A standby generator, also called a backup generator, is a secondary power system that automatically kicks in to provide a building with power when the main electricity supply fails. In the event of a power outage, standby generators play a crucial role. They ensure minimal disruption to essential appliances and systems, making them invaluable in medical facilities and commercial buildings. How can you ensure generator reliability?
Standby generator systems are essential as they frequently provide backup power to life and economically critical systems. However, these generators are made up of many parts, and they are only as reliable as their weakest link. For this reason, service procedures have been established to ensure all of the components within a generator system are fully operational and ready to kick in should the utility supply go offline. In fact, many applications are subject to service requirements set by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Does your facility have a standby generator? If so, you must maintain a rigid maintenance schedule to ensure system reliability.
Keep reading as we take a deeper look at the importance of maintaining a planned service program for standby generators. We'll also discuss the specific areas of service required to ensure your generator system is maintained in a continuous state of readiness.
Deterioration in Standby Generators
Standby generator systems ensure that vital loads still have power when the primary utility source goes offline. However, even though these generators may only run for a few hours each year, primarily during testing, deterioration of parts and components can still occur. A few common examples include:
- Diesel Fuel Deterioration: Most standby generators run on diesel. This fuel can sit for months at a time without the generator running. Over time, the diesel can be exposed to extreme conditions, causing it to deteriorate. This is because diesel waxes when cold and deteriorates when water is present, such as in humid environments.
- Batteries: Batteries can lose their charge over time if they're unused for long periods and exposed to extreme cold.
- Corrosion: Any equipment that is exposed to the elements is vulnerable to corrosion and water damage.
- Extraneous Reasons: Any equipment that is left unattended may be damaged by vandalism, vermin, or impact, and it may even be stolen.
- Adverse Weather: Standby generators exposed to the elements may be damaged by wind, rain, ice, lightning, snow, ice, and extreme temperatures.
Why a Planned Service Program Is Important to Generator Reliability
Even though standby generators are used infrequently, a variety of factors can lead to deterioration. As a result, generator reliability is compromised, and the system could fail when it's needed most. This makes it essential to implement a planned service program. This plan is designed to identify issues within the system and repair them pre-emptively. Inspecting parts for damage, replacing components that have a predictive lifespan, and performing operational testing to ensure the generator operates under load are critical to guarantee the system is in a state of readiness when there's a power outage.
Service/Inspection Schedule
Having a planned service program in place following industry best practices and the service interval recommended by NFPA will help guarantee that your equipment is ready should the power from your utility fail. Yet, how often should you perform maintenance and service, and what should you do during your inspection? For standby generators, you will need to perform certain maintenance tasks on a weekly, quarterly, or annual basis. Check out our brief maintenance schedule below, or view a more detailed guide here.
Daily/Weekly Service
While not all standby generator locations are manned, these generators should be inspected whenever personnel are available onsite, on at least a weekly basis. These generator reliability inspections should include a visual check of the generator's overall condition. Make sure to check for obstructions, weather damage, or leaks such as coolant, fuel, and oil.
Minor Service
These are routine services that need to be performed every 3-6 months to ensure that the equipment is operational. At this time, the technician will also note items that indicate an unplanned shutdown is possible. Services that should be performed during a minor service inspection include:
- Oil and Filter Check/Change
- Check and Tighten Hose and Belt Connections
- Top Off Coolant and Fuel
- Test The Battery Status and Check Its Connections
- Start The Generator and Verify Control Functions and Indicators
- Repairs of any Detected Damaged/Faulty Parts
Major Service
Minor service inspections are for performing routine monitoring and maintenance. However, major service checks are for testing the generator system under full load to verify that all components are working within their designed parameters. A minor test can identify most issues that could result in system failure. But only a full-load test will confirm that a system is fully operational, and this service needs to be performed every 12-18 months. A major service inspection will include all the tests of a minor service inspection, as well as load bank testing to test all functions of the system at full load.
Contact Bay City Electric Works To Learn More About Standby Generator System Service
Generator reliability is essential to ensuring you have access to power even when your local utility goes down. Whether you need a new backup generator for your facility or you need help keeping up with regular system maintenance and repairs, consider reaching out to Bay City Electric Works. We've been a premier power systems supplier for California, Nevada, and Hawaii since 1932, and we'll work tirelessly to ensure your standby generator system is operating
