Emergency Generator on ship

• “Black out" is a condition considered similar to a “dead

ship" condition. It is a condition under which the 
main propulsion plant, boilers and auxiliaries are not in
operation and also there is no stored energy available to
restore them. This is the time for the emergency generator
to take over.
• The emergency generator has its own prime mover and
fuel supply.
• It is located outside the main and auxiliary machinery
space (This is to ensure that at the time of any emergency
such as fire or flooding, the switchboard is not affected
and is easily accessible and that any such emergency does
not lead to loss of lighting in escape routes and other
important navigation control areas.)
• It has own switchboard near vicinity. 
  
• It is provided with independent means of automatically
starting (by air or battery) to ensure immediate run up
following a main power failure and repeated starts of
at least 3 times, and further attempt can be made
within the 30 minutes.
• Adequate and independent supply of fuel with a flash
point of not less than 43 °C
• Must be able to be started in cold condition up to zero
(0 °C)
• For cold weather, JCW system must be treated with
anti-freeze agent, and heating arrangement provided.
 Maintenance
1. Change of Engine Sump Oil: 
It is important to check the oil level in the sump regularly.
Since the emergency generator is kept on auto mode,
which ensures the generator starts and comes on load
automatically, it is necessary that before starting the
engine for operation, oil level is checked on regularly basis.
The condition of the oil will be known during this period
and if the oil is having carbon or soot particles, change of
complete oil system needs to be done. The running hours
for changing of engine oil depends on the manufacturer,
the engine make and the oil grade in use. Normally it is
done between 250-500 hrs.
The oil changing period must be cut by half when the fuel
used in generator is more than 0.5% to 1% sulfur.
2. Clean Air Cleaner: 
The combustion air for the engine is passed through an air filter,
which can be of following types:
1. oil bath air cleaner
2. dry type air cleaner (cartridge or dust collector).
It is important to clean the air filter at correct intervals of time as delay
will lead to clogging and less air going in the engine. This will reduce
the efficiency of the engine and increase the thermal parameters.
When using dry cartridge, ensure to replace them at intervals stated
by the maker. Normal replacement schedule is one year or after 5-7
cleanings.

3. Check Water Separator: 

Some emergency generators are provided with water separator to
prevent mixing of water with fuel. Check the level of water and make
sure it is below the marked level and regularly drained off. This is to
be done to avoid rust and corrosion of fuel line devices and to avoid
incomplete combustion.
4. Check Electrolyte in the Battery:
 A battery is used in one of the
 starting methods of the emergency generator. The electrolyte level
in the battery must be checked at regular intervals either by inserting
a level stick or by checking the water level in the level tester cap (if
provided). Use distilled water to make up for the low level.
5. Check Alarms and Shutdowns: 
All the safety devices and alarms fitted in the emergency generator
must be checked and tested regularly. Generator with V-belts have
additional alarm which will be sounded in the event of belt failure
and operated by idler pulley.
6. Check V belt Tension: 
When V belt is fitted, inspect the same for cracks and damages.
Renew the belt if damage/ cracking appearance is more. To check the
belt tension, press the belt by thumb in midway of the pulleys and
check the inward deflection in mm. It should not be more than 10-15
mm depending upon the make of the generator.
7. Clean Oil Filter Cartridge: 
The emergency generator is provided with various oil
 filters such as by pass filter, centrifuge filter, lube oil
filter, fuel feed pump filter etc. These filters need to
be cleaned or renewal of filter cartridge is to be
carried out as per the maker’s instruction or oil
condition.
8. Check Valve Clearance: 
The tappet clearance of the inlet and exhaust valve
should be checked at running hours stated in the
maintenance section of the generator’s manual. Also
ensure the engine is cold before taking the tappet
clearance
 SOLAS Regulations for Emergency Generator of the ship

• All passenger and cargo vessels shall be provided with

emergency sources of electrical power, for essential services
under emergency conditions.
• Emergency generator and emergency switchboard of the ship
should be located above the uppermost continuous deck,
away from machinery space, behind the collision bulkhead.
• The main switchboard of the ship should not interface with
supply, control, and distribution of emergency power.
• Emergency source of power should be capable of operating
with a list of up to 22 ½ ° and a trim of up to 10 °
• The generator should have independent fuel supply having 
flash point not less than 43°C.
• Emergency generator should be capable of giving power for the
period of 18 hours for the cargo ship and 36 hours for the
passenger ship.
• Emergency generator should start at 0°C and if temperature fall
below this then there should be heating arrangement.
• Emergency generator should come on load automatically within
45s after the failure of main power supply.
• If the emergency generator fails to come on load the indication
should be given to ECR.
• Emergency generator should have two different starting
arrangement
• Primary may be the battery, should fully charge all time and
capable of providing 3 consecutive Start.
• Secondary may be pneumatic or hydraulic, capable of providing
3 consecutive starts within 30 mint, and 1st start within 12 mint.
 Procedure for starting emergency generator when black out occurs

• Normally emergency generator cut in automatically

when main power fails
• Starting is initiated by start up relay
• Falling of frequency or voltage of Main power, cause the
start up relay to operate generator starting equipment
• If this system fails, after switching the MODE selector to
Manual (Local) position, generator can be started
manually by means of Back up starting equipment
within 30 minutes of transitional emergency power
battery lighting
 Procedure for Automatic Start
• For automatic start, we know that there is a breaker which
connects Emergency Switch Board (ESB) and Main Switch Board
 (MSB); and there is also an interlock provided due to which the
emergency generator and Main power of the ship cannot be
supplied together.
• Therefore, we simulate by opening the breaker from the tie line,
which can be done from the MSB or the ESB panel.
• After opening the breaker, the emergency generator starts
automatically with the help of batteries and will supply essential
power to machinery and pumps connected to ESB.
• For stopping the generator, the breaker is closed again and due to
the interlock the generator becomes off load.
• Now again put the switch to manual mode to stop the generator.
• Press stop and the generator will stop.
 Procedure for Hydraulic Start

• Out the switch in manual mode as stated above and check

the pressure gauge for sufficient oil pressure.
• Open the valve from accumulator to generator.
• Push the spring loaded valve and the generator should
start.
• Check voltage and frequency.
• Keep the generator running for 10-15 min and check the
exhaust temp and other parameters.
• Check the sump level
• For stopping, use the manual stop button from the panel.
• After stopping the generator, pressurize the hydraulic
accumulator to desired pressure.
• Close the valve from accumulator to generator.
Spring starter for emergency generator
Procedure for Spring Start