Despite how many times they’re told, inexperienced operations professionals still can’t help themselves from cutting corners when it comes to sizing an emergency generator. Seasoned managers know that you need to approach standby equipment the same way you approach continuous use generators. You can’t compromise quality and simply bank on not having to completely rely on your emergency generator. That sets you up for a disaster scenario that impedes your operation and frustrates your customers.
Here are a few critical steps to take in ensuring you adequately size and maintain back up power generation equipment:
- Make Sure the Emergency Generator Measures Up
Never guess when it comes to load capacity, even if it is for backup equipment. You’ll want to be thorough take the current measurements of all equipment that will be utilized during peak usage. You could look for the amounts in your owner’s manual or on the equipment itself, but it’s best to take a reading. Once you add the numbers together, you’ll have the total amps you’ll need to supply for our operation. That said, you really want this amp total to be in the range of 70 to 80 percent of the emergency generator capacity to avoid any load management issues. Consistently running at or close to full capacity will negatively impact the equipment’s lifespan. - Emergency Generator Installation and Maintenance
Most commercial back up generator installations require an engineering plan and a qualified professional. Don’t assume you’ll just place the standby power generator in the corner and turn it on when you need it. Also, be sure to follow the prescribed testing and maintenance protocol to guarantee the transition from primary to back up power is seamless – and that the fuel powering your equipment is running cleanly. Stagnant old diesel fuel can build up the biological matter responsible for clogs and bursts. Even if an emergency generator is only used for testing – and never actively employed to support your operations – you still need to stick to a strict cleaning and filtering regimen. Read up on Emergency Generator Load Test.
The only place you may be able to cut corners when it comes to emergency generator management is shutting down non-critical systems during these emergency scenarios. This may afford you the opportunity to buy a smaller, less costly model. Proper generator sizing can be a tedious exercise, but it’s necessary to ensure that when your operation experiences a problem, you have a winning plan and the right equipment to see you through the challenge and maintain uptime.
Get a quick checklist for buying a standard or back up power generator by downloading our free buyers guide, then call on a Depco expert if you have any questions about right-sizing.
