Regulatory improvement of a marine electric propulsion system based on an IEC standard and domestic–foreign classification rules

Abstract

The regulations for marine electric propulsion systems are based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 60092-501, and each country’s classification has its own technical rules and regulations drafted separately. This can generate confusion during inspections or increase cost and safety issues owing to a lack of understanding or conflict of content between regulations among designers, policymakers, and users. In this study, IEC regulation items are classified, and the items and contents of each classification regulation are compared thoroughly. To identify deficiencies and overlaps in regulations quantitatively, the compared quantities are presented in diagrams, and external experts conduct a qualitative comparative analysis of the contents of the regulations. Accordingly, an integrated standard that supplements them is presented. As a result, the control and system categories are the most significant; IEC and the Korean Register account for 34% and 35%, respectively, while other classification societies account for 49–59%. Moreover, details that require improvements include the unification of harmonic distortion standards and the addition of phase-shifting transformers and harmonic filters. This study is intended to simplify the processes ranging from the design to commissioning and operation.