Harmonic Filter Failure

Cause & Consequence

• Not Assigned

Incident Location

Specialist vessel eg diving, construction, survey

Incident Activity

Sea transport

Incident Info Source

MAIB

Specific Incident Equipment

A capactiors in a harmonic filter

Lessons Identified

See Recommendations

Incident Recommendations

Operators of vessels with electronic propulsion which have large capacitors in harmonic filters, should urgently:

• Inspect the capacitors and check for any physical distortion, unusual smells ( indicating dielectric fluid leakage) and signs of external overheating.
• Ensure that the cooling and ventilation systems are functioning correctly.
• Caliberate and function test any fault detection or condition monitoring system fitted.
• Ensure that if there is a history of capacitors in the equipment needing to be replaced, the underlying causes are understood.
• Carry out a thorough check fir the cleanliness of all exposed conductors as well as for external signs of chaffing damage on high voltage cables.