Troubleshooting Your Standby Power Generation System

It can be both frustrating and alarming when your power generation systems stop performing as required. When your standby generator doesn’t deliver the electricity you need to keep the lights on and the machines running, prompt assessment and correction are essential for protecting your system from damage. When it comes to “first aid” for your standby generator, the following are some fast and simple checks you can perform to identify the potential cause of the disruption.

Start With the Breaker

If your generator doesn’t start, always check the breaker first to confirm it hasn’t tripped. If the breaker has tripped, reset it and restart the generator. You should also look to confirm the main control switch is in the “on” position.

Check the Temperature

If you have been operating your generator continuously for an extended time, you should check the temperature with a thermal imaging camera, as the system may have simply overheated. If the standby generator overheats, then confirm oil levels, coolant levels, and fuel levels are within acceptable parameters. If they are low, confirm there are no leaks in the system. If there are, repair them using the appropriate patches or replacement components. If there are no leaks, wait for the generator to cool down before adding oil, fuel, coolant, and restarting the generator.

Check the Fuel System

If the generator is running rough, it can be because the fuel valve needs to be adjusted. Even a slight air bubble can cause hiccups in your power generation systems. It may also be because the fuel is of poor quality. If the valve is correct, test the fuel for water and other contaminants. If the fuel is fine, then it may be because your fuel lines are clogged.

Check the Footing

Is the generator short cycling? These may have settled and shifted if the generator is positioned on unstable ground or improperly poured foundations. If that happens, it can cause the generator to start and stop with an unpredictable frequency. Suppose visual inspection or measurements indicate a shift. In that case, it is best to uninstall the standby generator and repair the foundation because using shims and other temporary solutions can result in the problem recurring and may result in significant damage to your power generation system.

Gen-Tech Can Help

If you have examined your standby generator and cannot identify the cause of the problem, our EGSA certified technicians can help. We can troubleshoot your standby generator and determine the precise cause of the issue. In addition, our thorough inspection procedures and advanced tools allow us to thoroughly assess the condition of your system and identify any necessary adjustments or preventative maintenance that can preserve system function.

We invite you to contact Gen-Tech Power Generation Specialists at (800) 625-8324 to schedule an inspection of your power generation systems. We will schedule an appointment and dispatch one of our EGSA certified technicians to service your system.

Posted Under: power generation