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Atlantis II Power Requirements and Safety Section


In order to keep the crew of Atlantis II and the related vehicles safe, many safety regulations must be followed. These are split into regulations for Main Power and Emergency Power.
Main Power Regulations:
  1. Two main generators, each of which is to be capable of maintaining the operation of essential equipment on the platform.
  2. Both positive and negative conductors from the main and auxiliary power sources are not to pass through the same penetrator or connection in a pressure boundary and are to be spaced sufficiently to prevent damaging currents.
  3. All power leads passing through a pressure boundary are to be adequately protected by circuit breakers or fuses against overload and short circuit.
  4. The circuit breakers or fuses are to be located on the power source side of the pressure boundary and are to have the ability to open the circuit quickly to prevent damage to the watertight integrity of the electrical penetration. Tests may be required to demonstrate the ability of the device to perform as mentioned above.
  5. Cables and wiring of circuits supplied by different voltages and by the main and emergency circuits are to be effectively separated from each other.
  6. Electric plugs, sockets and receptacles are to be of a type which prevent improper inter-connections of the various systems and are to be provided with a means of securing after connection is made.
  7. The use of a color coding for the various systems is recommended.
  8. Intrinsically safe wiring is to be separated from non-intrinsically safe wiring by at least 50 mm (2 in) and in accordance with the equipment manufacturer s recommendations. Other suitable standards may be acceptable.
  9. Propulsion motors inside a pressure boundary of submersible units (i.e. Not subject to pressure) are to be suitable for marine atmosphere, anticipated operating temperatures and shock loading.
  10. Propulsion motors subject to operational pressure, are to be designed with due considerations to the consequences of environmental corrosion and pressure, temperature and shock loading. Test data or satisfactory service experience demonstrating adequacy for intended service are to be used to substantiate the design. When pressure compensators are used, they are to be supported by complete design and detail plans and calculations. When the adequacy of pressure compensators is predicated on the complete removal of air inside the housing, the contemplated air purging procedure is to be included in the operations manual.

Emergency Power Regulations:
  1. An emergency source of power for systems vital to safety, firefighting and protection of personnel, is to be provided to supply the services as listed herein. Provision for emergency power supply less than those listed herein will be considered, provided adequate technical justification is submitted.
  2. An emergency source of power may be supplied by an emergency generator or batteries and must be available in not more than 45 seconds after interruption of main power.
  3. If batteries are used and these batteries use cell top terminal potting they are to possess good dielectric properties and are not to absorb electrolyte, oil or water at design operating pressures. A dry insulation resistance measurement is to be made by means of a 500-volt DC insulation resistance test instrument (megger) between the leads and the insulated casing and is to show a reading of at least 50 megohms.
  4. There must be sufficient life support capabilities for twice the time required to reach the surface.
  5. A two-way sound-powered communication system is to be provided for each compartment. The system is to provide communication capability between the occupants and the outside monitor in the dive control station.
  6. Speech unscramblers are to be provided when mixed gas is used.
  7. Any non-sound-powered communication systems are to be supplied by two independent sources of power.

  8. The emergency power supply must be able to supply sufficient power for:
    Emergency internal lighting
    Communications equipment
    Life support systems
    Environmental monitoring equipment
    Essential control systems
    Other equipment necessary to sustain life

For additional information, please contact :
Atlantis2@mit.edu

©2001 Altantis II Project

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