Standby generators typically spend nearly all of their lives in preparation to supply power in the event of a power cut. The site’s Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system can handle short term mains failures or power outages. A failure that exceeds the UPS battery autonomy will not offer support to the critical load. Therefore when it is unexpectedly called upon, the backup generator must respond as it’s designed to, delivering the time-critical power protection when needed, thus ensuring power continuity.
Standby generators, like all engines, will suffer from natural wear and tear and can potentially fail. So it is important that this failure is identified before the backup generator is most needed, i.e. during a power outage, it is vital that the standby generator set is covered by a UPS generator maintenance plan that closely matches the needs of the generator and its UPS applications. This UPS generator maintenance plan should not only cover maintenance visits but should include appropriate call out cover and ensure that good spares are available.
Fundamental to any UPS generator maintenance regime is to ensure that the backup generator’s engine coolant heaters, or jacket heaters, are keeping the engine block warm and the mains trickle charger is charging the starter battery. The standby generator is started and stopped from a signal from the Automated Mains Failure (AMF) panel. This should also be checked in the UPS generator maintenance regime to ensure that it is working correctly. The backup generator on receipt of this signal will typically take 2-10 seconds to provide the power to supply the critical load. The UPS system should use its batteries to support the load during this interim period.
The cooling system has active elements including a fan, water pump and thermostats as well as a radiator/heat exchanger, hoses and connections that should be checked for leaks. The fan drive pulley and belts should be checked for wear. The fuel system has fuel lines, connections and filters requiring checking, as well as the air and exhaust system components. The lubrication oil system, the starting system and the backup generator mechanics all have components needing checking for wear, and fluids that must be replenished or changed. Additionally, a load test, typically of two to four hours duration on full load, is recommended.
Onsite visits, though indispensable, cost time and money, so the maintenance plan should meet the clients’ needs without being excessive and more costly than necessary. During these visits, technicians can perform mechanical and electrical inspection and testing, replacing worn parts, replenishing and changing fluids as required. They can also spot critical component degradation and advise accordingly to arrange for a replacement or repair of the affected part. If required and permissible, the UPS generator maintenance technicians can test the power protection system’s reaction to a simulated mains failure.
These scheduled maintenance activities are often combined in a maintenance contract with emergency call-out cover, where service levels and response times are set to match the clients’ needs and the criticality of the site. Remote 24/7 generator monitoring and testing is another complementary and highly efficient maintenance plan component. Alarms, faults and valuable operational status information are relayed to the maintenance provider’s service centre. An appropriate response is then initiated, with improved ‘first-fix’ rates during site visits. This remote generator monitoring can have scheduled as well as emergency features. The standby generator can be automatically started at a pre-set time every week, and run off-load for 10 minutes while checking vital operating parameters including voltage, frequency, battery charge condition, oil pressure, water temperature, emergency stop button and fuel level.
With the UK power station population ageing, extended blackouts appear to be increasingly likely. A backup generator can effectively offer the required extra protection, above the UPS battery autonomy, ensuring increased power protection for your critical loads.
If you require more information on any of our standby generators or UPS services please use our contact page or call 0800 731 3269.
