Ship’s large power equipment and processes utilise high forces. Electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical changes produce the desired operation.
Very high values of ship voltage, current, power, temperature, force, pressure etc. create the possibility of danger in an ship engineering system.
To minimise the safety risk to personnel and equipment a system must be designed and manufactured to the latest high standards and be correctly installed.
During its working life the equipment must be continuously monitored and correctly maintained by professionally qualified personnel who understand its operation and safety requirements.
Before attempting any electrical work, there are some basic safety precautions you must bear in mind.
The possible dangers arising from the misuse of electrical equipment are well known.
Electric shock and fire can cause loss of life and damage to equipment.
Regulations exist to control the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of electrical equipment so that danger is eliminated as far as possible.
Minimum acceptable standards of safety are issued by various bodies including national governments, international governmental conventions (e.9. SOLAS), national and international standards associations (e.g. BS and IEC), learned societies (e.9. IEE), classification societies (e.g. Lloyds), etc.
Where danger arises it is usually due to accident, neglect or some other contravention of the regulations.
