Electro Plasma System

The electro-plasma system (EPS for short, or more specifically the electro-plasma distribution network, as engineers like to call it) is the primary form of energy distribution on starships.

## EPS Systems

A Federation EPS (electro-plasma system) was fed primarily from a warp core on a starship, a fusion reactor on an installation or starbase, or an impulse reactor on a non-warp spacecraft. EPS system also relies on the use of the ships Batteries to help with high loads or sudden spikes in usage. It may also be naturally-generated, such as the energetic anomalies found in plasma storms and fields

The technology is based on storing energy in a highly energetic plasma, "electro-plasma," and distributing it throughout the ship via plasma conduits, called EPS conduits. The system of conduits is also referred to as the plasma grid. In the event of an emergency, the grid may be shut down to avoid an overload.

In addition to distributing power to the warp nacelles, various EPS taps are placed on the conduits throughout the ship to enable other systems to access electro-plasma wherever it is needed. The main EPS distrubtion Nodes are located on deck 8 on either side of the warp core base. If a plasma conduit or EPS tap ruptured, the contents could set off a plasma fire.

From the EPS taps, the energy is distributed through conventional electricity; however, this conversion often occurs deep inside the components of a subsystem. The flow of plasma was regulated using plasma flow regulators. Some systems use plasma distribution manifolds (or plasma manifolds, for short) to manage the power conversion level.

Electro-plasma can also be bled off into plasma canisters or a plasma infuser for mobile use as an energy source. Energized electro-plasma could be stored in plasma canisters or plasma infusers for mobile use, and was used in plasma torches and plasma weapons (such as plasma cannons, plasma charges, plasma waves, plasma rifles, and plasma torpedoes).

Most ships now have a primary plasma system and a backup secondary plasma system. Additional power grid systems were the life support power System and the auxiliary life support power system. By the 24th century maintenance was performed on the grid at regular intervals. Cleaning plasma conduits was considered to be a menial task, and sometimes delegated as a disciplinary measure

## EPS Components

Plasma couplings were devices that kept the plasma flow from breaking through the plasma conduits aboard starships.

Plasma relays were used to bridge connections between two sections of Conduit. They were often one of the most repaired items aboard the Solstice

A plasma flow regulator or an EPS flow regulator or simply flow regulator was a component used to regulate the flow of plasma in the electro-plasma system of a starship or a starbase.

### Plasma Manifolds

A plasma manifold (also known as an EPS manifold or plasma distribution manifold) was a component that channeled electro-plasma through a (warp) power distribution system in a starship or space station. The technology was based on the 21st century ion distributor. One component of the plasma manifold was a phase compensator.

The electronic energy was bled off from the warp plasma in the form of microwaves, providing electrical energy for the vessel. Taps for the electro plasma system (EPS) are located at three places along the PTC, at 5,10, and 20 meters aft of the shear-plane joints. Taps for the EPS are available in three primary types, depending on their application.

* Type I accepts 0.1 capacity flow for high-energy systems.
* Type II accepts 0.01 input for experimental devices.
* Type III accepts relatively low-power input for energy conversion applications.

## Power Grids and Systems Priorities

Below is a list of Systems where power can be diverted to and from, and what primary and secondary systems go on which grid.

* Warp drive (high demand - requires top priority)
	+ various internal subsystems
* Impulse Drive (medium demand)
	+ various internal Subsystems
* Intermittent: (moderate demand)
	+ phasers
	+ deflector screens
	+ Defensive shields
	+ propulsion thrusters
	+ maneuvering Thrusters
	+ Tractor beam

* Standby power grid (moderate demand not all systems not normally powered up Simultaneously)
	+ transporters
	+ Long range Sensors
	+ Short range sensors
	+ Navigational Sensors
	+ Torpedo Launch bays
	+ Subspace Transceivers
	+ Real space transceivers
* Constant power Grid (low demand, all systems normally running simultaneously)
	+ High Priority
		- Bridge and override systems
		- Antimatter containment
		- life support systems
		- computer core and peripheral systems
		- sickbay complex
	+ Low Prioirty
		- hangar bay systems
		- intercom systems
		- turbolift systems
		- Replicators