Health and Safety Executive Information Document

HSE 730/11

TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN

SHIPBUILDING AND SHIP REPAIRING

CONTENTS OF INFORMATION DOCUMENT

Paras Heading
1-3 FOREWORD
4-8 INTRODUCTION
9-41 Temporary distribution of electricity
10-13 Primary distribution equipment and installation
14-15 Dockside distribution
16-18 Protective equipment and switchgearProtective equipment and
switchgear
19-22 Generators
23 Liaison with supply authority
24 Shore to ship electrical distribution
24-27 Planning and design of the temporary electrical installation
28-29 Distribution cables and connections
30-31 Electrical supply requirements
32-35 Provision on board the vessel
36-41 Use of vessel's own electrical supplies
42-65 Lighting requirements
42-46 Introduction and definitions
47-50 Normal duty lighting equipment and circuits
51-53 Safe installation of normal duty lighting circuits
54-57 Lighting festoons
58 Confined spaces
59-61 Maintenance of normal duty lighting equipment
62-65 Temporary lighting equipment for use in potentially flammable
atmospheres
66-85 Portable and transportable electrical equipment
66-67 Introduction and definition
68-76 Supply and loading considerations
77-85 Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment
86-91 Testing and maintenance of the temporary electrical installation
APPENDIX 1 References
References Technical notes on residual current devices and reduced low voltage
systems
FOREWORD

1 The guidance in this document addresses the provisions made for temporary
electrical installations used in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries. It
contains internal guidance which has been made available to the public. The
guidance is considered good practice but is not compulsory. You may find it useful
in deciding what you need to do to comply with the law. However, the guidance may
not be directly applicable in all circumstances and any queries should be directed to
the appropriate enforcing authority.

2 The guidance is intended to:

(1) clarify some of the practical issues involved;

(2) advise on policies which may be employed to provide safe systems of

work in relation to danger from electricity; and

(3) assist in the development of standards of electrical equipment and

installations for use in shipbuilding and ship repair.

3 The Health and Safety Executive would welcome comments on this guidance
from shipyard operators or any other interested parties.

INTRODUCTION

4 During the course of work in shipbuilding and ship-repair yards it is likely that
a temporary electrical supply will be required to supplement the build and repair
programmes. An electricity supply is needed for the operation of equipment such as
welding apparatus, extraction systems, and other electrically powered plant and
tools.

5 It is essential that the installed electrical system is safe and without risks to
health during operation, use and maintenance. The arduous nature of the industry
imposes a significant burden on the condition of the temporary electrical installations
used in shipbuilding and repair, this will need to be borne in mind when planning and
designing the electrical system.

6 Recommendations described in this guidance reflect good practice which

should be followed in the specification, design, installation, use and maintenance of
the electrical system to provide a safe standard for temporary electrical services.
Furthermore, particular emphasis is given to planning activities to ensure the
integrity and safety of the system during the lifetime of a build and repair programme
regardless of its duration.

7 A further objective is to give guidance on the practical aspects of legislative

requirements, particularly of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, with regard to
electrical systems used in shipbuilding and repair.
8 Whilst this guidance does not specifically deal with ignition hazards from
cathodic protection systems on jetties and ships, it is recommended that the good
practice outlined in BS 7361: Part 1: 1991 Code of Practice for land and marine
applications is followed. In particular, ship repairers intending to work on vessels
which have carried flammable cargoes should be aware that switching off the
cathodic protection does not affect the hazard at non-degassed holds. To safeguard
against ignition complete electrical isolation or insulation between ship and shore is
required.

TEMPORARY DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY

9 This is the cabling system and equipment installed to distribute electricity to

points of use at the various locations within the building or repair facility during the
construction or repair process. The temporary electrical installation is always
removed on completion of the work on site as it is then no longer required. Removal
may begin on completion and commissioning of all or parts of the vessel's
permanent, fixed installation. Although the installation may be only temporary, the
harsh conditions at the building or repair facility require that it should be to a high
standard. Equipment must be adequately protected against damage and
contamination.

Primary distribution equipment and installation

10 Electrical supply distribution in shipbuilding and repair yards is typically

arranged in a ring main circuit which feeds substations located in positions adjacent
to building berths and construction facilities, referred to as dockside substations.
The electrical supply to these substations may be at voltage ratings in the range 400
volts to 11,000 volts 3 phase and neutral.

11 The cables of these ring main circuits are typically of the steel wire armoured
type which are further protected by placing in ducts, or by similar measures to
prevent inadvertent damage by dockside vehicles or plant.

12 At the substation, the neutral of an incoming 400 volt cable may be

connected directly to the system earth such that separate neutral and protective
conductors are utilised throughout the yard's installation. This arrangement may be
classified as a TN-S system in accordance with BS 7671: 1992 Requirements for
electrical installations (see Appendix 1 para 1 for further details), where the wire
armouring of the cables supplying the installations may form the protective
conductor.

13 The function of these substations is for supply transformation, switching and

isolation. The equipment in the substation comprises protective apparatus and
switchgear, in addition to supply transformers. The transformers rated at up to
1000 kVA step down the high voltage input to give supply distribution at a nominal
400 volts. Clearly, where the ring main circuit supply is at 400 volts the requirement
for further transformation may be unnecessary, except for 110 volt or lower voltage
supplies.

Dockside distribution
14 Distribution of the electrical supply for work at the building berth or
construction facility should be arranged from these dockside substations.

15 The distribution voltages to the working areas from the dockside substations
are normally at 400 volts ac 3 phase and neutral, 230 volts ac single phase and 110
volts ac single phase. The system protection for these electrical supplies may
include devices such as miniature circuit-breakers and sensitive earth leakage
protection which are typically housed in the distribution substation.

Protective equipment and switchgear

16 Protective equipment refers to items such as fuses, earth fault relays and
overcurrent relays that operate under overload and fault conditions. The rating of
protective equipment and switchgear must be selected to embrace the worse case
fault conditions which are anticipated at that point in the electrical installation. It is
normal for this equipment to be specified to a national and international product
standard, for example, the BS EN 60947 series Specification for low-voltage
switchgear and control gear.

17 Selection of this type of protective apparatus and switchgear may help to

mitigate against the need to perform detailed system analysis of prospective fault
levels and protective discrimination. It is, however, the responsibility of technically
competent persons in shipbuilding and repair yards to provide adequate setting and
discrimination of this equipment to prevent danger arising from use of the temporary
electrical installation.

18 The electrical system should be designed so as to avoid installation and

maintenance work whilst live, unless this is essential.

Generators

19 If a mains voltage supply is not available and an ac generating set is to be

used during the construction or repair process particular care is needed to ensure
that it is installed safely:

(1) generators need to be earthed, by bonding the neutral to the frame

and connecting to earth;

(2) the impedance of the bonding needs to be low enough to ensure

correct operation of protective devices (fuses, circuit breakers etc); and

(3) sensitive earth fault protection may be necessary if earthing conditions

are difficult.

20 Portable generators which are used in a particular location for short-time work
(eg less than one day) need not be earthed provided that they are only used in
conjunction with Class II (double insulated or all-insulated) tools or apparatus.
21 Small 110 volt portable generators need not be earthed but should be bonded
if all the equipment in use is of double insulated construction or if they supply only
one item of 'earthed' equipment.

22 Generators must be connected and operated in such a way that operation in

parallel with the public supply system is not possible unless prior agreement has
been obtained in writing from the electricity supplier. (See the Electricity
Association's Recommendation for the connection of embedded generating plant to
the requirements of the electrical companies' distribution system (Appendix 1
paragraph 2).

Liaison with supply authority

23 When use is made of electrical systems and services under the control of
other duty holders, such as a port authority, adequate information which details the
available protective apparatus and any restrictions on the electrical supply, should
be available to allow the temporary electrical installation to be used safely.

Shore to ship electrical distribution

Planning and design of the temporary electrical installation

24 At the time of design and planning of the build or repair programme it is

necessary to balance work activity and loading requirements by distributing the
electrical supply to the vessel under construction or repair to pre-defined areas
where work is to take place. This approach, should make full use of distribution
points which are located in close proximity to the building berth or construction
facilities.

25 In grouping and segregating the electrical supply for the various work
activities, eg welding supplies located in one area, it is recommended that electrical
supply cables are located away from areas where damage is foreseeable. This may
involve:

(1) the use of ducting in the berthside;

(2) additional protection by covers or barriers; and

(3) arranging the cable runs on the side of the vessel under repair or
construction to where plant access (craneage, etc) is restricted.

Figures 1 and 2 show practical examples of cable protection for work in shipyards.

26 Additional factors which should be considered when planning and designing a

temporary electrical installation for a build or repair programme are:

(1) allow for extension of the system which minimises disruption and can
be carried out safely;
 (2) the capability of the electrical equipment;

(3) the need for maintenance during the lifetime of the programme; and

(4) the placing of cables and distribution outlets on decks and gangways
to prevent obstruction.

27 It is recommended that the supply is derived from an onshore source where

protection and isolation is available. The use of isolators which are lockable in the
'off' position should be employed as part of the safe systems of work on the
electrical system in the yard.

Distribution cables and connections

28 All connections should be mechanically and electrically suitable for use,

including protection against dust, the ingress of water and the effects of corrosion in
salt-enriched environments. For example, plug and socket assemblies which
comply with BS 4343:1968 Specification for industrial plugs, socket-outlets and
couplers for ac and dc supplies, or equivalent standards.

29 Electrical supplies, at 400 volts or above, should be made using flexible

armoured cables. These should incorporate a neutral conductor where necessary
to provide compatibility of shore-based and vessel systems when running auxiliary
machinery. An assessment of the voltage which may occur at extraneous
conductive parts under earth fault conditions should be made and earth leakage
and/or insulation monitoring devices provided as necessary.

Electrical supply requirements

30 Electrical equipment used on board the vessel during building and repair,
including plant and tools, is likely to operate at various supply voltages which may be
obtained by direct supply from a dockside substation or by subsequent
transformation via a distribution point. A restriction on auxiliary machinery and plant
operation may occur if 50 Hz and 60 Hz systems are necessary.

31 However, it may be permissible to operate 60 Hz apparatus safely from a 50

Hz supply providing an adequate derating factor is applied. For example, equipment
requiring 440 volt 60 Hz should be energised at a maximum of 380V from a 50 Hz
mains supply.
 Provision of electrical supplies on board the vessel

32 On most vessels it is usual to find a shore connection box which is capable of

adapting flexible supply cables to allow supply distribution for lighting and other
equipment through the vessel's own power distribution system. The shore
connection box will, in general, comprise all the necessary equipment for protecting
the ship's electrical system beyond this point and may include phase sequence
checking of the shore-based supply.

33 It is strongly recommended that the shore connection box is used as the

connection point and distribution to the various work activities in the vessel be made
through the ship's power distribution system. This approach may allow for diversity
of supply to electrical equipment in the vessel or systems which have been assigned
as essential for the safe progression and completion of the build and repair
programme.

34 An earth conductor solidly connected to the earth of the shore-based

electrical supply system should be taken to the vessel and terminated at an
appropriate earth connection adjacent to the power connection point. It is good
practice to provide secondary safety earths in this manner, which should be securely
fastened to the vessel's steel hull. As a rule of thumb there should be one such
connection for each 50 m of vessel or fabricated construction.

35 The earth conductors should be of the same size and rating as the phase
conductors to ensure currents may be safely discharged in the event of a fault
condition.

Use of vessel's own electrical supplies

36 In general, exclusive use of the vessel's own sources of electrical supply is

not normally practiced during repair or construction work. This is because of the
potential for incompatibility between voltage ratings of on-board apparatus and
equipment used in the temporary electrical installation.

37 For this reason the approach described at paragraphs 30 and 31 should be

taken where on-board apparatus is derated to attain compatibility with the onshore
supply.

38 A further shortcoming when making use of the vessel's own electrical supplies
is the available knowledge and expertise with regard to the full extent of the vessel's
sources of electrical supply. Clearly, work should only proceed on this basis if there
is sufficient information available to the yard operators from the ship's crew, for
example in the form of diagrams, schematics and details of protection, to allow for
safe working during the repair activities.

39 There are likely to be situations where use of shipboard supplies may be

adopted when shipboard equipment and machinery is commissioned after re-fit,
repair or installation, this may include computer apparatus. Also, emergency lighting
systems may be employed during repair work on a vessel to improve safe working
arrangements with an adequate level of illumination in holds.
40 The vessel's own emergency lighting is battery supplied. These batteries are
trickle charged during normal operation of a generator set to provide between 4-12
hours emergency supply.

41 Further details of on-board installations can be obtained from the reference at

Appendix 1 paragraph 3.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS

Introduction and definitions

42 Adequate lighting is essential during the build or repair programme. It may be

used inside fabrications which are located in construction halls or in the
repair/construction areas, and can be used to supplement fixed permanent lighting.

43 Precautions must be taken against the danger of electric shock and barriers
should be used as appropriate to prevent secondary effects such as falls which may
result from an electric shock injury. In addition, safeguards should be used in cases
of failure of the lighting and from the dangers of electrical fires and explosions which
may include earth leakage monitoring.

44 For the purpose of this guidance, normal duty lighting circuits are those used
to illuminate working areas which do not contain a potentially explosive atmosphere
due to, for example solvent vapours, or escape of gas from welding equipment.

45 Normal duty lighting circuits are installed to provide adequate illumination to

allow work and movement to proceed safely during the construction or repair of a
vessel. The installation should include supports and fittings to allow cables to be
routed in areas which minimise obstruction and inadvertent mechanical damage.

46 Hazardous area lighting is discussed at paragraphs 62-65 of this guidance.

Normal duty lighting equipment and circuits

47 Lighting circuits are normally, although not universally, supplied from an ac

source and good installation practice recommends that as safe a level of voltage is
used as practicable. It is strongly recommended that 110 volts ac single phase be
used, obtained from a double-wound transformer to BS 4363: 1991 Specification for
distribution assemblies for electricity supplies for construction and building sites, in
which the secondary windings are centre tapped to earth, ie the shock voltage to
earth under fault conditions is restricted to 55 volts.

48 This approach has evolved from assessment of the risks of injury to yard
personnel from electric shock and consideration of illumination levels in working
areas. It should be noted that voltage levels of less than 110 volts which would
provide an even greater level of safety are not normally practicable in shipbuilding
and repair due to loads and lengths of supply cables. Lower voltage, eg 25 volt
handlamps may however be necessary in confined conducting locations, supplied
from a step-down transformer close to the point of use.
49 In circumstances which require direct current supplies for lighting purposes,
typically older installations and equipment, the recommended supply voltage is 110
volts dc.

50 Recommended values for illumination of an area of the construction facility or

vessel may be obtained from the reference at Appendix 1 paragraph 4.

Safe installation of normal duty lighting circuits

51 A principal safeguard to allow work to proceed on the vessel is that the design
of the temporary electrical installation includes provision for diversity of supply to
lighting circuits. The circuits should be arranged such that failure of a single element
in the electrical distribution scheme will not result in the 'blacking out' of an entire
ship area.

52 For each area this may be achieved by having a minimum of 2 lighting

festoons supplied from separate sources. However, a number of approaches have
been adopted in construction and repair yards which may be used to achieve an
acceptable standard of lighting diversity:

(1) supplementary use of the vessel's own emergency lighting system;

(2) 'safety' lights installed at each hold, tank or other space which is not
serviced by the vessel's emergency lighting system;

(3) adequately protected handlamps which are constructed in accordance

with the reference at Appendix 1 paragraph 5.

53 Handlamps with a trailing lead may be acceptable providing flexible cables

are adequately protected against inadvertent mechanical damage throughout their
entire length. It is preferred that individual handlamps should operate at voltages of
24 volts ac, or below, and are of double or all-insulated construction.

Lighting festoons

54 Flexible pvc or elastomeric insulated cables are widely employed for lighting
festoons. These cables should be run in the manner described at paragraphs 24
and 29.

55 Fittings for use with tungsten filament lamps, typically 100 watt rated, for
normal duty lighting should preferably be constructed in polycarbonate or a similar
impact resistent attached wire guard, wherever they are accessible or may be
subject to foreseeable mechanical damage. The wire guard should either be
adequately earthed or fitted in such a way that there is no possibility of it becoming
charged either by contact with live parts or by leakage currents under fault
conditions.
56 It is strongly recommended that only festoon lighting systems with
lampholders bonded or moulded to the cable are used and, where necessary, the
bulb is protected by a wire cage or other means of protection.

57 This standard of lighting festoons are recommended for normal duty

applications only.

Confined spaces

58 The use of lighting circuits supplied at a safe extra low voltage, normally not
exceeding 50 volts ac or 120 volts dc, is recommended for working in confined
spaces, for example, inside double bottoms where workers adopt a cramped
position and contact with temporary electrical equipment may occur. The risk of
damage to cables and equipment in such spaces is increased and consideration
should be given to safe systems of work, including reduced voltage levels, to prevent
danger.

Maintenance of normal duty lighting equipment

59 On completion of the build or repair programme all cables, including those of

the lighting circuits, should be removed and their condition thoroughly examined.

60 Interim inspection of supply cables at regular intervals during the lifetime of

the installation should be undertaken as an essential part of the preventive
maintenance regime. Schemes of cable tagging are likely to assist in providing an
acceptable level of maintenance.

61 All plugs, sockets and interconnection components should be arranged as

paragraph 28.

Temporary lighting equipment for use in potentially flammable atmospheres

62 In areas which are classified as hazardous due to the potential for a

flammable or explosive atmosphere to occur during the construction or repair of a
vessel, the use of normal duty lighting equipment and circuits should be prohibited,
particularly when working with solvent-based fluids. It is a requirement to only use
lighting equipment which is suitably constructed, or as necessary protected, to allow
safe working in a flammable or explosive atmosphere.

63 Lighting equipment for use in flammable atmospheres should meet the

requirements of the standards specified in Certificate of Approval F2511 issued
under the Shipbuilding and Ship-Repairing Regulations 1960. Examples of suitable
standards which may form part of the safe systems of work in shipbuilding and
repair activities include the relevant parts of the BS 5501 series and their equivalent
European standards such as EN 50020, which are included at Appendix 1
paragraph 6.

64 It is not possible to demonstrate suitability of non-certified lighting equipment

for hazardous areas without subjecting the equipment to tests akin to certification
standards. Consequently, the use of lighting equipment which does not conform to
these standards is not recommended and should be prohibited.

65 It is recommended that the connection of the temporary lighting equipment

used in potentially flammable atmospheres complies with the following:

(1) plugs and sockets which are used in hazardous areas should be
suitable for use in that particular zone of risk;

(2) plugs and sockets should have mechanical and/or electrical

interlocking to prevent danger during insertion or removal of the plug;

(3) the type of cable should be suitable for rough usage and other adverse
environmental conditions, eg presence of solvents;

(4) the cable should also be suitable for the circuit protective
arrangements, eg where earth monitoring is used, the cable should
include the appropriate number of conductors; and

(5) where the apparatus needs to be earthed, the cable may include an
earthed flexible metallic screen in addition to the earth conductor.

PORTABLE AND TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Introduction and definition

66 During the lifetime of a repair or build project it is likely that numerous items of
portable and transportable electrical equipment will be used to assist in work activity.
This equipment can take many forms including:

(1) welding equipment;

(2) extraction systems incorporating ventilation fans;

(3) drills; and

(4) grinders.

67 The quantity of such equipment in use will vary considerably depending on

the size of the fabrication hall, building berth or vessel size and complexity.
 Supply and loading considerations

68 It is common practice to co-locate welding equipment together and provide a

supply from multi-operator transformers, typically rated at up to 380 kVA, or from
smaller single operator units which have ratings not normally exceeding 50 kVA. For
example, a shore located 400 volts 3 phase supplied welding transformer, rated at
164/365 kVA maximum, may be used to provide power to a 6-person welding team
with a supply voltage at 110 volts ac single-phase.

69 The variation in the quantity and supply requirements of the portable and
transportable electrical equipment will mean that supplies of varying capacity are
included in the specification of the temporary electrical installation. These electrical
loading constraints should be considered during planning (see paragraphs 24-27).

70 Circuit and system protection against overcurrent and earth fault conditions
by adequately constructed and rated fuses, circuit-breakers and isolator switches
should be used, as necessary, to satisfy the duties involved.

71 It is important to recognise that residual current devices (RCDs) should never

be used as a substitute for a properly installed and protected electrical system with
an efficient earth. RCDs for protecting people have a rated sensitivity of not more
than 30 mA (and a rated operating time of 200 milliseconds at a test current of 30
mA and 40 milliseconds at 150 mA).

72 The earthing of welding equipment requires special consideration, and

recommendation of good practice is made at Appendix 1 paragraphs 7 and 8. This
requires that the insulated neutral of the welding transformer is connected to the
workpiece using conductors of sufficiently low impedance and that extraneous
conductive parts, unless part of the workpiece, do not form part of the welding
circuit. In addition, the casings of welding current regulators should also be earthed
if constructed of metal.

73 Portable hand-held electric tools such as drills, linishers and grinders are
normally operated from a low voltage supply. Good practice observed at
shipbuilding and repair yards is a 110 volt single phase supply obtained from a
double wound transformer which conforms with BS 4363: 1991, or an equivalent
standard. Further details of the 110 volt system are given at Appendix 2.

74 The construction of portable electric tools should provide protection against

harsh conditions of use and moisture ingress. Typically, the degree of enclosure
protection for tools used outside at vessels under construction or repair is IP55 (see
Appendix 1 paragraph 9).

75 Plug and socket connections for portable and transportable apparatus should
be arranged as at paragraph 28.

76 Additional methods which are available to ensure safety of operation and the
safe use of electricity with portable and transportable equipment include:

(1) the use of flexible armoured cables;

 (2) high sensitivity earth fault protection;

(3) earth monitoring circuits; and

(4) Class II (double-insulated) or all-insulated equipment.

Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment

77 HSE Booklet HS(G) 107 Maintaining portable and transportable electrical

equipment (Appendix 1 paragraph 10) gives detailed general advice on the electrical
safety aspects of maintaining portable apparatus. At shipbuilding and repair
facilities the risks from damaged or faulty electrical equipment are high, and need to
be managed and controlled by setting up an appropriate maintenance system. The
maintenance system will need to include both formal visual inspections on a regular
basis and also checks by the user. These should be backed up by combined
inspection and electrical testing.

78 The most important maintenance precaution is the formal visual inspection

because this can detect about 95% of faults or damage. Yard management should
ensure that regular visual inspections are carried out by competent members of
staff. Such staff should be given sufficient training to enable them to detect signs of
faults or damage. Time should be allocated to enable them to carry out the
inspections.

79 The following faults can be seen easily and will be picked up during formal
visual inspections (and the checks by the user):

(1) any visible bare wires;

(2) damage to cables such as cuts and abrasions (excluding light

scuffing);

(3) damage to the case of the equipment, or loose covers or fixings;

(4) damage to plugs and sockets such as cracked casing, bent pins, or
signs of overheating;

(5) unsuitable cable joints or repairs; and

(6) cable sheath not securely gripped at the cable termination.

80 Users can be given basic training so that they can visually check the
equipment they are using. It is recommended that they look at 230 volt equipment
and RCDs every day or at the start of every shift (if the yard is in use 24 hours/day).

81 Testing can detect faults such as loss of earth continuity, deterioration of the
insulation and internal or external contamination by dust, water etc. All of these
faults are likely to occur at a shipbuilding or repair yard because of the arduous
environment. They could result in electrocution or cause a fire. Therefore, it is
important that testing is carried out by a competent person at a frequency
appropriate to the type of equipment and the risks.

82 In addition to routine testing as part of the planned maintenance programme,

it is recommended that combined inspection and testing is also carried out:

(1) where there is reason to suspect the equipment may be

faulty,damaged or contaminated but this cannot be confirmed by visual
inspection; and

(2) after any repair, modification or similar work to the equipment, when its
integrity needs to be established.

83 The following table gives guidance on the suggested frequencies of user

checks, planned formal visual inspections and combined visual inspection and
testing. It is based on practical experience and is designed to assist those setting up
a maintenance regime for the first time. The frequencies should be appropriate to
the risks at the yard. They should be reviewed occasionally, using the results of
previous inspections and tests to see whether the frequency can be decreased or
should be increased.

SUGGESTED INSPECTION AND TEST FREQUENCIES FOR ELECTRICAL

EQUIPMENT AT A SHIPBUILDING OR SHIP REPAIR YARD

EQUIPMENT/APPLICATION VOLTAGE USER FORMAL COMBINED

CHECK VISUAL INSPECTION
INSPECTION AND TEST
Battery operatated power tools Less than No No No
and torches 20v
25v Portable hand lamps 25v No No No
(confined or damp situations) Secondary
winding
from
transformer
50v Portable hand lamps Secondary No No Yearly
winding
centre
tapped
earth (25v)
110v Portable and hand held Secondary Weekly Monthly 3 Monthly*
tools, extension leads, yard winding
lighting, movable wiring centre
systems and associated tapped
switchgear earth (55v)
230v Portable and hand held 240v mains Daily/Every Weekly Monthly*
tools, flood lighting and supply Shift
extension leads through
30mA RCD
230v Fixed (non-moveable 240v Weekly Monthly 3 Monthly*
equipment) sSupply
fuses or
MCBs
 RCDs Daily/Every Weekly **
Shift
Equipment in offices 240v office Monthly 6 Monthly 12 Monthly
equipment

*And when returned from a build/repair project or moved to another build/repair project
location.
**It is recommended that fixed RCDs are tested on a 3-monthly basis, while portable RCDs
are tested monthly.

84 Higher risk equipment (230 volts or above) needs more frequent checking,
inspection and testing than lower risk equipment (110 volts or less).

85 Damaged equipment should be taken out of service immediately and labelled

as defective. Users should not attempt makeshift repairs. Repairs should be carried
out by competent people.

TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL

INSTALLATION

86 The temporary electrical installation, regardless of its condition or extent,

should be maintained in order to ensure the safety of the system. The quality and
frequency of this maintenance should be sufficient to prevent danger so far as is
reasonably practicable.

87 Shipyards will normally have the facilities available to carry out their own
maintenance on practically all aspects of repair, calibration, inspection and test to
both heavy current and electronic equipment.

88 As a general rule, inspection and testing of the temporary electrical

installations should be undertaken in accordance with the reference at Appendix 1
paragraph 1. This approach includes considerations for initial verification,
alterations and additions to installations, periodic inspection and testing, and
certification and reporting.

89 The tests which are to be performed should include:

(1) visual inspection for defects;

(2) continuity of protective conductors;

(3) insulation resistance;

(4) site applied insulation;

(5) dielectric tests;

(6) earth fault loop impedance;

 (7) polarity; and

(8) proof testing of residual current devices, whenever appropriate.

90 It is recommended that this work is carried out on a planned preventive basis

which incorporates regular inspection of equipment. The use of techniques such as
equipment labelling and tagging may assist in determining effective maintenance
scheduling. The frequency of inspection and testing should be made against
practical experience of use, and is a matter for the judgement of the technically
competent person. Information obtained from records of similar electrical
installations and equipment manufacturers may be employed to determine the initial
frequency, which then can be subsequently adjusted to match practical experience.

91 Test and inspection of the completed installation on board the vessel should
be performed in accordance with the reference at Appendix 1 paragraph 3.

March 1996
 APPENDIX 1
(paras 12, 22, 41, 50, 52(3), 63, 72, 74, 77, 88 and 91)

REFERENCES

16th Edition of the IEE Wiring Regulations for Electrical Installations 1991 (as amended).
Available from: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, Hitchen, Hertfordshire SG5 1RS.
(Also available as BS 7671: 1992 Requirements for electrical installations. IEE
Wiring Regulations Sixteenth Edition ).

The Electricity Association Recommendation for the connection of embedded generating

plant to the requirements of the electrical companies' distribution system. Available from The
Electricity Association, 30 Millbank, London SW1P 9RD.
6th Edition of the IEE Regulations for the electrical and electronic equipment of ships with
recommended practice for their implementation 1990. First Amendment 1994. Avail-
able from: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, Hitchen, Hertfordshire SG5 1RS.
Chartered Institution of Building Services Lighting guide: shipbuilding and ship repair ISBN
0 900 953225. Available from: CIBSE, Delta House, 222 Balham High Road, London,
SW12 9BS.
BS 4533: Part 102: Section 102.8: 1990 Specification for handlamps.
BS 5501: Part 1: 1977 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres. General
requirements.
BS 5501: Part 2: 1977 Oil immersion 'o'
BS 5501: Part 3: 1977 Pressurized apparatus 'p'
BS 5501: Part 4: 1977 Powder filling 'q'
BS 5501: Part 5: 1977 Flameproof enclosure 'd'
BS 5501: Part 6: 1977 Increased safety 'e'
BS 5501: Part 7: 1977 Intrinsic safety 'i'
BS 5501: Part 8: 1977 Encapsulation 'm'
BS 5501: Part 9: 1982 Specification for intrinsically safe electrical systems
'i' .

Also, reference may be made to European Standards EN 50014-EN 50020 which

correspond to BS 5501 Parts 1-7 respectively.

Additionally, BS EN 50014: 1992 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive

atmospheres. General requirements partially replaces BS 5501: Part 1: 1977.

1 BS 638: 1966 Arc welding power sources, equipment and accessories.

British Standards may be obtained from British Standards Institution, 389 Cheswick
High Road, London, W4 4AL.

2 HS(G) 118 Electrical safety in arc welding HSE Books 1994 ISBN 0 7176
0704 6.
3 BS EN 60529: 1992 Specification for degrees of protection provided by
enclosures (IP code).

4 HS(G)107 Maintenance of portable and transportable electrical equipment

HSE Books 1994 ISBN 07176 0715 1.

5 IEE Code of practice for in-service inspections and testing of electrical

equipment. Available from: The Institution of Electrical Engineers, Hitchen,
Hertfordshire SG5 1RS.

6 HS(G)85 Electricity at work - safe working practices HSE Books 1993 ISBN
07176 0442 X.
 APPENDIX 2
(para 73)

TECHNICAL NOTES ON RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES AND

REDUCED LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS

RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICES (RCDS)

1 An RCD is an electro-mechanical device which may be likened to a current

balance. It compares the current flowing into the system with the current flowing out
of the system. When the system is fault free, these values are the same, and the
RCD continues to allow the current to flow. When the levels differ by a pre-set value
(the rated tripping current value of the device) or more, then the RCD will open
rapidly, thus interrupting the electrical supply.

2 The RCD is sensitive to very small currents. It does not limit the current
flowing in the event of shock, it limits the time for which that current flows thus
minimising injury. If an RCD fails to operate the current will continue flowing,
possibly dangerously.

3 RCDs can also be subject to 'nuisance tripping'. This is where the RCD trips
frequently in the absence of a detectable fault. The cause may be an intermittent
fault, or may be due to 'leakage' currents from items such as information technology
equipment. The resulting loss of supply causes inconvenience to users of the
system, and increases the likelihood of the device being defeated in some way, so
rendering the system without protection.

REDUCED LOW VOLTAGE SYSTEMS

4 These are electrical supply systems in which the maximum voltage to earth
that can occur in the event of a fault or damage to the system, is reliably limited to a
value which is unlikely to cause danger to persons. Unlike RCDs, reduced low
voltage systems are passive systems in that they do not rely on the operation of a
sensitive electomechanical device to ensure safety.

5 Cordless (battery operated) hand-held tools are on example of reduced low

voltage equipment, but these have limitations on power output and duration of
operation.

6 Safety extra low voltage (SELV) systems limit the voltage available to a
maximum of 25 volts. These systems are often used for lighting circuits or similar
low power requirement situations, but the low voltages make the system less useful
for use with power tools and more general application.

7 The reduced low voltage system in most common use at UK shipbuilding and
repair yards for general applications is that which is 110 volt centre tapped to earth.
In this system the source of the electrical supply is usually a double wound
transformer with an earthed screen between the primary and secondary windings of
the transformer. In addition, the star point or neutral of a 3-phase transformer is
connected to earth, and the centre point of a single phase or 2 pole winding is
connected to earth (see figures 1 and 2). It is possible to use generators to supply
these systems and these should be configured to provide the same features.

Reduced low voltage

A system in which the nominal phase-to-earth voltage does not exceed 63.5V and
the nominal phase-to-phase voltage does not exceed 110V.

3 phase

Reduced low voltage source - 3 phase

L1

L2

L3

o
Source earth Protective
Conductor
RLV
System phase-to-phase voltage not
exceeding 110 volts Temporary
System phase-to-earth voltage not installation
exceeding 63.5 volts. Distribution
Distribution
All exposed conductive parts are equipment equipment
connected to the protective conductor.
Exposed conductive parts

Figure 1
 Single phase

Reduced low voltage source - single phase L1

L2

o
Protective
Source earth conductor
RLV
System line-to-line voltage not
exceeding 110 volts Exposed
System line-to-earth voltage not conductive Temporary
exceeding 55 volts parts
installation
All exposed conductive parts are
connected to the protective conductor Distribution equipment

Figure 2

8 The phase to phase (for 3-phase supplies) and the pole to pole (for
single-phase supplies) voltages on the secondary output does not exceed 110 volts.
The corresponding phase to earth and pole to earth voltages will then not exceed
63.5 volts and 55 volts respectively at the transformer output terminals.

9 In this way, the system is able to supply 110 volts to tools or equipment in use
at the yard, whilst technical investigation has shown that the maximum indirect
contact touch voltage from one of these systems does not exceed 40 volts. This can
be a steady state condition and it does not exceed the limits for electric shock
protection set out in the protection curves for normal human body impedance, as
shown in IEC publications 479-1 and 2.