Engineers to Meet to Discuss Electric Installations on Ships

 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is updating the IEEE 45 standard for electrical installations on ships.  This is a big undertaking because so much has changed with new power systems on ships, from the cruise industry to integrated electric propulsion systems on warships.  

“With new voltages, power distribution systems and casualty power arrangements, the standard really needs a refresh,” says Moni Islam, an electrical engineer who is chairing the IEEE committee reviewing and revising the standard.  “The committee’s work is well underway, but we still need the benefit of new perspectives and the contributions of some new volunteers.”

Islam is asking qualified electrical engineers, to include maritime experience if possible, to contact him.  He is inviting any and all interested parties, to include new volunteers to the effort, to attend the next meeting of the IEEE 45 standards committee in Arlington, Va., February 7-8, 2012.

“New technologies require new standard practices for design, construction, installation, and operation that included multiple industrial applications to increase production and to reduce acquisition, upgrade, and operation costs,” Islam says.

Islam says the committee needs help with such issues as commercial ship versus naval vessel challenges; electrical systems on offshore platforms; power system protection schemes; operator training; fundamental electrical noise issues; blackout recovery fundamentals for advanced electrical power systems (AEPS); failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA); and medium voltage and low voltage (MV/LV) considerations.

“The experts who have been serving on this team are some of the best engineers in the world,” says Islam.  “I’m honored to be able to work alongside them.”

The Feb. 7-8 meeting will be held 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST) at the offices of MCR Federal LLC, 901 North Stuart St., Suite 603, in Arlington, Virginia, at the Ballston Metro station.

Mr. Islam has 38 years of diversified experience in electrical engineering, marine electrical ship design, development, application engineering, and engineering management. He authored a book, Handbook to IEEE Standard 45, A Guide to Electrical Installation on Shipboard. He is chair of the current effort to update IEEE Std 45 and has been involved with the standard for 15 years.  Retired with over 20 years of shipyard experience, including the DDG-1000 IPS concept and preliminary design.  He can be contacted at [email protected].