In addition to the main power provided by the main generator, the ship also has an emergency power source. SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1 regulation 43 (SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1/43) requires the following requirements for an on-board emergency power supply, including emergency batteries and emergency generators.

1. It must have a self-contained emergency power supply that can provide three hours of lighting for each muster point and landing site. Typically, this refers to 24V DC lighting provided by the common emergency battery on board. a special room for the battery, as well as a battery for the radio. Lighting provided by this battery group includes emergency lighting next to the life raft, emergency lighting on the bridge nautical chart, emergency generator engine room control room and main switchboard. Under normal conditions, it is powered by the emergency switchboard, and only in emergency cases is directly powered by the battery.



Emergency Battery

2. Other important places can provide 18 hours of lighting, which means the power of an emergency generator. With the exception of the emergency battery DC emergency lighting mentioned above, other emergency lighting is provided by the emergency generator, more specifically the emergency switchboard. the main generator, and in case of an emergency there is an emergency generator.



Emergency Generator

3. SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1, regulation 43 (SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1/43) requires a few more days for emergency generators on board so that the power source can automatically start within 45 seconds. after a power failure and restore engine power within 30 minutes after a power outage. The emergency power distribution board must be located in the same location as the emergency generator. Generally, when generating emergency power, the emergency power distribution board cannot be located in the same location as the emergency battery. As mentioned above, a separate room is provided for general ship's emergency batteries, and the entire emergency power supply system, including the automatic start of the emergency generator, must be checked regularly.

4. As for the emergency battery, it does not need water and maintenance, so under normal circumstances, as long as it is fully charged, there is no problem. As a rule, it is sufficient to carry out a switching test. the service life is reached, as a rule, ten years. On the replacement of the entire emergency battery. For emergency generators, there are special rules for testing them, as shown in the figure below:



Test cycle and special responsible person

The emergency generator on board is checked once a week by a dedicated engineer, usually a second engineer, and requirements arise during testing. In fact, there are some special requirements in SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1, regulation 44 (SOLAS chapter Ⅱ-1/44), because these requirements are minimal and not detailed enough to cope with the increasingly stringent psc check, it is necessary to so much the better:

①.The emergency generator room is clean, the cooling piping system has no water leaks, and the thermal insulation material of the outer smoke exhaust pipe is intact;



Insulation intact

②. The sulfur content of the fuel in the fuel tank is less than 0.1%, and the amount of fuel is sufficient to ensure continuous operation for 18 hours. Generally, this is one of the key points of inspection.

③. Check if the fuel tank quick shutoff valve works well. There is a quick-closing valve at the outlet of the original tank of the emergency generator, which should ensure its operation. This is also one of the key points. inspection points make a pillar.



Quick-closing valve at the outlet of the fuel tank, keep it normally open

④. Engineers are familiar with operating procedures and load testing procedures. The emergency generator site should contain operating instructions for starting the emergency generator in the following ways:

A boat equipped with two sets of starter batteries must be started with each set of batteries, and a boat equipped with a separate battery and manual hydraulic starter, batteries and hydraulic starter batteries are in good condition, check frequently to make sure the starter batteries are in in good condition, the health rate exceeds 80%, the charge level exceeds 80%, and the life of a typical maintenance-free battery is 3 to 5 years.



Two sets of starter batteries



Generator start panel

As one of the important emergency devices on board, the emergency generator must always ensure its normal operation. Of course, the same applies to the emergency battery. Do you understand the emergency power supply on board? Welcome to leave messages and comments to communicate with me.