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.