How to Install Electronic Circuits on Ship?

With the increase in modern technology and automation in ship’s machinery and operations, electronic circuits like a printed circuit board or PCB along with signal transducer and transmission system are popularly used onboard. Since these are tiny and vital circuits, they require proper location and precaution for their installation.

Electronics is the science of controlling electrical energy electrically by use of various components known as electronic circuits. The most common type of electronic component used on a ship is A printed circuit board or PCB.

What is Printed Circuit Board or PCB?

In ships, electronic system PCB plate or board is commonly used as it is compact in size and easy to replace.

PCB is an electrical interconnection of different electronic components using tracks, signal traces, conductive pathways, etc., and the whole circuit is supported mechanically on a small board.

It is critical to accurately locate the installation of electronic components as they are prone to damage if there is an excessive change in the surroundings.

Important points to be kept in mind while installing electronic system

• The electronic circuits get affected by the change in temperature or heat so component like transmitter should be installed in a place with good ventilation and with no gas or steam leakage.
• The temperature and humidity should be moderate and stable at the place of mounting
• Avoid installing in those areas where there is a high flow of humid salt air
• If the area where an electronic circuit to be installed is in a slightly high-temperature zone, attaching heat sinks to the mounting areas will transfer the heat from the receiver card to adjacent enclosure or the air
• Electronic equipment which is installed in central units for information processing/ transferring shall be installed in readily accessible spaces.
• The heat generated in the unit shall be removed suitably by using proper ventilation
• Where electronic equipment is installed in engine rooms or other spaces with the enhanced danger of pollution and corrosion, air filters shall be provided if necessary
• The cable connecting the electronic component must be fitted over perforated plates for proper ventilation and should not lie on the hot surface
• The cable used must have proper insulation.
• Circuits like PCB have more chance of getting damaged when exposed to high temperature. Therefore, they are installed in Engine control room (ECR), and air conditioning is provided in the control room to maintain the temperature of electronic and electrical components
• While installing the electronic component, drier or silica gel packets are used in the control box to avoid condensation of moisture over the circuit
• With moisture over the circuit due to humidity in the atmosphere, the electronic component will behave erratically
• The box or cabinet used to install electronic circuit must be properly secured with the surroundings to avoid vibration
• Vibration will cause loose or break off contacts
• All the components are to be tightly fitted in the cabinet as else loose fitting may lead to vibration and hence breaking of connections and components
• Electronic circuit’s component cable should not be in the vicinity of 440 v high tension wire
• Power electronics (equipment for the generation, transformation, switching and control of electrical power using semiconductor components) circuits are to be protected against overload and short circuits
• 440 v wire produces an electromagnetic field which will interact with the signal of the electronic circuit and lead to wrong input or output
• Control and alarm electronics shall be galvanically separated from power circuits
• To prevent possible interference on electronic systems, it is recommended that the individual earth resistors should be conductively linked by cables on the earth side
• Circuits like PCB have more chance of getting damaged when exposed to high temperature. Therefore, they are installed in Engine control room (ECR) and air conditioning is provided in the control room to maintain the temperature of electronic and electrical components.
• While installing the electronic component, drier or silica gel packets are used in the control box to avoid condensation of moisture over the circuit.
• With moisture over the circuit due to humidity in the atmosphere, the electronic component will behave erratically
• The box or cabinet used to install electronic circuit must be properly secured with the surroundings to avoid vibration
• Vibration will cause loose or break off contacts.
• All the components are to be tightly fitted in the cabinet as else loose fitting may lead to vibration and hence breaking of contacts and components.
• Electronic circuit’s component cable should not be in the vicinity of 440 v high tension cable.
• 440 v cable produce an electromagnetic field which will interact with the signal of the electronic circuit and lead to wrong input or output.

The other important issue with the PCB and electronic cards is static electricity. Damage due to static electricity can be avoided by grounding the circuit body by simply touching it to any metal surface. It is to be remembered that only the PCB insulation is grounded and not the circuit line or the components lead.

You may also like to read-Duties of Electrical Officer On Board Ship

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About Author

An ardent sailor and a techie, Anish Wankhede has voyaged on a number of ships as a marine engineer officer. He loves multitasking, networking, and troubleshooting. He is the one behind the unique creativity and aesthetics at Marine Insight.

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