U.S.S. TEXAS - BB35

Electrical Power

The primary electrical systems on Battleship Texas provided 120 volt direct current generated by four steam turbine powered dynamos located in two rooms deep within the ship.  The power from each room was controlled and distributed by switchboards located on a level immediately above each of them.  The switchboards were connected by a wiring passage that allowed the two dynamos to share the ship's electrical needs, or one to take over the other's functions should it be disabled.  Motor generators provided higher voltages where it was necessary.  These used 120 volt d.c. motors powered by the ship's system to drive higher voltage generators.  Additionally, motor generator sets that provided alternating current were also installed as the need for them arose and were placed in convenient locations around the ship.  Most electronics required a.c. along with the 40mm gun directors and degaussing equipment.  All of these systems had one serious weakness, they ultimately relied upon the ship's steam system to generate power.  If steam pressure was lost, so was all of the electricity.  For that reason, there were two large emergency diesel generators on board.  These could provide power to fire pumps and to a few other critical items that could make the difference between saving and loosing the ship.