Fire prevention in ship electrical equipment on the basis of modern thermal imaging methods

Authors: V.A. Pekhotikov, A.I. Ryabikov, A.A. Nazarov, O.I. Gruzinova

Abstract

The article presents information on fires onboard ships caused by faults in the electrical equipment. Statistically, in one year only, fires destroyed 7 sea and river vessels, 64 more were damaged, the total damages amounting to 1,39 billion rubles. Most often fires on ships occur in accommodation quarters, service and machinery spaces. It is stated that more than half of all the fires is associated with electrical resistance in DC networks. One of the main causes is faulty electrical contact at the joints and wire insulation damage. A new methodology of prevention of fires caused by electrical equipment using non-contact methods of inspection is described. The main advantages of thermal imaging surveys are: the objectivity and accuracy of the data, as well as security. The method does not involve a shutdown of electrical equipment and preparation of workplace. For devices such as sockets, switches, etc. no opening of the case is required. The principles of contactless, non-destructive testing of fire hazard in electrical installations, as well as the main provisions of the methodology of their thermal imaging surveys are provided. The formulas for determining the "excess temperature" depending on the ratio of possible nominal and operating currents are given. The article further classifies the criteria for fire hazard defects, providing recommendations on the practical application of the method onboard the ships. It is noted that the modern high accuracy thermal imager is an affordably priced compact device, which does not require cooling of low-temperature fluids and high-level training of the end user.

Keywords: fires on ships, electrical equipment, emergency defects, non-destructive testing methods.

References

1. Nazarov A. A., Pekhotikov V. A., Ryabikov A. I., Gruzinova O. I. Teoreticheskie i prakticheskie aspekty otsenki pozharnoy opasnosti elektricheskikh kontaktnykh soedineniy [Theoretical and practical aspects of the evaluation of fire risk of electrical contact connections].

2. RD 153-34.0-20.363-99 Metodika infrakrasnoy diagnostiki elektrooborudovaniya i VL [RD 153-34.0-20.363-99 Method for Infrared Inspection of Electrical Equipment and Overhead Lines].

About authors: 

Pekhotikov Victor - PhD, FGBU VNIIPO EMERCOM of Russia, md. VNIIPO, 12, Balashikha, 143903, Moscow region, Russia, tel.: +7 (495) 524-98-54. E-mail: napoz46@mail.ru;

Ryabikov Aleksey - FGBU VNIIPO EMERCOM of Russia, md. VNIIPO, 12, Balashikha, 143903, Moscow region, Russia, tel.: +7 (495) 521-99-73, e-mail: fire_test_cable@mail.ru;

Nazarov Anton - FGBU VNIIPO EMERCOM of Russia, md. VNIIPO, 12, Balashikha, 143903, Moscow region, Russia, tel.: +7 (495) 521-27-61, fax: (495) 521-99-73, e-mail: izol_material@mail.ru

Gruzinova Olga - FGBU EMERCOM Russia, md. VNIIPO, 12, Balashikha, 143903, Moscow region, Russia, tel.: +7 (495) 524-81-33, e-mail: oi_gruzinova@mail.ru

Issue: 50/51 (2018)

For citation: V.A. Pekhotikov, A.I. Ryabikov, A.A. Nazarov, O.I. Gruzinova. Fire prevention in ship electrical equipment on the basis of modern thermal imaging methods. Research Bulletin by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. 2018, No. 50/51, pp. 70-74.

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UDC:  621.31:614.84
Pages:  70-74