Power Up Your Vocabulary: 30 Key Generator Terms Everyone Should Know
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The list of key generator terms below is designed to empower you with essential knowledge about the world of generators. Whether you’re a facility manager, director of maintenance, or a business owner relying on backup power, understanding the language of this field is crucial. This list covers the key generator terms that are frequently used regarding the major operational components and industry services, helping you navigate discussions and make informed decisions about your power solutions.
Table of Contents
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
A transfer switch is an essential component that connects the generator to your building’s electrical system. It ensures that when the main power supply fails, the generator automatically begins delivering electricity to the facility. Transfer switches require regular inspection and testing to ensure proper functionality during emergencies.
ATS PM (Transfer Switch Inspection)
Typically includes cleaning the contacts, testing operation and response time of the transfer switch.
Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
The AVR is responsible for regulating the voltage output of your generator. It ensures that the electrical output stays within a safe and stable range, protecting sensitive equipment from damage caused by voltage fluctuations.
Block Heater & Battery Heater
Devices that keeps the engine and batteries at a warm temperature, allowing for faster starting in cold weather conditions.
Building Load Test (BLT)
Building load testing involves running the generator under the actual load conditions it would encounter during an outage. This test verifies that the generator can handle the building’s electrical load without issues.
Controller
An electronic device that manages and regulates the operation of the generator, including starting and stopping the engine, controlling voltage output, and monitoring performance parameters. It ensures optimal functionality and safety by responding to changes in load and environmental conditions.
Docking Station or Generator Connection Box
A dedicated electrical interface that allows for the quick and safe connection of a portable or backup generator to a facility’s electrical system. It simplifies temporary generator hookups during power outages or maintenance, enabling fast restoration of power without complex wiring.
Engine Control Module (ECM)
The system that manages the engine’s operational parameters like fuel injection, throttle, and engine diagnostics.
Engine Overhaul
An engine overhaul is a more extensive procedure where the engine is disassembled, cleaned, inspected, and rebuilt. This is typically required after years of heavy use or if serious wear is detected. Overhauls can extend the life of the generator and help prevent failures.
Fluid Sampling & Fluid Analysis
Oil, Coolant, and Diesel Fuel sampling involves taking a small sample of the generator’s fluids and analyzing it for contaminants, metal particles, microbial growth and other impurities. Regular fluid analysis helps detect early signs of problems, allowing for corrective action before failures occur.
Fuel Degradation
Fuel degradation occurs when fuel quality diminishes over time, often due to contamination, oxidation, or water accumulation. This can lead to poor generator performance or failure. Regular fuel polishing and monitoring are essential to prevent fuel-related problems.
Fuel Polishing
Over time, diesel fuel can degrade and become contaminated with water, sludge, or other impurities. Fuel polishing is the process of cleaning the fuel to ensure it remains usable, particularly for generators that are rarely used. This helps prevent clogging of fuel lines and filters, ensuring smooth generator operation when needed.
Generator Exercise or Exercise Cycle
Exercising your generator means running it at intervals, typically under no load or light load, to keep the system in working order. Regular generator exercise helps to ensure proper lubrication of engine components and helps to maintain battery charge. Facility managers often schedule weekly or monthly exercise routines.
Generator Run Time
The duration for which the generator operates during an exercise or power outage, measured in hours.
Kilovolt-amperes (kVA)
A unit of apparent power used in electrical systems to represent the total power being used by a system, including both real power (measured in kilowatts, kW) and reactive power. It indicates the overall load on a generator or transformer, with the formula: kVA = Voltage × Current ÷ 1000.
Kilowatts (kW)
A unit of power measurement that indicates the output capacity of a generator.
Leg
Refers to one of the conductors in a multi-phase power supply, such as in three-phase systems, where each leg carries alternating current that is offset in time. Each leg contributes to the overall power distribution, ensuring balanced loads and efficient energy transfer.
Load Bank Testing
Load bank testing simulates the generator’s full power capacity by placing a controlled electrical load on it. This allows technicians to ensure that the generator can handle its full output, revealing potential performance issues. Regular load testing is critical for identifying weaknesses before an emergency occurs.
PM1 (Minor PM)
Visual examination of the generator and its components, including checking fluid levels, inspecting belts and hoses, checking for leaks, checking battery condition and exercising the generator
PM2 (Major PM)
Comprehensive service that includes a minor pm as well as oil, coolant, and fuel filter changes, and an oil change. The scope of work can vary based on manufacturer recommendations or customer requests.
PM3 (Triennial Service)
Preventative maintenance that involves more comprehensive scope of work often including replacement of the belts, hoses, and batteries. The scope of work varies based on manufacturer recommendations and customer requests.
Paralleling
The process of operating multiple generators in tandem to increase total power output and redundancy.
Peak Shaving
A demand-side management strategy used to reduce electricity consumption during periods of high demand, typically by utilizing on-site generation or energy storage systems. This practice helps lower energy costs and alleviate stress on the electrical grid during peak load times.
Phase
A specific stage in the cycle of alternating current (AC) voltage, characterized by a sinusoidal waveform. Multi-phase systems, such as three-phase power, use multiple phases to distribute electrical loads more efficiently and provide a smoother, more reliable power supply.
POCP (Power Outage Contingency Plan)
Outlines the steps for quickly deploying, connecting, and operating a rental generator to maintain critical operations during an outage. It includes sizing the generator, indicating connection points, determining length of cables required, securing the generator, ensuring proper fuel supply, coordinating logistics, and testing connections in advance to minimize downtime.
Rated Capacity
The maximum amount of electrical power a generator can produce under ideal operating conditions. It is usually expressed in kilowatts (kW) or kilovolt-amperes (kVA) and indicates the generator’s ability to supply power to connected loads. This rating is determined by the manufacturer and is based on factors such as fuel type, engine size, and cooling system efficiency.
Remote Monitoring
Remote monitoring systems allow facility managers and technicians to oversee the generator’s status in real-time from off-site locations. It provides insights into the generator’s performance, fuel levels, battery health, and any faults or alarms. This technology enhances proactive maintenance and minimizes downtime.
Service Intervals
The frequency at which maintenance tasks, such as oil changes or inspections, must be performed to keep the generator in good working order.
Switchgear
A collection of electrical devices, including circuit breakers, switches, and fuses, designed to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. It helps manage the flow of electricity in a power system, ensuring safety and efficient distribution by automatically disconnecting circuits during overloads or faults.
Wet Stacking
Accumulation of unburned fuel, carbon, and oil in a diesel generator’s exhaust system, often caused by operating the generator at low or no load for extended periods. This condition can lead to reduced performance and potential damage if not corrected through proper load management or maintenance.
Generator Terms Conclusion
Mastering these key generator terms will enhance your ability to make informed decisions about backup power solutions, ensuring reliability and efficiency for your facility. Whether you’re discussing maintenance schedules, troubleshooting performance issues, or planning for future power needs, having a solid grasp of industry terminology empowers you to communicate effectively with technicians and service providers. By staying knowledgeable, you can better protect your operations from unexpected power disruptions and optimize your generator’s performance for years to come.