Electricity is crucial for any business to run. Power disruptions can cause significant delays or backlogs in your operations and may even result in having to scrap products. As a result, any business must have an industrial generator to ensure uninterrupted power in case of an outage.
Since your generator is critical to your operations, it must remain in optimal condition. One way to do this is to perform regular inspections. How often you inspect your generator will depend on various factors, including the generator performance manufacturer’s recommendations.
Preventive maintenance for industrial generators should start with regular inspections to help you monitor and improve your generator’s performance. They can also help prevent your generator from failing when you need it the most. There are many benefits to regularly checking your generator, including the following.
According to your manufacturer’s recommendations, you may need to inspect your industrial generators several times, including before use, monthly, annually and when you notice a performance decline.
The inspections’ extent will depend on when you perform them. Some may only be quick, visual checks to identify any visible issue, while others will be in-depth inspections that evaluate your generator and its components. Here is a breakdown of how often you should have your generator inspected.
Generators should come with an owner’s manual that details all the manufacturer’s recommendations for keeping your generator in good working condition. This document should state how often you should inspect your generator, including when to replace specific components.
You should perform a quick visual check every time you use your generator. During this inspection, look for any visible issues and signs of overheating or leaking. Ensure you have sufficient fuel to provide power, and perform a test run if you haven’t used your generator recently. The test run can help you identify any issues that may impact its performance.
Performing a monthly, in-depth generator inspection can help you catch any problems early, especially if you use your generator regularly. Ensure your maintenance team has your generator on their monthly checklist. Check the oil and fuel levels, topping them off as needed. Run an alignment test to identify problems early to prevent issues from worsening. Check the internal and auxiliary components for wear and damage.
Industrial operations are busy, so monthly evaluations may not be feasible for your team. If that is the case, they should aim for one full-scale inspection and service once a year. Even if your team can perform inspections more regularly, annual reviews are essential. These should check every component and device in the generator or involved in its operation, including:
During annual inspections, it is also crucial to evaluate your generator’s performance through load tests and vibrational analyses. These tests will help your team understand how well the generator works and if there is a way to improve its efficiency. Annual tests will help you know what needs repairs and how using your generator throughout the year may wear it down.
If you notice your generator’s performance is declining slightly or underperforming, it’s time for a thorough inspection. An evaluation can identify what impacts performance, allowing you to correct it to ensure your generator performs at its best. When performance decreases, an inspection can help determine if you need to repair or replace your generator.
Some signs that your generator’s performance may be deteriorating include shorter operation times, increased power consumption, overheating and increased vibration.
How you service and maintain your industrial generator will depend on the type and model you have. The owner’s manual will guide you on how often to service your generator and the various components. Your team may be able to handle some of the repairs and maintenance. However, getting certified professionals to install, repair and maintain your generators to ensure optimal performance is always a wise idea.
Create a checklist and schedule based on the manufacturer’s recommendations for the parts you can service. Some manufacturers may even have a preventive maintenance list as a guideline. Regardless of the type of generator, there are a few servicing steps to follow every time.
Generator service and maintenance are crucial to ensure it operates properly and can pass your team’s various inspections. Industrial Electrical Company provides industrial generator repair and maintenance services to help you keep your equipment running smoothly. Our generator services include automatic transfer switch maintenance, certified factory retrofits and startups and load bank testing.
We are on hand 24/7 to help you maintain your generator and deal with emergencies to keep your operations running smoothly. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you!
Our motor shop is located right in the Central Valley and can complete any job from total welding services to custom modifications. To learn more about our services, classes and products, contact us online today.