all requirements of this Chapter are applicable to both alternating current and direct current installations.

1.4.2 Direct current equipment is to operate satisfactorily under voltage fluctuations of plus six per cent and minus 10 per cent.

1.4.3 Alternating current equipment is to operate satisfactorily under voltage fluctuations of plus six per cent and minus 10 per cent at rated frequency, and under frequency fluctuations of plus or minus five per cent at rated voltage.

1.4.4 Contactors and similar equipment are not to drop out at or above 85 per cent rated voltage.

1.5.1 The following cooling air and cooling water temperatures are applicable in ships intended for operation in:

1. Tropical Zones

   Primary cooling water supply 30°C.

   Cooling air temperature 45°C.

2. Seasonal Zones

   Vessels intended solely for use in northern or southern

   waters outside the tropical belt.

   Primary cooling water supply 25°C.

   Cooling air temperature 40°C.

1.6.1 Electrical equipment is to be accessibly placed, clear of flammable material in well-ventilated, adequately lighted spaces in which flammable gases cannot accumulate and where it is not exposed to risk of mechanical injury or damage from water, steam or oil. Where necessarily exposed to such risks, the equipment is to be suitably constructed or enclosed. Live parts are to be guarded where necessary.

1.6.2 The operation of all electrical equipment and the lubricating arrangements are to be efficient under such conditions of vibration and shock as arise in normal practice.

1.6.3 All nuts and screws used in connection with the current-carrying parts and working parts are to be effectively locked.

1.7.1 Non-current-carrying metal parts of electrical equipment are to be effectively earthed. Where earthing connections are necessary, they are to be of copper or other approved material and are to be protected against damage and, where necessary, electrolytic action. In general, they are to be equal to the cross-section of the current-carrying conductor up to 16 mm2. Above this figure they are to be equal to at least half the cross-section of the current-carrying conductor with a minimum of 16 mm².

1.7.2  Portable equipment. Metal frames of all portable electric lamps, tools and similar apparatus supplied as ship’s equipment and rated in excess of 55 V are to be earthed through a suitable conductor unless equivalent safety provisions are made such as by double insulation or by an isolating transformer.

1.8.1 The distances between live parts and between live parts and earthed metal, whether across surfaces or in air, shall be adequate for the working voltage having regard to the nature of the insulating material and the transient over-voltages developed by switch and fault conditions.

1.9.1 Where electrical equipment is installed in areas where explosive gas atmospheres may be present, it is to be ‘safe type’ as defined by IEC 60079: Electrical Apparatus for Explosive Gas Atmospheres, or an equivalent national specification.

1.9.2 Copies of type test certificates by a competent independent Testing Authority are to be made available.

1.9.3 For oil tankers, oil and chemical tankers and chemical tankers, see Pt 6, Ch 2, 13 Special requirements for tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of oil and other hazardous liquids, Pt 6, Ch 2, 14 Additional requirements for tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of oil cargoes having a flash point of 60°C and below (closed cup test) and Pt 6, Ch 2, 15 Additional requirements for tankers intended for the carriage in bulk of other hazardous liquids.