Section 2 Main source of electrical power
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 - Part 6 Control, Electrical, Refrigeration and Fire - Chapter 2 Electrical Engineering - Section 2 Main source of electrical power

Section 2 Main source of electrical power

2.1 General

2.1.1 The main source of electrical power is to comply with the requirements of this Section and SOLAS Ch II-1, Part D, Regulation 41 - Main source of electrical power and lighting systems and Regulation 42 - Emergency source of electrical power in passenger ships without recourse to the emergency source of electrical power.

2.2 Number and rating of generators and converting equipment

2.2.1 Under sea-going conditions, the number and rating of service generating sets and converting sets, such as transformers and semi-conductor converters, when any one generating set or converting set is out of action, are:

  1. to be in accordance with SOLAS Ch II-1, Part D, Regulation 41 - Main source of electrical power and lighting systems, Section 1.2 and to be sufficient to ensure operation of cargo refrigeration machinery of ships having an RMC notation and the container socket outlets and ventilation system of container ships having a CRC notation. See Pt 6, Ch 2, 16.3 Power requirements 16.3.5 for electric propulsion systems;

  2. to have sufficient reserve capacity to permit the starting of the largest motor without causing any motor to stall or any device to fail due to excessive voltage drop on the system;

  3. to be capable of providing the electrical services necessary to start the main propulsion machinery from a dead ship condition in accordance with SOLAS Chapter II-1, Part D, Regulation 41 - Main source of electrical power and lighting systems, Section 1.4.

2.2.2 The arrangement of the ship's main source of power is to be such that the operation of electrical services including cargo refrigeration machinery of ships having an RMC notation is to be in accordance with SOLAS Ch II-1, Part D Regulation 41 - Main source of electrical power and lighting systems, Section 1.3.

2.2.3 Where the electrical power requirement to maintain the ship in a normal operational and habitable condition is usually supplied by one generating set, arrangements are to be provided to prevent overloading of the running generator, see Pt 6, Ch 2, 6.9 Load management. On loss of power there is to be provision for automatic starting and connecting to the main switchboard of the standby set in as short a time as practicable, but in any case within 45 seconds, and automatic sequential restarting of essential services, see Pt 6, Ch 2, 1.6 Definitions 1.6.1, in as short a time as is practicable. In addition ships are to comply with SOLAS Ch II-1, Part D, Regulation 41 - Main source of electrical power and lighting systems, Section 5

Note Where the prime mover starting time will result in exceeding this starting and connection time, details are to be submitted for consideration.

2.3 Starting arrangements

2.3.1 The starting arrangements of the generating sets prime movers are to comply with the requirements of Pt 5, Ch 2, 9 Starting arrangements as applicable.

2.3.2 Where the emergency source of electrical power is required to be used to restore propulsion from a ‘dead ship condition’ it is to be in accordance with SOLAS Ch II-1, Part D, Regulation 42 - Emergency source of electrical power in passenger ships, Section 3.4, in addition to supplying those services in Pt 6, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger ships 3.3.1, for passenger ships and Pt 6, Ch 2, 3.4 Emergency source of electrical power in cargo ships 3.4.1 for cargo ships. See Pt 5, Ch 2, 9.1 Dead ship condition starting arrangements 9.1.1 for dead ship condition starting arrangements.

2.4 Prime mover governors

2.4.1 The governing accuracy of the generating sets prime movers is to meet the requirements of Pt 5, Ch 2, 7.3 Auxiliary and emergency engine governors .

2.4.2 The maximum electrical step load switched on or off is not to cause the frequency variation of the electrical supply to exceed the parameters given in Pt 6, Ch 2, 1.8 Quality of power supplies 1.8.2.

2.5 Main propulsion driven generators not forming part of the main source of electrical power

2.5.1 Generators and generator systems having the ship's propulsion machinery as their prime mover but not forming part of the ship's main source of electrical power may be used whilst the ship is at sea to supply electrical services required for normal operational and habitable conditions provided that the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 2, 2.5 Main propulsion driven generators not forming part of the main source of electrical power 2.5.2 to Pt 6, Ch 2, 2.5 Main propulsion driven generators not forming part of the main source of electrical power 2.5.4 are satisfied.

2.5.2 Within the declared operating range of the generators and/or generator system, the specified voltage and frequency variations of the Rules are to be met.

2.5.3 Where there is remote control of the propulsion machinery, arrangements are to ensure that essential machinery power supplies are maintained during manoeuvring conditions in order to prevent a blackout situation.

2.5.4 In addition to the requirements of Pt 6, Ch 2, 2.2 Number and rating of generators and converting equipment 2.2.3, arrangements are to be fitted to automatically start one of the generators forming the main source of power should the frequency variations exceed those permitted by the Rules.


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