High Voltage Safety is a one-week course with formal lectures and group exercises. The course covers the knowledge and skills needed to safely work with energized high-voltage high-energy electric power systems. Principles and procedures for the safe operation & maintenance of marine low voltage (<1 kV), and marine high voltage (1-15 kV) equipment are covered. Insulated hand tools, "hot-sticks", proper grounding procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and thorough job-planning procedures are stressed throughout the course. Properties of electric charge, energy, electric potential, dielectric stress, electrostatic and inductive coupling, and material behavior in electric and magnetic fields are covered. The effects of electricity on humans, various personnel protection concepts, and basic first aid practices are all addressed. Differential protection schemes, insulation materials, Faraday shielding, equi-potential grounding, live-line tools, and isolation techniques are covered from both technical and practical perspectives. Various OSHA, IEEE, European, NFPA-70E, Electric Utility, and shipping company safety procedures are reviewed. Group exercises include the development of safe-work protocols, use of lockout/tagout (LOTO), maintenance task rehearsal, and equipment preparation. Actual measurements and maintenance tasks are then conducted on a live 12.47 kV three-phase power system by the same groups. Calculations of fault current, arc-flash hazards, and proper PPE selection are explained. Other technical topics covered include insulation testing (IR/PI/DAR/DD), four-wire Kelvin low-resistance testing, corona detection by ultrasonic and RF emissions, and signature analysis using an infrared imager.

Course Capacity: 12 students

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of electricity and experience working around marine and/or industrial power systems

Special Requirements: Cotton long sleeve shirt, long pants, and safety shoes are needed for field exercises. This course is typically taken in conjunction with the Marine Electric Propulsion course.

USCG Approval:

Any applicant who successfully completes our High Voltage Safety (MEBAMD-219) course will satisfy:

• The High-Voltage Power Systems training requirements of 46 CFR 11.335(a)(4)(vi) for STCW endorsement as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO); AND
• The High-Voltage Power Systems training requirements of 46 CFR 12.611(a)(4)(ii) for STCW endorsement as an Electro-Technical Rating (ETR); AND
• The standards of competence required by 46 CFR 11.335(a)(2); Section A-III/6 of the STCW Code, as amended 2010, Meeting the National Assessment Guidelines from NVIC 23-14, Tasks 1.8.A, 4.1.A, 4.1.B, and 4.1.C.

Applicants who have successfully completed our course need not present completed "Control Sheets" for these assessments in application for STCW certification.

This two week course presents both theory and practical aspects of industrial process measurement and control systems.  Formal presentations include pneumatic, analog electronic, and digital instruments, including HART. The various techniques and sensors used to measure pressure, level, temperature, and flow will be discussed. Laboratory exercises will cover calibration and testing of measurement devices, transmitters, and valve positioners. Laboratory exercises will also include configuration of digital Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers, and the implementation of formal tuning methods. In addition, computer based software will also be utilized for various labs on control loop tuning.

Course Capacity: 10 students

Prerequisites: None

Special Requirements: None

Marine Electric Propulsion is a one-week survey course with formal lectures and demonstrations. This survey course provides an introduction to the principles and technologies used in the design and operation of marine electri propulsion drives based on the synchro-converter topology. The course begins with a thorough review of the production and control of three-phase electric power. Power flow is then followed through cables, switchboards, phase-shifting transformers, SCR-based controlled-rectifiers, to the DC-link. Standard six-pulse inverters supplied from the DC-link are then studied, as are synchronous propulsion motors and their excitation systems. For each portion of the system studied, appropriate elements of electric power systems, power electronics, instrumentation, and operational maintenance requirements are discussed. Practical demonstrations are offered to reinforce important fundamental concepts. Additional topics include buck and boost converters, phasor notation, system protection and coordination, transformer vector groups, harmonics, harmonic filters, CTs and VTs, SCR testing, heat-sinks, thermal management, soft-starters, phase control, P-Q-S analysis, and general power system topics.

Course Capacity: 12 students

Prerequisites: Experience with shipboard power plant operation and knowledge of basic electricity and electronics

Special Requirements: This course is typically taken in conjunction with the High Voltage Safety course.

These two one-week courses are typically taken in conjunction with each other.

Marine Electric Propulsion is a one-week survey course with formal lectures and demonstrations. This survey course provides an introduction to the principles and technologies used in the design and operation of marine electri propulsion drives based on the synchro-converter topology. The course begins with a thorough review of the production and control of three-phase electric power. Power flow is then followed through cables, switchboards, phase-shifting transformers, SCR-based controlled-rectifiers, to the DC-link. Standard six-pulse inverters supplied from the DC-link are then studied, as are synchronous propulsion motors and their excitation systems. For each portion of the system studied, appropriate elements of electric power systems, power electronics, instrumentation, and operational maintenance requirements are discussed. Practical demonstrations are offered to reinforce important fundamental concepts. Additional topics include buck and boost converters, phasor notation, system protection and coordination, transformer vector groups, harmonics, harmonic filters, CTs and VTs, SCR testing, heat-sinks, thermal management, soft-starters, phase control, P-Q-S analysis, and general power system topics.

High Voltage Safety is a one-week course with formal lectures and group exercises. The course covers the knowledge and skills needed to safely work with energized high-voltage high-energy electric power systems. Principles and procedures for the safe operation & maintenance of marine low voltage (<1 kV), and marine high voltage (1-15 kV) equipment are covered. Insulated hand tools, "hot-sticks", proper grounding procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and thorough job-planning procedures are stressed throughout the course. Properties of electric charge, energy, electric potential, dielectric stress, electrostatic and inductive coupling, and material behavior in electric and magnetic fields are covered. The effects of electricity on humans, various personnel protection concepts, and basic first aid practices are all addressed. Differential protection schemes, insulation materials, Faraday shielding, equi-potential grounding, live-line tools, and isolation techniques are covered from both technical and practical perspectives. Various OSHA, IEEE, European, NFPA-70E, Electric Utility, and shipping company safety procedures are reviewed. Group exercises include the development of safe-work protocols, use of lockout/tagout (LOTO), maintenance task rehearsal, and equipment preparation. Actual measurements and maintenance tasks are then conducted on a live 12.47 kV three-phase power system by the same groups. Calculations of fault current, arc-flash hazards, and proper PPE selection are explained. Other technical topics covered include insulation testing (IR/PI/DAR/DD), four-wire Kelvin low-resistance testing, corona detection by ultrasonic and RF emissions, and signature analysis using an infrared imager.

Course Capacity: 12 students

Prerequisites: Experience with shipboard power plant operation and knowledge of basic electricity and electronics

Special Requirements: Cotton long sleeve shirt, long pants, and safety shoes are needed for field exercises in the High Voltage Safety portion of the course.

USCG Approval:

High Voltage Safety:

Any applicant who successfully completes our High Voltage Safety (MEBAMD-219) course will satisfy:

• The High-Voltage Power Systems training requirements of 46 CFR 11.335(a)(4)(vi) for STCW endorsement as an Electro-Technical Officer (ETO); AND
• The High-Voltage Power Systems training requirements of 46 CFR 12.611(a)(4)(ii) for STCW endorsement as an Electro-Technical Rating (ETR); AND
• The standards of competence required by 46 CFR 11.335(a)(2); Section A-III/6 of the STCW Code, as amended 2010, Meeting the National Assessment Guidelines from NVIC 23-14, Tasks 1.8.A, 4.1.A, 4.1.B, and 4.1.C.

Applicants who have successfully completed our course need not present completed "Control Sheets" for these assessments in application for STCW certification.

This one week lecture-based course includes classroom demonstrations and student exercises, and focuses on management level operation, testing, troubleshooting, and restoration of electrical and electronic control equipment. Specific topics include: electrical safety and HV features; power electronics; generator protection, power management, and distribution systems; troubleshooting procedures for electrical motor controllers; AC Drives; features of automatic control for propulsion systems, including PID and control strategies; calibration and testing procedures for sensors, transmitters, and actuators; alarm, safety, and protection circuits; electro-pneumatic and hydraulic systems; PLC software version and security management. This course satisfies the "Management of Electrical and Electronic Control Equipment" requirement [46 CFR 11.325 (a)(3)(iii)], [46 CFR (b)(3)], in compliance with USCG and STCW 2010 amended regulations for renewal.

IMPORTANT:

• Course materials will be distributed in electronic format only.  We strongly recommend and encourage students to bring a notebook computer to class.
• This course will run until 4:00 on Friday afternoon.  Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

Course Capacity: 12 students

Prerequisites: None

Special Requirements: None

USCG Approval: Any applicant who has successfully completed our Management of Electrical & Electronic Control Equipment (MEBAMD-176) course will satisfy the Management of Electrical & Electronic Control Equipment training requirements of 46 CFR 11.325(a)(3)(iii) and (b)(3); 46 CFR 11.327(a)(3)(iii) and (b)(3); 46 CFR 11.331(a)(3)(iii) and (b)(3); and 46 CFR 11.333(a)(3)(iii) and (b)(3).

This two-week course aims to help engineers improve their ability to troubleshoot electrical systems found on board. The course starts with a review of electrical fundamentals and laws. It then covers: how to read prints with emphasis on expected readings in any part of a circuit, proper use of basic test equipment, components, circuit protective devices, sensors, motor controllers, basics of PLC’s and VFD’s. Safety topics include available energy levels and PPE. The course is presented as formal lectures and some student labs.

Course Capacity: 10 students

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Basic Electricity

Special Requirements: None

Programmable Logic Controllers is a one-week course with lectures and student labs. The course covers the theory and practical use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) Topics include historical development, electromechanical and digital-logic technologies, number systems, Boolean algebra, ladder logic programming concepts, analog and discrete I/O specifications, internal logic functions, specialized hardware, digital and analog control applications, and industrial networking basics. The Allen-Bradley SLC-500 is the primary PLC utilized in the course. Lab exercises range from basic programming to the design of interlocks, alarm circuits, and applications requiring event timing, output sequencing, program flow control, and analog I/O manipulation. Practical troubleshooting exercises include the use of I/O forcing, data table monitoring, field-device testing, and appropriate use of internal PLC diagnostics. The importance of documentation, regulations, and maintenance procedures are also discussed.

Course Capacity: 10 students

Prerequisites: None

Special Requirements: None