What must be ensured for an electric steering system upon powering up?

For an electric steering system, it is crucial to ensure that the system becomes operational immediately upon powering up. This immediate operational capability is essential for safety and user experience, as any delay in activation could compromise the vessel's maneuverability, especially in critical situations where quick response is required.

Electric steering systems are designed to provide instant command response to the user's inputs. If the system does not become operational right away, it could lead to dangerous scenarios where the operator is unable to steer the vessel effectively. This immediate engagement also facilitates the smooth functioning of automated or assisted steering features if the system is equipped with such capabilities.

While the other aspects mentioned, such as torque, alignment, and temperature, are important for the ongoing performance and reliability of the steering system, they are not the foremost priority at the point of power-up. The critical requirement is that the system is ready to respond to commands without waiting for initialization or calibration processes that could delay its functionality.