Electrical and control solutions for the systems behind the vessel
WTM works across marine electrical, control and equipment interfaces — supporting new builds, existing-vessel upgrades and fault investigation around the wider application.
Whether you are building a new vessel, upgrading an existing one or trying to understand why a system is no longer behaving as expected, the electrical and control requirements rarely exist in isolation.
WTM works around the wider application — helping bring together the electrical, control and equipment interfaces that allow the vessel to operate as intended.
Different stages create different problems
WTM can support marine projects across new-build, upgrade and existing-system environments — understanding what stage the vessel is at, what systems already exist and what the outcome needs to be.
A new build presents a very different challenge from an operating vessel that has accumulated years of modifications, replacement equipment and changing requirements.
The correct starting point is understanding what stage the vessel is at, what systems already exist and what the outcome needs to be.
WTM can support marine projects across new-build, upgrade and existing-system environments without assuming the same answer suits every application.
Building a new vessel?
A new vessel can bring together electrical, control, instrumentation, operator interfaces and multiple technical suppliers — each working independently, but needing to work together.
WTM can support control panels, PLC/I/O, equipment interfaces and wider system integration from early in the build.
A new vessel can bring together electrical distribution, machinery controls, instrumentation, operator interfaces, third-party equipment and multiple technical suppliers.
Each system may work perfectly on its own. The challenge is making sure they also work together.
WTM can support the electrical and control requirements around a new build, including control panels, PLC/I/O, equipment interfaces and wider system integration.
The earlier the interfaces are understood, the easier it is to avoid discovering them during commissioning.
The questions worth answering early
What needs to be controlled?
Machinery, pumps, valves, auxiliary equipment and other vessel functions all have different control requirements.
What needs to be measured?
Sensors and instrumentation only create value when the information reaches the right part of the system in a usable form.
What systems need to communicate?
Third-party equipment, PLCs, HMIs and vessel systems may use different interfaces and protocols.
What has to fit inside the vessel?
Available panel space, cable routes, service access and equipment location can influence the control architecture.
What happens when something changes?
A system that allows sensible future modification is easier to live with than one built only around today's exact requirement.
Obsolete Components
When an existing PLC, I/O module, display or control device is no longer available or practical to support.
Additional Functionality
When the vessel needs new sensors, alarms, monitoring or equipment added to an existing system.
New Equipment
When replacement machinery or equipment needs to interface with older vessel controls.
Operator Visibility
When the information exists in the system but is not being presented clearly enough to the operator.
System Expansion
When the original control architecture has reached the limit of what it was designed to support.
Upgrading an existing system?
Existing vessels rarely offer a clean starting point. Some equipment may still perform well; other components may be obsolete or no longer suited to what the vessel is now asked to do.
New equipment may need to work alongside control systems never designed with it in mind.
Existing vessels rarely offer the clean starting point of a new build.
Some equipment may still be performing perfectly. Other components may be obsolete, difficult to replace or no longer suited to what the vessel is being asked to do.
New equipment may need to work alongside control systems that were never designed with it in mind.
The answer is not automatically to replace everything.
Keep what still makes sense. Change what does not.
WTM can help examine the existing electrical and control system, identify the interfaces that matter and build a practical path from the current arrangement to the required outcome.
Chasing an electrical or control fault?
A fault may appear at one point in the system while the actual cause sits somewhere else.
- A sensor can provide the wrong signal.
- An I/O channel can receive the right signal but not pass it through correctly.
- A PLC can issue the correct command while the field equipment fails to respond.
- A communication link can make perfectly good hardware appear faulty.
The symptom and the cause are not always in the same place.
WTM can approach faults across the electrical and control layers of the system, helping narrow down what is actually happening rather than simply replacing components until the symptom disappears.
Talk Through the ProblemSupport across the electrical and control system
The exact scope depends on the vessel and application, but WTM can support requirements across areas such as:
Vessel Electrical Systems
Electrical work and modifications around vessel equipment and operating requirements.
Control Panels
Panels and assemblies built around the equipment and system they need to control.
PLC & Automation
Control logic, distributed I/O and automation around marine applications.
HMI & Monitoring
Operator interfaces, status information and system visibility.
Instrumentation Integration
Getting sensor and measurement information into the control system where it can be used.
Industrial Communications
Interfaces between control devices and third-party equipment.
Generator & Power Control
Electrical and control requirements associated with vessel power systems.
Upgrades & Modifications
Changing an existing system to suit new requirements.
Fault Finding
Tracing problems across connected electrical and control systems.
When multiple systems need to work as one
A vessel does not care which supplier provided each component — the system either works together or it does not. Sensors, control logic, field equipment and operator information all have to stay aligned.
- Sensors have to reach the control system.
- The control system has to understand the information.
- The equipment has to respond correctly.
- The operator needs to know what is happening.
WTM's ability to work across electrical, control and interface requirements helps keep those interactions aligned around the vessel.
A vessel does not care which supplier provided each individual component.
From the operator's perspective, the system either works together or it does not.
- Sensors have to reach the control system.
- The control system has to understand the information.
- The equipment has to respond correctly.
- The operator needs to know what is happening.
- And different third-party systems may need to exchange information without creating another problem in the process.
WTM's ability to work across electrical, control and interface requirements can help keep those interactions aligned around the vessel rather than around individual products.
Tell WTM what the vessel needs to do
Whether the project is at concept stage, already under construction or operating with a problem today, start with the outcome you need from the system.
Discuss Your Marine Project