THE SOCIETY OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS

One World Trade Center, Suite 1369, New York, N.Y. 10048
Spring MeetingBTAR Symj:xlsium, PhIladelphia, Pennsylvania May 27-30, 1987

Grounding of Marine Electrical Power Systems: No.8

A True Perspective
D.O. Shipp, Visilor, Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA

C.O. Crapps, Visitor, U.S. Navy, Washington, DC

T.M. Nolan, Visitor, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington, DC

ABSTRACT

Ships service electrical systems have
traditionally been low voltage (600V & below)
and ungrounded. This is still the present
practlce on both commercial and Naval
vessels. Grounding of marine electrical
power systems has been the tOPIC of much
discussion, but there is very little
technical literature available on this topic
as used in the marine industry. These
discussions have been controversial and often
filled with emotion. The authors feel that
it is time to review the subject of marine
electrical power system grounding with regard
to good, present day, engineerlng practice.
There are also additional factors that must
be considered in modern day marine electrical
systems. These include:
o Introduction of higher voltage systems reviewed with improved reliability and safety
o Desire to standardize marIne equipment being the main objectives.
with industrial practice
o Lessons learned from other industries
dock. Service continuity of critical loads
such as steering under hurricane conditions
also painted the grounding method away from
solid grounding. The perception that
ungrounded systems provide service
continuity--at least through the first ground
fault, and without compromizing hull
integrity, strongly suggested ungrounded
systems. With little need for sOphlsticated
loads at that time, ungrounded systems became
the rule. The limited energy requirements
and lower voltage levels of the earlier
systems performed in an acceptable fashion.
Today, hulls are welded (no rivet arcing
possibility), higher voltages and
significantly increased sophisticated loads
on shipboard, suggest the reasons for
utilizing ungrounded systems needs to be

This paper will review different system The recommendations of system grounding set
grounding practices and present information forth in this paper are those of the authors
un different grounding methods. Safety, and not the official position of the U.S.
costs and operational considerations, such as Navy or U.S. Coast Guard.
continuity of service, WIll be investigated.
Finally, selection criteria for selecting the
proper grounding method will be discussed.

INTRODUCTION

Historically, the method of system grounding

selected for marine applications dates back
to the early part of this century when there
were 2 basic methods available; solid
grounded and ungrounded. Solid grounding
posed a major concern to safety and hull
integrity-especially when hull construction
techniques utilized riveted steel plates.
Possible arcs in the riveted jOlnts (high
impedance due to corrosion, rust, etc.) under
ground fault conditions, posed a serious
threat to hull integrity. Of equal concern
was the possibility of similar arcs in
hazardous areas or the possibility of I
ground on phase A and another on phase B in 2
seperate ships resulting in sinking at the

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