Section 2 Main source of electrical power

2.1.1 The main source of electrical power is to comply with the requirements of this Section without recourse to the emergency source of electrical power.

2.2.1 Under seagoing 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 sufficient to ensure the operation of electrical services for essential equipment and habitable conditions;

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 craft condition'. The emergency source of electrical power may be used to assist if it can provide power at the same time to those services required to be supplied by Pt 16, Ch 2, 3 Emergency source of electrical power, see also Pt 16, Ch 2, 2.3 Starting arrangements 2.3.2.

2.2.2 The arrangement of the craft’s main source of power is to be such that the operation of electrical services for essential equipment and habitable conditions can be maintained regardless of the speed and direction of the propulsion machinery shafting.

2.2.3 Where the electrical power requirement to maintain the craft 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 16, 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 16, Ch 2, 1.6 Definitions 1.6.1, in as short a time as practicable.

2.3.1 The starting arrangements of the generating sets' prime movers are to comply with the requirements of Pt 10, Ch 1 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines and Pt 10, Ch 2 Gas Turbines as applicable.

2.3.2 Where the emergency source of electrical power is required to be used to restore propulsion from a 'dead craft condition', the emergency generator is to be capable of providing initial starting energy for the propulsion machinery within 30 minutes of the 'dead craft condition'. The emergency generator capacity is to be sufficient for restoring propulsion in addition to supplying those services in Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7, Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7.(b), Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.2 Emergency source of electrical power in passenger craft and for yachts that are 500 gt or more 3.2.7.(c) for passenger craft and yachts greater than 500gt; or Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7,Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7.(b), Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7.(c) and Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7.(d)andPt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7.(d) for craft required to comply with HSC code; or Pt 16, Ch 2, 3.4 Emergency source of electrical power in cargo craft, patrol and pilot craft, workboats and other similar craft of 500 tons gross tonnage and above; and cargo craft, patrol and pilot craft, workboats and other similar craft less than 500 tons gross tonnage 3.4.3 andPt 16, Ch 2, 3.3 Emergency source of electrical power in craft required to comply with the HSC Code 3.3.7.(f) as applicable. See Pt 10, Ch 1, 9.1 Dead ship condition starting arrangements 9.1.1 and Pt 10, Ch 2, 6.1 Initial starting arrangements 6.1.1 for starting arrangements.

2.4.1 The governing accuracy of the generating sets' prime movers is to meet the requirements of Pt 10, Ch 1 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines and Pt 10, Ch 2 Gas Turbines.

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 16, Ch 2, 1.8 Quality of power supplies 1.8.2, see also Pt 10, Ch 1 Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines and Pt 10, Ch 2 Gas Turbines.

2.5.1 Generators and generator systems, having the craft's propulsion machinery as their prime mover but not forming part of the craft's main source of electrical power may be used whilst the craft is at sea to supply electrical services required for normal operational and habitable conditions provided that the requirements of Pt 16, Ch 2, 2.5 Main propulsion driven generators not forming part of the main source of electrical power 2.5.2 to Pt 16, 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 16, 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.