Integrating Power Electronic Equipment into Shipboard Power Systems

While incorporating power electronic equipment into ship designs offers many advantages, the ship integration process for power electronic equipment is not well understood. This paper details areas of consideration that require study or design activity prior to detail design, and what can likely be deferred until detail design. These areas of consideration include: suitability for marine applications, current limiting, power quality, common-mode currents and voltages, electromagnetic compatibility, equipment cooling, creepage and clearance, grounding system interaction, system stability, part load efficiency, margins and service life allowances, black start implications, real and reactive power sharing, conditioned based maintenance, modularity, hot swapping, cybersecurity, control systems interfaces, and machinery arrangements.