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Generator 101:

Introduction to GeneratorsJames Kerschinske

Generac

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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When would we need an emergency generator?

Causes of Outages Weather: lightning, wind, rain, snow, heat,

cold and ice Utility Equipment problems and grid

overload Fallen trees or tree growth Animal Contact Human Error: Underground digging,

cranes, traffic, vandalism, etc. Misc.: Mechanical damage, construction

error, fire, etc.

Risks involved during a loss of power Loss of Communications Loss of Security

Lost or Corrupted Data Lost Productivity Lost Confidence Continuation of Emergency Services

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When would we need an emergency generator?

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What is your emergency plan?

Catastrophic Events and

Weather cause us to

question the reliability of our

critical power systems What risks are real?

What are the most common

failures of emergency

power?

Area Date Cause Without

Power

CA 6/06 Grid

Failures

2,500,000

St. Louis 7/06 T-Storms 700,000

Buffalo 10/06 Snow 400,000

St. Louis 12/06 Snow/Ice 720,000

WA/OR 12/06 T-Storms,

Wind

1,500,000

OK/MO 1/07 Ice 500,000

Northeast 4/07 Snow 500,000

NY 6/07 T-Storms 385,000Chicago 8/07 T-Storms 615,000

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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How does an emergency generator work?

Generator and Automatic Transfer Switch

Permanent or Rental Generator

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How does and emergency generator work?

Emergency Generators are complex System Design, Installation, On-going Maintenance impact

reliability.

Single Generator designs have single points of failure Rental Power backup strategy

Consider Integrated Paralleling Solution with multiple generators

Fuel Reliability Natural Gas, Propane, Diesel, Bi-fuel

How much fuel is enough? Is fuel maintained?

Costs Fuel type, paralleled solution, enclosures, connectivity features

What is the best solution for critical power?

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Generator

CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status:Normal

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

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Generator

CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Utility failure

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

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Generator

CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Line interrupt delay

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Transfer switches signal generator to start

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Transfer switches verify rated output

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Transfer switches transfer to generator

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Utility is re-energized

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Return-to-utility timer

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: The load is transferred back to utility,generator cool-down begins

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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CriticalTransfer Switch

EquipmentTransfer Switch

Generator

Distribution Panel

Status: Generator shuts down

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION

Utility

Distribution Panel

Generator

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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What Planning Needs to be done?

Full or Limited Operation? Standby Generator picks up

selected loads automatically

Orderly Shutdown? UPS backs up selected loads

until they can be shut down

No Backup? No power until the utility

returns No services provided

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What planning needs to be done?

Who will be in charge?

Determine the loads to be backed up

What is the Voltage and Amperage? Where will the generator be located?

How will it be hooked up to the building? Who

will hook it up?

Have we scheduled a practice outage?

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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What loads are powered by a generator?

Lighting

Computers

Security System and Phone System Air Conditioning/Heat

UPS/Data

Pumps (fuel, water, etc)

Other electrical equipment

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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How do I properly size the generator?

After selecting loads (Whole or Limited) What is the Voltage (single or three phase)

What is the Amperage needed

Oversize the generator by 25% to handle motor starting andunexpected loads

Work with Engineer, Electrician or Generator Dealer

Make a written plan for this if you are relying on rental

power

kW = Volts * Amps * 1.732 * 0.8

1000

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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Where do we get one in an emergency?

Generator Dealers (Generac, Cat, Cummins, Kohler, MTU)

Equipment Rental Houses (United, RSC, Hertz)

Make prior arrangements with supplier

Have a backup plan to your backup plan! In a weather related outage, the rental inventories are limited

Have an electrician hook it up

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done? What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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Should we Purchase or Rent?

Done properly, and rental strategy could work Plan ahead

Save costs

Emergency power only when needed Guaranteed contract should be considered

Electrician should hook it up

Train personnel on operation

Have a practice power outage

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Should we Purchase or Rent?

Done poorly, it wont work Plan everything

Who is trained on-site to operate the generator?

What loads are backed up?

Volts/Amps/kW Rating Who will deliver the generator?

Dealer or outside service

Are the roads blocked due to the storm?

Where will the connections be made in the building?

Who provides the cables?

Where will I get fuel? Do I have a backup plan for fuel? How quiet is it?

Is it sized properly?

How will I pay for it?

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Should we Purchase or Rent?

Purchase Automatic Standby Power Immediately available during an outage Maintenance Plan Exercise automatically, preparing you for an outage Very affordable at any kW size

Diesel Natural Gas or Propane Bifuel

Quiet

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Generator 101

When would we need an emergency generator?

How does an emergency generator work?

What planning needs to be done?

What loads are powered by a generator?

How do I properly size the generator?

Where do we get one in an emergency?

Should we Purchase or Rent?

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Questions?James Kerschinske Generac