TM 55-1930-209-14&P-1
CHAPTER 8 EQUIPMENT MONITORING SYSTEM (EMS)
Section I. General
8-1 General. The EMS monitors operation of several equipment components and displays this data on a video monitor.
It also uses alarms to alert crewmembers when an operating condition goes beyond a preset range.
8-2 Description. EMS main components are the alarm/casualty monitoring equipment, two 12-volt dry cell batteries, a
battery charger, two strobe lights, two horns, and a buzzer. Additional information about EMS major components is in
table 8-1. The alarm/casualty monitoring equipment consists of various sensors and switches, a main processor,
keyboard, video monitor, alarm relay module, main power switch, and bilge alarm module. A block diagram of EMS
components is shown in Figure 8-1. Figure 8-2 shows the arrangement of these components on the barge. Equipment
specifications, maintenance information, and manufacturer's service manuals are contained in TM 55-1930-209-14&P-11.
8-3 Capabilities. The EMS main processor unit can accept information from as many as 168 different inputs (9 rate, 63
analog, and 96 switches). On the barge, however, only 39 are used: 1 rate, 13 analog, and 25 switches. Table 8-2 lists
various EMS switches and sensors, their locations, and types of video monitor display. The keyboard and video monitor
make up the station from which an operator selects and views any page of monitored information, acknowledges alarms,
and sets or changes alarm conditions.
8-4 Special limitations. The system is designed to operate only between 32 and 131o F.
Section II. Description of operation
8-5 General. Sensors and switches monitor operating conditions of various items of equipment onboard, such as
amount of drinking water in storage tanks, temperature of diesel engine cooling water, etc. This data is sent to main
processor, which displays it on one of eight display pages on video monitor. The system in normal operation continuously
displays each display page for approximately 9 seconds and then automatically moves on to a new page. A display page
is either a bargraph to indicate a varying quantity (e.g., amount of drinking water) or a lighted block to indicate that an item
is being monitored and is operating normally. In an alternate mode, the operator selects a specific display page to
observe by pressing the appropriate keyboard button. When a sensor detects a value that exceeds acceptable operating
conditions, the main processor starts flashing that particular display at double intensity. It also activates remote alarms
(horns, strobe lights, and buzzer) alerting crewmembers that corrective action is required. When the crew acknowledges
the situation, alarms stop and displays on video monitor stop flashing. They continue to be displayed at double intensity
until condition that caused the alarm is corrected.
8-6 Power supply. Two rechargeable 12-volt gel cell batteries, connected in series, provide a 24 Vdc supply for the
EMS. A battery charger keeps these batteries fully charged. The 24 Vdc power panel provides power for horns, strobe
lights, and buzzer. When an abnormal condition exists, the main processor energizes a relay that connects this power
source to these alarms.
8-1
