06.03.

2015

ContinuousPrimePowervs.BackupStandbyPower|DieselService

rime/ContinuousPowervs.Standby/BackupPower
Electric power generators can be classified in one of three ways depending on their
mode of operation: continuous, prime, or standby. Continuous and prime power
generators are very similar as they function as the main source of power and are
designedtooperatecontinuouslyorforextendedperiodsoftime.Themajordifference
betweenthetwoisthatcontinuousgeneratorsetsaredesignedtooperatecontinually
withaconsistentloadwhileprimegeneratorsaredesignedtooperateforlongdurations
atvariableload.Theothertypeofgeneratorstandby/emergencyaretoberunonlywhenthereisanoutage
totheutilitygridorthemainsourceofpowerinabackupsituation.
Continuous and prime generators are primarily used in remote locations such as mining and oil and gas
operations,construction,ships,etc.,wherethereisnoaccesstothegridtosupplyelectricpower.Thesearealso
usedwhenthereisalimitationontheamountofelectricpowerthatcanbedrawnfromthegrid.Inrarecases,it
mayalsobecheapertogeneratepowerthroughadieselgeneratorthantobuyelectricpowerfromthegrid.On
theotherhand,theneedforstandbypowerariseswhenthereisatemporarydisruptionintheprimarysupplyof
electricalpower,suchaswhenyourmaingridgoesoutfromastorm.
Like any other machinery running continuously for long hours, continuous or prime generators also need to be
ruggedtohandletheheavyloadssupportedbythem.Additionally,theseunitshavetobeabletohandlefriction
betweenmovingpartsforlongerperiodsoftimeandalsohandlesustainedheatgeneration.Thisleadstoprime
generatorsbeingmoreexpensivethangeneratorsofsimilarcapacitiesusedforstandbyorbackupsupport.
There are several features that need to be incorporated in continuous power diesel generators to make them
functionefficientlyoverlongperiodsoftime.Someofthesearedetailedbelow:
1.CoolingSystems
A.Continuous/PrimeGenerators
(i)Fortheengine:
Prime generators typically have a large cooling system. Continuous fuel combustion in the engine causes
enormousamountsofheattobegenerated.Thisheathastoberemovedbyartificialmeansinordertoprevent
inevitable buildup of temperature. Engines are often cooled by circulating cooling water in a jacket around the
engine.Thecirculatingwaterabsorbsheatfromtheengineandisinturncooledbyalargesizedradiatorfitted
withafan.Acoolingsystemisalsorequiredtocoollubricatingoil.Inverylargeindustrialgenerators(2250kW
andabove),acoolingtowerorotherelaboratesystemisoftenrequired.
(ii)Forthealternator:
Thealternatorisalsosubjecttotemperatureriseduetocontinuousflowofcurrentthroughthewindingsofthe
alternator.Therefore,thealternatorneedstohaveheavydutywinding.Thealternatoroperatescontinuouslyto
provide uninterrupted power supply. Therefore, there is no specific cooling time that can be allotted for the
alternator to cool down naturally. The cooling system usually restricts the temperature rise of an alternator to
105oC.

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B.StandbyGenerators
Standbypowergeneratorstypicallyworkforshortdurations,suchasafewhoursata
time. This gives them two advantages over continuously operated power generators.
Standbyunitshavetimetocooldownnaturallywhennotinoperation.Also,youcan
carryoutmaintenanceactivitiesonstandbyunitswithoutdisruptingthepowersupply.
Therefore,theseunitsdonotrequiresomeofthemoreelaborateandrobustfeaturesof
continuouspowerdieselgenerators.
(i)Forengines:
Since standby units work for only a limited time, they do not get heated up as much as prime generators do.
Consequently, these units require smaller cooling systems. Some small capacity standby power generators can
evenbeaircooledeliminatingtheneedforwatercirculation.
(ii)Forthealternator:
The alternators of diesel generators can withstand high temperatures for small periods of time but not on a
continuous basis. Therefore alternators of standby power generators are not designed to withstand prolonged
exposuretohightemperatures.Thesetemperaturelimitdifferencesrequirethewindingsofthealternatortohave
differentinsulationforprime/continuousvs.standbyunits.
(2)AirCleanerAssemblies:
Combustion of fuel in the engine takes place in the presence of air. Presence of dust or any other particulate
matterintheairwillclogtheengine.Sinceaprimegeneratorwouldusuallybeincontinuousoperation,itisnot
possibletocleanitsinternalpartsandcomponentsintermittently.Therefore,continuouspowergeneratorsrequire
heavydutyaircleaners,airfilters,andaircleanerassemblies.
(3)RevolutionSpeeds:
Continuouspowergeneratorsusuallyoperateatlowerrevolutionspeeds.Normally,dieselgeneratorsetsoperate
at1,800revolutionsperminute(rpm)butcontinuouspowergeneratorsoflargercapacitieshavebeendesignedto
operateat1,200rpmoreven900rpm.Thisincreasesthelifeoftheunitsignificantlyandreducesmaintenance
costs.Ontheflipside,thesedieselgeneratorsetstendtobemoreexpensive.
(4)PowerOutput:
Continuouslyoperatedgeneratorsusuallyprovide25%to100%oftheratedcapacityforanunlimitedamountof
time. Also, these units usually provide only constant output at the rated capacity. In the case of loads entirely
dependentonpowersupplyfromdieselgenerators,itisoftenprudenttohavetwoidenticalgeneratorsinstalled.
They should be connected such that when one of the units fails to function the other one should start up
automatically.
Standby generators usually provide varying outputs for the time period specified. These generators should be
connectedwithanautomatictransferswitchsotheystartautomaticallywhenthereisanoutagefromthemain
electricalsupply.
WhichGeneratorWillWorkForYouContinuous,PrimeorStandby?
Beforeyousetouttopurchaseadieselgenerator,itisveryimportantthatyoubeclearaboutthepurposeofyour
generator. Sometimes a generator may be required for standby usage only. However, if power outages occur
frequentlyand/orforlongperiodsoftime,itmightbeworththeextrainvestmentinprimeorcontinuousrated
power generators to ensure uninterrupted supply of backup power for extended periods of time. If you try to
operate your standby generator for longer than the prescribed number of hours at a stretch, it will most likely
leadtomorefrequentbreakdownsandmalfunctioningoftheunit.AlsoreadPortablevs.StationaryGeneratorsfor
futherinsightintowhatgeneratoristhebestfitforthejob.
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Ifyouareunsurewhattypeofgeneratorisbestsuitedforyourparticularapplication,besuretocontactustoday
andoneofourknowledgeablerepresentativescanhelpassesyoursituationandwalkyouthroughtheprocess.

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