46 CFR 111.30-29: Emergency switchboard requirements and equipment
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section covers emergency switchboards. Each emergency generator must have one, with a test switch, placed near the emergency power source. It also lists equipment that emergency switchboards must have, including extra items for alternating-current and direct-current switchboards.
Applies toEmergency generators and their emergency switchboards, including alternating-current and direct-current emergency switchboards.
What it says
Each emergency generator must have an emergency switchboard.
46 CFR 111.30-29(a)“Each emergency generator must have an emergency switchboard.”
There must be a test switch at the emergency switchboard that simulates failure of the normal power source and causes the emergency power source to supply the emergency loads.
46 CFR 111.30-29(b)“There must be a test switch at the emergency switchboard to simulate a failure of the normal power source and cause the emergency loads to be supplied from the emergency power source.”
The emergency switchboard must be as near as practicable to the emergency power source, but not in the same space as a battery emergency power source.
46 CFR 111.30-29(c)“The emergency switchboard must be as near as practicable to the emergency power source but not in the same space as a battery emergency power source.”
Each switchboard of an alternating-current emergency generator must have a circuit breaker that meets § 111.12-11.
46 CFR 111.30-29(d)(1)“A circuit breaker that meets § 111.12-11;”
Each emergency switchboard must have an ammeter with a selector switch that connects the ammeter to show the current for each phase.
46 CFR 111.30-29(f)(1)“An ammeter with a selector switch that connects the ammeter to show the current for each phase.”
Each emergency switchboard must have ground detection that meets subpart 111.05 for the emergency lighting system.
46 CFR 111.30-29(f)(3)“Ground detection that meets subpart 111.05 for the emergency lighting system.”
Each direct-current emergency switchboard must have the equipment under § 111.30-27 (b) through (d).
46 CFR 111.30-29(g)(1)“Equipment under § 111.30-27 (b) through (d); and”
Common questions
Does every emergency generator need an emergency switchboard?
Yes. Each emergency generator must have an emergency switchboard.
“Each emergency generator must have an emergency switchboard.”
Where must an emergency switchboard be located?
It must be as near as practicable to the emergency power source. It must not be in the same space as a battery emergency power source.
“The emergency switchboard must be as near as practicable to the emergency power source but not in the same space as a battery emergency power source.”
What is the test switch on an emergency switchboard for?
It simulates a failure of the normal power source. This causes the emergency loads to be supplied from the emergency power source.
“There must be a test switch at the emergency switchboard to simulate a failure of the normal power source and cause the emergency loads to be supplied from the emergency power source.”
The text of 46 CFR 111.30-29
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Emergency switchboards
(a) Each emergency generator must have an emergency switchboard.
(b) There must be a test switch at the emergency switchboard to simulate a failure of the normal power source and cause the emergency loads to be supplied from the emergency power source.
(c) The emergency switchboard must be as near as practicable to the emergency power source but not in the same space as a battery emergency power source.
(d) Each switchboard of an alternating-current emergency generator must have:
(1) A circuit breaker that meets § 111.12-11;
(2) A disconnect switch or link for each emergency generator conductor, except for a switchboard with a draw out or plug-in type generator circuit breaker that disconnects:
(i) Each generator conductor; and
(ii) If there is a switch in the generator neutral, each ungrounded conductor; and
(3) An indicator light connected between the generator and circuit breaker.
(e) For each emergency generator that is not excited from a variable voltage or rotary amplifier exciter that is controlled by a voltage regulator unit acting on the exciter field, each emergency switchboard must have:
(1) A generator field rheostat;
(2) A double pole field switch;
(3) Discharge clips; and
(4) A discharge resistor.
(f) Each emergency switchboard must have the following:
(1) An ammeter with a selector switch that connects the ammeter to show the current for each phase.
(2) A voltmeter with a selector switch that connects the voltmeter to show:
(i) Generator voltage of each phase; and
(ii) Bus voltage of one phase.
(3) Ground detection that meets subpart 111.05 for the emergency lighting system.
(4) A frequency meter.
(5) An exciter field rheostat.
(6) A voltage regulator and a voltage regulator functional cut-out switch.
(g) Each direct-current emergency switchboard must have the:
(1) Equipment under § 111.30-27 (b) through (d); and
(2) Ground detection under subpart 111.05 for the emergency lighting system.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.