Replicator Control

The wonders of replication do not come without a price. It takes a lot of power to operate a Replicator, not to mention the computer memory needed to store even the simplest molecular resolution. Even the smallest of ships can have numerous replicators, from the common Food Replicators to more powerful Industrial types. Unnecessary usage and abuse can create a strain on both power avaliability and the Computer core. There are also safety concerns as to what the crew or embarked civilians can and cannot replicate. To monitor and police replicator activity, every ship and station has a Replicator Control facility. Often this is referred to as "Replicator Central" or the "Replicator Center".

Starbases and larger ships may have more than one control area. They are manned by Operations personnel and maintenanced by Matter / Energy Systems Specialists from the Engineering Department. Not only do they watch the power usage, but also regulate the amount of raw material allotted for replications as established by Starfleet protocols. Materials such as foodstuffs, clothing, personal hygeine items, and the like are considered necessary cost-effective needs and are typically replicated at will. Certain items, however, can not be replicated without authorization of the Operations Officer on duty in the Control bay, the Chief or Assistant Chief Operations Officer, Chief Engineering Officer, or senior staff.

Unless one has the training (and clearance) to program a replicator to make something, crew and civilians alike can request it be made by notifying Replicator Control. Personnel can readily search in the computer or create a matrix "blueprint" for the item, then replicate it typically within 48 hours depending on the item. Recreational and personal requests are secondary to operational and duty-related needs.

In Yellow and Red Alert situations, use of the replicators is severely restricted. Replicator Control usually powers down over 80 percent of replicators. Critical-need areas such as Sickbay and Engineering are not affected.