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sebastianfernandes@pppgroup.co.in
Abstract— There is an evolution in electrical power All devices are prone to failure or malfunction when
management of Ships and Submarines. Limited knowledge exposed to one or more power quality problems.
exists on power quality aspects and requirement on ships to
the same extent as similar applications for offshore and
power island systems. The Harmonics, Power factor,
Transients, grounding/bonding, ElectroMagnetic A. Harmonics
Interference have become the deciding factor in defining
the power quality onboard in addition to the frequency and
voltage disturbances. However now It has become possible Fig. 1 Power Quality concerns
to model the power distribution using higher end analytical
tools which can predict fault levels, harmonics, generator It must be understood that two different equipments
stability. Various instruments make it possible the will perform differently in the same power environment
measurement of the Power quality. The modern vessels use and a good example would be a controller and motor.
Static Frequency Conversions, Soft Starters, Harmonic and Where the motor could be very robust to quality issues in
Line filters, Auto Power Factor Controllers. Sophisticated the Power Supply, the controller would be quite
Battery Monitoring is possible onboard Submarines for susceptible making the integrated system sensitive to
very accurate evaluation of cells and DC power system.
power quality. Further such equipment can affect the
harmonics, power factor and be interference to the
Keywords— Power systems onboard, Power Quality system. Considerable knowhow and facility is available
Onboard, Static Frequency Convertors, Battery in our country on dealing with the EMI and EMC issue.
Monitoring System, Analysis’ of onboard Power Supply. The Navy has its own expertise and it being a vast topic
itself, the authors have decided to elaborate on other
aspects governing the Power Quality. Though it must be
I. INTRODUCTION understood that the EMI/EMC plays vital role in Power
The deployment of modern warfare equipments has Quality.
surfaced the Power Quality Challenges onboard vessel
while it is under refit or overhaul. While the new trends A. Terminology used in defining Power Quality.
in Power Electronics has made it possible for enhanced When the Power System quality is being defined a
Power to Volume ratios, efficiency, easy maintenance terminology is used where the quantification of various
and better versatility. Recently made available expertise parameters affecting the quality is possible. This also
and tools enable a designer to undertake contingency helps to define the perimeter for safe operation of the
analysis and user defined contingencies onboard equipment.
electrical Power System. One can predict the various
1) Bonding: This term is used where a common level
challenges like Harmonics of higher order (up to 100),
of potential is defined as reference. Boding of two
fault co ordination and also map an onboard electrical
conductive parts also ensures safe passage of current in
system. It is possible by design to decide on inter-
case of fault conditions. This term is used as ‘Earth
tripping and load transfers. Various practical solutions
bonding” or bonding to earth potential. It is primarily
are then made available using insertion of filters,
done for safety reason.
modifying the input stages of non linear loads, use of
IPQC technology incorporating hybrid switching 2) Capacitance and Coupling: This is a
techniques and providing Soft starters and switches. This reactance offered for a signal from one conductive part
effectively avoids inrush of large currents, reduces fault to another when insulation exists between them. And
currents, offers faster changeover time and early the process by which such signal is transmitted is
clearance of the faults thus avoiding large down time. called coupling. Normally unwarranted high frequency
signals termed as noise are coupled to other circuits
through the capacitance of the circuit as its physical
II. POWER QUALITY property. Capacitance between two conductive parts
The quality of power onboard is defined at the source can be made infinitely small but it may not be
and consumer end at present. It is in terms of limits or completely eliminated.
boundaries beyond which an electrical equipments
3) Crest factor: This is the ratio of the peak value to
performance or life is at threat. Generally SOR
the RMS value of the waveform. It is an indication of
prescribes the limits of only voltage and frequency
distortion in the waveform due to the load.
deviations for short and long term. However the concern
for Power Quality in general will be as per Fig. 1