FMJ.CO.UK
DELIVERING GENERATOR
LIFE EXTENSION Standby generators are used to supply
power for the duration of a mains power
outage. Such a break in power can have
a serious e ect on life as well as a huge
financial impact on business, so the
need for continuous power is becoming
increasingly critical.
A well-maintained standby generator
has a design life of more than 25 years and
purchasing quality equipment that utilises
the best design, quality materials and
manufacturing precision will greatly influence
the lifespan of your machine.
To achieve this design life, a planned
preventative maintenance program (PPM)
should be implemented, wherever possible
utilising genuine OEM parts. PPM and service
are typically conducted on a schedule which
is based on time periods known as the
maintenance cycle or actual running hours.
This cycle should be adapted to meet each
application requirements. Essentially if an
engine operates for more than the standard
hours, or in an extreme environment, it will
need more servicing.
Annual maintenance will consist of a combination
of major and minor visits and tests conducted by a
manufacturer trained service engineer, covering all
the main components. To ensure any generator is fully
operational, tests conducted should include:
Running the generator for five to ten minutes
weekly, proving its ability to start in an
emergency.
Once a month, a mains failure simulation test,
running the generator on the available site
load for one hour. This proves the changeover
arrangement is operational and the generator
can support the site load.
Should the site load be less 30%, it is
recommended that on an annual basis, an
artificial load bank is attached to run the
generator at 100% to prevent excessive carbon
build up.
A robust programme of servicing and preventative
maintenance helps to safeguard the long service life of
engines and alternators.
The control system plays a crucial role in
maintaining and managing your generator. Whilst
the technology behind alternators and engines
changes little year on year, electronic components
and electrical controls are continually evolving. This
MONTH IN FM
NOVEMBER 2020 47
o en means a perfectly viable engine and alternator
risk becoming redundant due to outdated control
technology and component obsolescence.
With constantly moving and improved technology,
control manufacturers o en cease making and
supporting older versions of their products. In the
event of failure, this makes sourcing replacement
parts problematic and costly, creating periods
of extended downtime, and putting your power
continuity, and ultimately your business, at risk.
Additionally, older control systems present very
little by way of the capability, usually because the
technology was simply not available 10 to 25 years
ago. Any older system with an ageing or obsolete
control system therefore increases the risk to your
continuity of power.
A cost-e ective way to extend the life of your
generator and ensure continuity is to upgrade or
refurbish your control system.
Modern control systems o er increased
functionality, including remote monitoring options ,
and reduce the risk of failure or faults as they are more
resilient than older models.
A new digital control system can provide anything
from a simple local start to remotely controlled
and managed synchronised sets. Generators with
communications ports can have alarms monitored
remotely, o er full system data visibility and
management, all via a laptop or smartphone from
anywhere in the world, o ering complete system
flexibility and enhanced capabilities.
Even with the best maintenance regimes, it is
essential to keep your control system up to date and
reliable. Don’t wait until you have a controls failure,
take the initiative to ensure your system is up to date
and ready to perform when you need it most to avoid
major business interruption.
By Billy Myers, A ermarket Director at DTGen.
www.dtgen.co.uk service@dtgen.co.uk
/www.dtgen.co.uk
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