19/11/2023

Instruction for recovery of power generating plant after blackout

ENGINEER ON WATCH:

  1. Change over the control level to ER
  2. Inform duty officer by phone about blackout and estimated time for engine recovery
  3. Stop the main engine
  4. Sound engineer alarm
  5. Start stand by diesel generator
  6. Switch on synchronoscope and main circuit breaker running DG on main switchboard
  7. Restart all pumps in following sequence:

  • ME LO pump
  • ME SW cooling pump
  • ME FW cooling pump
  • Piston cooling pump
  • Boiler feed pump
  • Check whether ME AUX blower is on auto mode

CHIEF ENGINEER:

  1. Check all ME service system parameters and reset ME shut down button
  2. Ring “DEAD SLOW AHEAD” by telegraph
  3. Upon positive replay from bridge – start ME

ENGINEERS:

  1. Check and restart all AUX systems
  2. Check and restart the boiler
  3. Check all running pumps in engine room for leakage and proper temperature
  4. Restart A/C compressor; domestic fridge (ECR); A/C cooling pump

EL. ENGINEER:

  1. Investigate reason of blackout to avoid reocurrence
  2. Switch on ESB LINK circuit breaker
  3. Stop emergency generator
  4. Restart all consumer’s breakers

11/09/2023

PLC failure. The cargo crane does not start. Troubleshooting

In previous articles we looked at various problems with cargo cranes, this time a PLC failure error occurred and cargo crane does not start.

PLC failure. Cargo crane does not start

What to do in such situation and how to restore the operation of the cargo crane will be discussed in this article.

PLC failure alarm
The "PLC FAILURE ALARM" light is on

As usual, the first step is to refer to the Troubleshooting manual.

08/09/2023

The anemometer gives false readings. Troubleshooting

Greetings readers! Today we have a problem with the anemometer, which shows the wind speed and direction on the bridge. The readings were stuck in one direction (opposite to the wind). At this speed the wind is displayed correctly.

The anemometer gives false readings. Troubleshooting

What is an anemometer?

An anemometer (or anemoscope) is a weather vane that consists of a generator, a synchronous motor, bearings, gear guides, rings and a brush device. All this can be said in one name - transmitter.

07/09/2023

Transfer fuel pump does not start in auto mode. Most common problem

Today, the transfer fuel pump does not start in auto mode, while it works normally in manual mode (the “Auto / Manual” button on the pump control panel).

Transfer fuel pump does not start in auto mode. Most common problem

In this article, we will analyze the most common cause of automatic pumps that work with the help of timers and floats.

21/07/2023

Motor Fault on the crane. Troubleshooting

Greetings! Today we got a "Motor Fault" error on the cargo crane and the crane doesn't want to start. In the article we will consider the main actions of ETO when searching for and eliminating this malfunction.

Motor Fault on the Crane
Motor Fault on the Crane

The problem is quite large-scale and it can be anything related primarily to electric drives of both the main and auxiliary mechanisms of the crane. There was also a short-term accompanying signal in the ECR on AMS "low insulation 440V", which further narrowed the circle of my search.

19/07/2023

Failure of the remote automatic control of the main engine. Actions of the ETO

Greetings! In this article, we will consider the actions of the ETO in case of failure of the remote automatic control of the main engine (real situation).

Failure of the remote automatic control of the main engine. Actions of the ETO

The vessel is equipped with the AutoChief C20 Propulsion Control System, which is very often used for fixed-pitch MAN MC engines. Produced by Kongsberg Maritime.

AutoChief C20 Control Panel (ACP)
AutoChief C20 Control Panel (ACP)

18/07/2023

Fire alarm system Salwico Consilium. Troubleshooting

Greetings! In this article, we'll look at some of the problems with the Salwico Consilium fire system on a 10+ year old vessel and how to troubleshoot these issues.

Fire alarm system Salwico Consilium. Troubleshooting

In the official instructions for this system, you can find a lot of information about the problems that occur during the operation of the Salwico fire alarm. But today we will consider only some of them.

Any fire system on a ship is powered by two sources (main switchboard and emergency switchboard, usually 220V), and additional batteries (usually two 12V each, connected in series).

Attention! If you have an old Salwico Consilium fire system on your vessel, avoid turning it off completely, as this may cause it to fail to boot later.

The first problem that happened with this system was error No. 158 BATTERY CABLE / FUSE FAULT

19/04/2023

Procedure of restoring of power after black out on the vessel (example)

Vessel has 3 Main Diesel Generators; Power is supplied by one DG under normal operation at sea and in port. The other two DG is in place on 1st Standby and 2nd Standby accordingly. 

Black out test
Power is restored after a blackout in the following process: 

AFTER A POWER BLACK OUT, EMERGENCY GENERATOR IN AUTO STAND BY STARTS UP AUTOMATICALLY AND POWER CAN BE BACK UP BY EMERGENCY GENERATOR IN LESS THAN 15 SECONDS. 

(E/G is started by battery power. If it not starts automatically, we have to manually start by switching to "MANUAL" mode position and Push Engine "START BUTTON" switch.) 

INTERCONNECTION BREAKER WITH "MSB" IS SWITCH-OFF AND THE E/G BREAKER IS SWITCH-ON AUTOMATICALLY. POWER IS NOW SUPPLIED FROM EG "ESB". 

WITHIN SECONDS FROM BLACK OUT TiME, AFTER EMC'Y GEN. STARTED AND POWER IS SUPPLIED FROM E/G "ESB", THE 1ST STANDBY MAIN DG STARTS UP AUTOMATICALLY AND GET ON LOAD. 

IF THE 1ST STANDBY MAIN DG FAILS TO START AUTOMATICALLY THE 2ND STANDBY MAIN D/G STARTS UP AND TAKE ON LOAD AUTOMATICALLY. 

If both the standby Main Diesel Generator fails to start automatically, we have to start at engine side and take it on load manually. Check that the reserve main air bottle no.2 must always be full. (Proceed to manual starting as per Starting Sequence as posted).

WHEN THE MAIN DIESEL GENERATOR GET ON LOAD, THE EMERGENCY GENERATOR BREAKER TRIPS, INTERCONNECTION BREAKER "SWITCH-ON" AND "ESB" HAVING POWER FROM "MSB". 

MAIN POWER IS NOW RESTORED. AS POWER IS RESTORED ALL AUXILIARY MACHINERY/PUMPS RUNNING IN OPERATION BEFORE THE BLACK OUT STARTS UP AUTO-SEQUENCIALLY ACCORDING TO PRIORITY SETTING INTERVAL IN SECONDS. 

STOP EMERGENCY GENERATOR MANUALLY AND RESET TO AUTO-STANDBY. 

CHECK THE CAUSE OF THE POWER BLACKOUT AND RECTIFY. 

OPERATE OR PUT TO STANDBY THE OTHER MAIN D/G AS REQUIRED.

12/01/2022

English tests for electrical engineers with the answers

A list of the most common questions for electrical engineers (ETO) that are asked in crewing companies or when passing qualification testing. These questions and answers will also help you prepare for the CES test at a basic level.

English tests for electrical engineers with the answers

30/12/2021

Measuring insulation resistance on ships. Factors affecting Insulation Resistance

A part from the fact that good insulation resistance is an essential condition for maintaining service, the regular recording of insulation resistance values is undoubtedly the best method of detecting deterioration and of indicating when remedial action is desirable, or perhaps essential, in order to prevent complete failure.

Measuring insulation resistance on ships

Insulation resistance (IR) should accordingly be measured and recorded at regular intervals, the recording being preferably on a separate log-sheet for each important machine or circuit, so that each fresh reading can be compared with previous values and any downward trend immediately observed. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that, subject of course to reasonable minimum values being maintained, trends are more important than actual values; a single value is of comparatively little significance. The intelligent interpretation of results is therefore of great importance and a general appreciation of the factors involved is essential.