By Ashley Brown / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

Choosing the right industrial generator requires careful planning.

Supply capacities can range from just 50kw to over 3 Megawatts. Age, hours, and fuel type also play significant roles in your decision-making process.

However, even after you decide on a set, it’s important to ensure you get the most out of it. Both prime power and standby generator sets require certain considerations before installation.

Of course, the fuel delivery system is one of the first considerations that come to mind. But there are industry-specific considerations too.

Here’s a quick look at some of the most important things you should think about when preparing for an industrial set.

Do you need to enclose your generator set?

Before buying an industrial set, think about the operating conditions. For example, if you’re in the mining industry, you know that particulates tend to accumulate everywhere. As a result, your generator unit needs an enclosure to protect it from premature damage.

Sound is another issue to consider, as noise pollution affects surrounding properties. OSHA also has noise level requirements in place to protect American workers. Therefore, you may need to invest in a sound attenuated enclosure.

In order to ensure your generator runs at its nameplate rating, choose an enclosure that’s properly ventilated.

Where will you place your industrial generator?

Industrial generators are much larger than units used to power homes, so they require a lot more space. If you don’t allow enough room for airflow, your generator will overheat.

Since industrial sets are costly pieces of machinery, placing them in an area that’s inaccessible to anyone except your technicians is important.

You should also make sure your generator is safe from the outside elements. The best way to accomplish this is by keeping it above the flood line.

Choosing a good location for your generator improves its life expectancy. It prevents damage from heat, protects it from mother nature, and reduces the odds of it getting vandalized.

How will you maintain your equipment?

If you want to maintain your generator’s life expectancy, you need to perform proper maintenance on it. This is the case regardless if you have a standby or a prime power generator.

Occasionally, you have to get rid of old components and replace them with new parts. You also have to make sure that all wires and clamps are in good shape, and that the generator is clean. You should change the filters regularly.

Failing to maintain a prime power generator may lead to unexpected downtime. But if you don’t maintain your standby unit, there’s no guarantee that it will work when you rely on it the most. This is why it’s important to check its reliability by conducting load tests.

Final thoughts

It’s important to prepare for your industrial generator. Placing it in the wrong location can substantially reduce its life-cycle.

Keep in mind that you can enclose your generator no matter what size it is. A walk-in enclosure makes it easier for your technicians to conduct maintenance.

Also, stick to the maintenance schedule for your generator to avoid issues. For instance, don’t forget to check the enclosure at least once a month, and change the filters once a year.

For more information, visit Industrial Motor Power Corp.