PROTECTIVE DEVICES IN NAVY SHIPBOARD ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEMS

Abstract

ABSTRACTElectrical protective devices have always been a key element in naval electrical power systems. The development of protective devices is traced to show the improvements in functionality provided as electrical power systems increased in complexity.Protective devices have had a major impact on electrical power systems through the development of more sophisticated fuses, circuit breakers, and relays. Without the continued progress in protective devices, shipboard electrical power systems improvements would have been stymied.The analysis of the characteristics of protective devices is significant in the understanding of device performance and the features which were so essential to improvements in electrical power systems. Protective devices were developed to monitor the essential parameters of electrical power systems and then, through built‐in logic, determine the degree of reconfiguration of the system necessary to limit the damage to components and equipment and to enhance the continuity of electric service for the vessel.The three major types of protective devices utilized in Navy ship electrical power systems are fuses, circuit breakers, and relays ‐ with fuses and circuit breakers being the predominant devices. The increased versatility of circuit breakers, particularly with the introduction of the electronic protective systems, has offered an additional degree of sophistication in the protection of electrical power systems. Electronic protective devices offer further advances and improvements which will impact the protection and the control of future electrical power systems.