SHIPS SERVICE ELECTRIC-POWER - ENHANCED SURVIVABILITY VIA EARLY DETECTION OF INCIPIENT CABLE FAULTS
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Researchers at Texas A&M University have studied the effects of battle damage on ship power distribution cables, with particular interest in damaged cables which did not fail immediately. The electrical signatures of partially damaged cables are significant and are detectable with advanced protection methods used on terrestrial power systems. Findings show that the damaged cable signatures are similar to those of arcing faults on terrestrial power distribution systems, which can be reliably detected using an online expert system [1,2,3]. The implications of these findings are significant. Since the ability of a damaged ship to fight through an encounter is entirely dependent on keeping operational its various systems which rely on electric power, the ability to automatically detect and reroute power around damaged regions is imperative. By identifying the characteristics of failing power cables before catastrophic failure occurs, the protection process can be integrated into the ship automatic control system. The overall result is a more survivable ship. 1993 by the American Society of Naval Engineers