FOM-7.2 Fleet Operations Manual
FOM
Testing and Inspection of Portable Electrical Equipment 		Doc No.: FOM 7.2
Revision: 01
Date: 15 Oct 2024
Issued by: DPA
Approved by: MD

1 Introduction

Engine maintenance schedules must be adhered to as far as possible. Overdue items should be reported to the technical superintendent as "Maintenance not done" through the reporting facilities of the planned maintenance system.

This chapter provides guidance on maintaining portable electrical equipment to prevent danger. In this document, the term ‘portable’ is used to mean portable, movable or transportable.

Portable electrical equipment could cause an electric shock or burn, or fire due to damage, wear or misuse. This guidance covers most electrical portable equipment used onboard, e.g. electric drills, extension leads, office equipment, portable grinders, electric kettles and similar equipment used on board.

2 Portable Electrical Equipment

There is no legal definition of portable equipment. However, in this guidance it means equipment that is intended to be connected to a generator or a fixed installation by means of a flexible cable and either a plug and socket or a spur box, or similar means. This includes equipment that is either hand-held or hand-operated while connected to the supply, intended to be moved while connected to the supply, or likely to be moved while connected to the supply.

Extension leads, plugs and sockets, and cord sets that supply portable equipment are classified as portable equipment because they operate in the same environment and are subject to the same use as the equipment they serve. Portable equipment also includes appliances which have been fixed for security purpose such as those in public areas of hotels and changing rooms, e.g. kettles, hairdryers, hand dryers, lamps etc. The electrical supply to the equipment is assumed to be at a voltage that can give a fatal electrical shock, i.e. more than 50 V ac or 120 V dc.

Portable electrical equipment is divided into two categories.

2.1 Earthed Equipment (Class I)

This equipment relies on the metallic (exposed conducting) parts of the equipment being effectively earthed. If this earth connection is lost there is a possibility of the exterior of the equipment becoming live, with a potentially fatal result. Anyone touching live metal will be in contact with electricity.

2.2 Double Insulated Equipment (Class II)

This equipment (which includes double insulated equipment marked [Double Insulated Symbol]) is constructed with high-integrity insulation and does not have nor need an earth connection to maintain safety. If you cannot see this symbol, you should assume that the electrical equipment is a Class I appliance.

Vessel crew are to carry out a risk assessment on board and identify class of portable electrical equipment.

For portable electrical equipment, details, including the intended re-test date, to be in the PMS.

The risk of receiving an electric shock will be greater when the user of portable electrical equipment is standing on a surface that is a good electrical conductor (such as a wet floor, the ground outside, a concrete floor or on scaffolding) than if they are standing on a wooden floor or dry carpet and not in contact with earthed metal work.

The most vulnerable item of any portable equipment is often the cable (sometimes called cord, lead or flex) that supplies the equipment. Most portable equipment is supplied by a flexible cable, which is made up of thin, flexible wires covered in insulation and then enclosed in an overall sheath. The cable may deteriorate due to ageing or environmental effects, abuse or misuse, fail because of repeated flexing, or suffer mechanical damage. The most obvious examples of mechanical damage are being struck or penetrated by objects.

Repeated or excessive flexing of the cable will eventually cause the conductor to fracture and the sheath to crack. Damage usually occurs first at the cord grip or gland where the cable enters the equipment or its plug.

An example of a high-risk activity is the use of a high pressure water gun, powered by a 230 V or 440 V electrical supply, with the cable trailing on the ground where it can be damaged by sharp edges on deck and other equipment, and where water is present.

Damage to the cable or other parts is likely to expose the operator or others to the risk of electric shock.

Some portable equipment (such as soldering irons and clothing irons) can cause damage to the sheath, or even to the insulation of its own flexible cable. The cable should be secured in such a way that it does not come into contact with parts that are moving or hot. The crew when using such equipment should always be alerted to avoid such damage. If damage does occur, they should stop using the equipment and inform Chief Officer or Chief Engineer.

Similar risks result when electrical equipment such as drills, or portable grinders are used in a harsh and sometimes wet area. There is a high probability of mechanical damage and in some circumstances the metal casing of equipment can become live.

Sometimes ‘unauthorised’ equipment are brought on board by crew (e.g. Radios, TV’s, DVD players). Use of such equipment should be controlled. Combined inspection and Test (PAT) is to be carried out prior use.

3 Maintenance Inspection and Test

Effective maintenance of portable electric equipment can be achieved by a combination of:

3.1 Checks by Crew

All portable electrical equipment to be checked by crew every time prior use and ensure equipment is in sound condition for example:

3.2 Formal Visual Inspections by ETO / Electrician

An important part of a maintenance regime is the formal visual inspection. Such inspections are necessary because they can reveal most potentially dangerous faults. Formal Visual inspection are required to be carried out by Electrician / ETO as per Planned Maintenance System on board.

As part of the formal visual inspection, follow to be verified:

3.3 Combined Inspection and Test (PAT) by ETO / Electrician

The checks and inspections outlined in the Formal Visual should reveal most potentially dangerous faults. However, some faults, such as loss of earth integrity (e.g. broken earth wire within a flexible cable), deterioration of insulation integrity, or contamination of internal and external surfaces, cannot be detected by visual examination alone. Such faults can only be reliably detected by a combined visual inspection and test.

This should be carried out periodically as required by the Planned maintenance system on board or:

The inspection carried out in conjunction with testing should usually include checking:

Test should be as follows for:

3.3.1 Earthed Equipment (Class I)

3.3.2 Double Insulated Equipment (Class II)

The above test can be carried by a Portable appliance testing Kit or by a milliamp meter.

4 Inspection and Testing Result

Where inspection or testing identifies equipment which fails to comply, the equipment shall be:

Where inspection or testing reveals equipment are fully in compliance, it shall be fitted with a durable, non-reusable, non-metallic tag.

5 Safe Use Inspection and Testing Result

Following are some general electrical safety precautions: