Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Importance Of Power Generator Load Testing

By Claudine Hodges


Generators are essential back up power sources during emergencies. It is important for every business establishment, especially those engaged in the operational activities to have their own generator set. This way, work delays can be avoided. Actually, during power failures, you do not have to worry anymore, since you have other power source option.

However, you may also consider some situations, especially when the power goes out and your generator set does not function well as expected. The result can usually be costly and sometimes disastrous. That is why it is crucial to consider a power generator load testing on a regular basis. A generator bank test usually involves assessment and examinations of the generator set.

It can also determine if all primary components of the gen sets are in proper functions. The equipment used to conduct the bank tests also produce artificial loads on the device by bringing the engine to the right operating measures and pressure levels. This testing is very essential for the sets that do not usually run or not exposed to carry heavy loads on regular basis.

The general rule is that, if your gen set is not properly exposed to higher that the required percentage of its rated KW capacity, then you have to consider the tests. This test ensures that your equipment will function properly when needed so that you can fully depend on it during emergency situations. The main key to a proper bank test is to tests the equipment at its full KW output rating.

Usually, most of the generators are well operated at their full rating. For this reason, it is important to ensure or verify that your gen set performs ta it best while maintaining a sufficient temperature and a certain level of pressure. This way, it will also allow the tool to run at higher levels.

There are also several reasons for every generator to undergo the test on an annual basis. It can usually verify the capabilities of the tool. This way, problems will also be discovered in advance and less costly. It helps to prevent future issues and can prevent wet stacking to form in the system. It also verify the cooling engine system in performing while under loads. It provides assurance that your equipment can still work when you need them.

If the diesel powered generators are not exposed for quite some time or not even used, it more prone for buildups of soot and other components which can cause poor function and could damage the entire system. This is usually called as wet stacking. Possibly, it will occur in the device and can affect the condition of the machine and can cause fire. So, testing is very vital to know the possibilities which can affect your operations.

This will then cause the wet stacking to burn off. Thus, the test serves purposes. It determines whether it function properly and efficiently in different levels and eliminates the wet stacking that are present within the set. Part of any device maintenance plan should include an annual testing.

Load banks certainly ensure all generators to be tested at their rated capacity. You may ask why this is vital if your critical load is not equal with the capacity of the tool. The answer to this is that you cannot predict how they perform or react in any emergency situation unless it is run to its rated load and provided with opportunities to perform at higher level.




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