Industrial Power Generators

Diesel Powered Generators

Our diesel-powered generators are prime power, multi‐voltage, sound attenuated, mobile generators. They are powered by a John Deere Tier 4 Final, liquid-cooled, four-cylinder diesel engine. The units consist of an alternator, diesel engine,
cooling system, electrical distribution, and control systems ‐ all enclosed within a sound attenuated enclosure fabricated from powder-coated steel with zinc-rich primer. 1000 hr salt spray test. A broad range of undercarriage formats and options are available.

Special attention has been given to the overall product quality, user-friendliness, ease of serviceability, and economical operation to ensure the best in the class total cost of ownership.

Industrial Power Generator Ratings

The most common ratings for industrial power generators are standby and prime ratings. A standby rating is intended for supplying emergency power for the duration of a normal utility power source failure. There is essentially no overload capability for a standby-rated generator. Prime rating is the maximum power available at a variable load for an unlimited number of hours. In addition, a 10% overload capability is also available for a limited time. Limited run time and baseload (continuous) are other examples of generator ratings but are less commonly specified. These ratings are defined by international standards that all manufacturers are required to follow in regards to published performance data for their equipment.

Generators’ ratings are based on their capability of delivering a specified amount of power for the duration or number of hours per year anticipated. In general, an industrial generator can deliver more power for a limited amount of hours per year, or less power continuously. The duration of anticipated generator use throughout the year is a key factor in choosing the appropriate rating. Determining whether a normal utility source (or other reliable power sources) is available or if the generator is the only source of power for the site is another key factor. Many generators have both standby and prime ratings for the same set, so the portion of continuous and variable loads also needs to be considered and evaluated to determine which size would be applicable for each rating.

Applicable codes are another factor in determining generator size ratings. Emergency systems (NEC 700) are required to be sized for connected load unless the application is an NEC 517 healthcare application; in that case, the load is sized based on anticipated load levels and prudent design. If the application is NEC 701 legally required systems, the generator is sized for loads that are expected to operate at one time. For optional standby sizing, the code requires compliance with NEC 220 calculations or another authority having a jurisdiction-accepted load calculation/sizing process.

Spare or future capacity must also be considered when making initial Genset selections or recommendations while balancing the owner’s first cost and long-term needs.

Industrial Generator Safety

Skid Mounted Unit

Units must be set on a solid, level surface capable of supporting the generator set during operation. When placing a unit, an approved lifting apparatus (fork truck or crane) must be used. Automatic transfer switch sizing and conductor sizing must meet NEC standards. Fuel is supplied from a remote location (diesel or natural gas). Exhaust must be insulated and routed out of the building to the atmosphere.

Mobile Unit

The unit must be located on a solid surface and leveled. Mobile units are completely self-contained and can be transported with fluids. Temporary Cable must be located out of traffic area. The industrial generator can be connected to the automatic transfer switch or load using an approved manufacturer’s plug or using individual electrical lugs that connected to terminals.

Advantages of Owning a Generator

Long-term use is a primary reason for purchasing an industrial power generator set. Selecting the proper size and generator rating is imperative when designing the power generation system.

A rule of thumb for ratings is:

Emergency/Standby – Used when utility power fails
Prime – Used approximately 8 hours per day
Continuous – Continuous operation. Shut down for maintenance
Establishing the properly rated generator for the application is an important part of the advantage’s equation. If an improperly sized or rated generator is installed, the system may not perform to expectations, experience a greater failure rate, or both.

Once the correct generator is selected and installed some key advantages of purchasing are:

Asset Ownership – You own the equipment and are not locked into rental agreements, set time periods, and can also resell it if desired.

Savings vs. Long Term Rental Costs – When renting a large commercial generator over many months the cost can escalate fast. This is where it is helpful to look at all the possible scenarios and do the math on how much it costs for extended rentals with monthly breakdowns, and also consider what happens if you need the industrial generator for longer than initially planned (which is quite common).
You Control Power Availability – Emergency, prime, or continuous power in a permanent installation is not controlled by a rental contract. Your facility is also never limited in the event that local rental generators may not be available during peak rental times (like hurricanes and major power outages).

No Ongoing Maintenance Fees from Rental Providers – If you are a heavy user and rack up the hours on a rental industrial power generator you will most likely be required to pay for all additional service provided to maintain the generator at set hour intervals (such as load bank tests and service), which adds to the cost of renting.

Internal Staff Maintenance and Repair Options – Facilities with a maintenance staff can elect to perform their own maintenance and repairs saving some cost. More advanced testing, such as load bank testing is still usually contracted out with a local service provider

Configuration Modifications – Every generator installation is different from the last, permanent installations require individual configurations that rental units often do not offer including things like the ability to customize wiring, fabricate custom ad-on, modify enclosures, and customizing exhaust systems and fuel tanks just to name a few.

External Vendor Maintenance and Repair – For facilities with limited or no maintenance personnel, the most qualified local generator service provider can be used.