Troubleshooting Marine Switchgears and Controls

This publication examines the basic elements and controls that are incorporated into motor starter circuitry. It describes circuit measurement, electrical fault-finding techniques and the equipment used by marine engineers. It also looks at motor starter applications, types of marine motors and troubleshooting techniques. The text is extensively illustrated with component and circuit diagrams.

This publication should be used to enhance and supplement your knowledge and skills. It will provide familiarisation with a variety of electrical appliances that are part of, or associated with, marine starter safety and control circuits.

Interactive circuit simulations are available in the eBook version of this publication.

Ships have become increasingly automated, which has highlighted the inadequacies of existing education and training. Problems encountered with the application of automated systems, and the failures of automation and associated processor-based motor starters, are factors that will undoubtedly contribute to future marine accidents.

It is essential that marine engineers and ETOs have a good understanding of automated systems to maintain them in an efficient and safe operational condition.

This training package should be used to enhance and supplement your knowledge and skills. It will provide familiarisation with a variety of electrical appliances that are part of, or associated with, modern marine starter safety and control circuits.

This training package is appropriate for:

• Management level marine engineers
• operational level marine engineers
• electricians with a lack of experience
• engineering cadets
• electrical engineering cadets
• anyone who is starting to work with switchgear starters.

1. Basics of Marine Switchgear Starters
1.1 Basic Elements
1.2 Basic Circuits

2. Basic Measurements
2.1 Measuring a Circuit’s Potential Difference Using a Voltage Tester
2.2 Measuring a Circuit’s Potential Difference Using a Digital Multimeter
2.3 Measuring a Circuit’s Integrity Using a Digital Multimeter
2.4 Induction Motor Basics
2.5 Checking Stator Winding

3. Direct On Line (DOL) Motor Starters
3.1 Induction Motor Starting Characteristics
3.2 DOL Operating Principles
3.3 DOL Starter Operation Basics
3.4 Troubleshooting Techniques for DOL Starter Power and Control Circuits
3.5 DOL Starter Reversing
3.6 Protection and Monitoring Relays
3.7 DOL Starter Simulator with Incorporated Protection and Monitoring Relays

4. Star-Delta (Wye-Delta) Motor Starters
4.1 Starting Characteristics
4.2 Operating Principles
4.3 Star-Delta Starter Principles
4.4 Fault Finding Techniques
4.5 Star-Delta Starter Application
4.6 Star-Delta Reversing Starter
4.7 Motor Starters Troubleshooting Chart