Power Factor Correction Explained

Reduced Demand Charges

Increased Load Carrying
Capabilities In Existing Circuits
Improved Voltage
Reduced Power System Losses
Reduced Carbon Footprint
 Insulated neutral system

Advantages
This system avoids the risk of loss of essential services e.g. steering gear
If the neutral was earthed and a short circuit on one phase causes the
fuse in that phase to blow the system would now be singled phasing and
may burn out motors
In an insulated neutral, one earth fault does not interrupt the supply but
an earth leakage detection system will give warning.
Low earth fault currents in insulated systems gives a much less fire risk.
Disadvantages
On the insulated system the voltage to earth is 1.73 Vph e.g. 440v vs
250v
Tracing an earth fault is more difficult because although selective tripping
may trace the earthed circuit, the actual position on the circuits may still
be difficult to locate. Resonant or intermittent faults in say a contactor
solenoid or a transformer with an insulated neutral can cause voltages to
be magnified to say 4 times the normal voltage to earth (250v x 4 =
1000v)
 Shaft alternator
Shaft driven generating system
Methods of drive
Belt or chain driven
Direct coupling engaging the
propeller shaft
Power taken from the main
gearbox.
Power taken from the free end of
the engine
 Advantages
Saving on fuel costs, allows efficient use of heavy rather
than gas oil
reduced maintenance costs
Capital saving on reduced number of auxiliary sets
Reduced space and weight
Reduction in noise
Disadvantages
Power available for propulsion reduced
Capitol cost of plant
Auxiliaries required for manoeuvring, although some
medium speed plants are capable of manoeuvring with shaft
alternators and C.P. system
Complicated constant speed or frequency gear required with
slow speed engines
 What is a brush less alternator?

A brushless alternator is composed of two

sections: main alternator and the smaller exciter.
The exciter has stationary field coils and a rotating
armature (power coils). The main alternator uses
the opposite configuration with a rotating field and
stationary armature. A bridge rectifier, called the
rotating rectifier assembly, is mounted on a plate
attached to the rotor. Neither brushes nor slip rings
are used, which reduces the number of wearing
parts. The main alternator has a rotating field as
described above and a stationary armature (power
generation windings).
 How is the excitation achieved in this?
Varying the amount of current through the
stationary exciter field coils varies the 3-phase
output from the exciter. This output is rectified
by a rotating rectifier assembly, mounted on
the rotor, and the resultant DC supplies the
rotating field of the main alternator and hence
alternator output. The result of all this is that
a small DC exciter current indirectly controls
the output of the main alternator.