Emergency Generator Is A Source Of Electrical Power Which Supply Power To All Those Essential Services Required For The Ship's Safety And Navigation In Emergency Condition Like Loss Of Main Power Supply.
Q.1 What Are The Main Requirements Of Solas For Emergency Generator?
I) It Be Driven By Aprime Mover Which Consumes Fuel Having Flash Point Not Less Than 43 Deg C.
II) It Should Start And Connect Automatically To Main Switch Board (MSB) In Case Of Main Power Failure In Not More Than 45 Sec.
Q2. What Checks Is To Be Done Before Starting EG?
Checks Before Starting
A) Check Oil Level In The Engine Crankcase Is Normal.
B) Check Oil Level In The Diesel Oil Tank And Ensure That The Tank Outlet Valve To The Engine Is Open.
C) Check That The Air Supply Flaps Are Open.
D) Check That The Battery Selection Switch Is On 'Battery 1' Or 'Battery 2'.
E) Check The Belt Tension For The Cooling Air Fan.
Q3. Explain The Starting Procedure Of Emergency Generator?
The Emergency Generator Is Always Kept In A Stand By Mode (auto). When A Black Out Takes Place Due To Some Reason And The Stand By Main Generators Could Not Come On Load The Emergency Generator Will Start Automatically At Its Set Time And The Breaker Will Come On And Supply The Emergency Power To The Concern Places.
The Emergency Generator Are Tried Out Weekly For Their Normal Working Operations It Can Be Started By Two Means One By Battery Start And Other By Hydraulic Start. The Black Out Test Is Carried Once In 3 Months.
Procedures For Starting Emergency Generator
Starting On Manual Mode
A) Change Over The Manual / Auto Switch To Manual.
B) Press The 'Start' Button, And The Engine Starts
Starting On Auto
A) Ensure That The Manual / Auto Switch Is On Auto.
B) Turn The Normal / Test Key To Test Position. A Black Out Signal Is Initiated To The Emergency Switch Board.
C) The Emergency Generator Starts And Comes On Load.
Q4. What Should Be Checked During Running Operations Of EG?
Checks During Running
A) Check The Lube Oil Pressure For The Engine Is Normal.
B) Check That The Cylinder Head Temperature Is Within Limits.
C) Check For Any Abnormal Noise / Vibrations At The Engine / Alternator.
D) Check For Fuel / Lube Oil Leaks.
E) Check For Normal Voltage And Frequency.
Q5. How To Stop Emergency G/E & What Are The Post Stopping Checks?
A) Press The Stop Push Button On The Control Panel – The Engine Will Stop.
B) Change Over The Selector Switch Back To AUTO.
After The Generator Has Stopped Check The Battery Condition Check The Specific Gravity, Check The Charging Current Of The Battery Whether It Is Charging At Normal Current, And Check The Water Level. On Board Battery Maintenance Are Carried Out Weekly.