Why is an Emergency Generator / Emergency Switch Board required?
When Main Generator fails, it creates a Emergency situation – “Dead Ship or Blackout” condition
For safety of the ship, crew and the cargo- Emergency power supply is required to power the essential services
This emergency power is supplied by emergency switchboard which gets its power from diesel driven emergency generator
Where should an Emergency Generator / Emergency Switch Board be Located?
To ensure that at the time of any Emergency such as Fire or Flooding, EG & ESB are not affected and they are easily accessible, they should be located as mentioned below:
Outside the machinery space
Above the load waterline
On the upper most continuous deck
Not forward of the collusion bulkhead
What are the Services / Equipments that should be powered by Emergency Generator?
The emergency generator must provide power for the following essential service/equipments:
One sea water pump connected to emergency bilge suction
One Main Fire Pump
Emergency Fire Pump
Bilge Pump
One Steering Gear
Water tight Doors
Fire Detection and Fire Fighting Equipments
Emergency Lighting for occupied areas and machinery spaces
Navigational Lights
Navigational Equipments
Alarm System
Control Devices of Main Machinery
Communication System , etc
Modes of Starting an Emergency Generator
As per SOLAS requirement, at least two modes of starting an emergency generator should be available.
(i) Battery Start
(ii) Hydraulic Start
Starting Test of Emergency Generator
Every Week –Check whether it starts on Battery Mode & Run it unloaded
Every Month – Check whether it starts on Manual (Hydraulic) Mode
Every Month – Check whether it starts on Automatic Mode & also check whether it comes on load automatically
Procedure for Battery Start
1.Go to the emergency generator room and find the panel for emergency generator.
2.Put the switch on the “test” mode (from “automatic” mode).
3.The generator will start automatically on battery, but will not come on load.
4.Check voltage and frequency in the meter.
5.Keep the generator running for 10-15 min and check the exhaust temp and other parameters.
6.Check the L.O sump level.
7.For stopping the generator, put the switch on “manual” mode and press stop button on the panel
Procedure for Manual (Hydraulic) Start
1.Put the switch in “manual” mode (from “automatic” mode
2.Check the pressure gauge on Hydraulic Accumulator for sufficient Oil Pr.
3.Open the valve from accumulator to hydraulic start motor of the generator.
4.Push the spring loaded valve and to start the generator.
5.Check voltage and frequency.
6.Keep the generator running for 10-15 min and check the exhaust temp and other parameters.
7.Check the sump level
8.For stopping, use the manual stop button on the panel.
9.After stopping the generator, pressurize the hydraulic accumulator to desired pressure.
10.Close the valve from accumulator to hydraulic start motor of the generator.
Procedure for Automatic Start
1.On the MSB Panel locate the ESB Breaker
2.On the ESB Panel locate the MSB Breaker
3.MSB and ESB are connected through these breakers.
4.There is also an interlock provided, due to which the Emergency Generator and Main Generators cannot supply power together.
5.Therefore, we SIMULATE by OPENING the Breaker from the tie line, which can be done from the MSB or the ESB panel.
6.After opening the breaker, the emergency generator starts automatically with the help of batteries and comes on load automatically and will supply essential power to machinery and pumps connected to ESB.
7.For taking the emergency generator off load, the breaker is closed again and due to the interlock the generator comes off load.
8.For stopping the generator put the switch to manual mode.
9.Press stop and the generator will stop