The Importance of Regular Generator Inspection and Maintenance

Date: January 2nd, 2023

Not maintaining your generator will result in damage and complications that negatively impact its ability to perform properly. Regular maintenance keeps an industrial generator operating efficiently while preventing complications or damage to its system.

Preventive maintenance should be done at least once a year, depending on its use and environment.

Issues Risked Without Generator Maintenance

1. Dangerous Conditions

Without maintenance, a generator poses safety risks, like carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that poses serious safety risks. You should check carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

A poorly maintained generator also increases the risk of shock or electrocution accidents, especially if the environment is wet or surrounded by excess moisture. You should avoid direct contact with moisture to minimize risks.

Improper storage of fuel and gasoline is another hazard since it might spill onto engine parts. This can increase the risk of fires.

2. Expensive Repairs

Delaying regular maintenance can lead to expensive repairs and costly complications. Skipping routine maintenance leads to costly repairs that could have been prevented. This is needed in detecting minor issues in the early stages, preventing them from worsening as time goes by. This also prevents serious and permanent damage to the generator.

3. Lack of Power

One of the complications of an industrial generator is its ability to supply power effectively. If it is unattended for a long period of time, it may lose its efficiency and overall energy capacity. Routine maintenance is needed for a generator to remain functional. Forgetting about servicing your system can cause serious issues with its ability to function when it’s time to use it.

Importance of Generator Service and Maintenance

1. Maintain Power During Outages

Maintenance helps keep a generator ready during a power failure. Expert technicians have a generator maintenance checklist that they look at, including the following:

1. The engine speed.
2. The fluid and oil levels.
3. Oil filters and air filters.
4. The belts, hoses, lines, connectors, and any other accessories.
5. The control panel, as well as the engine.
6. The cooling system.
7. Generator supply connections.
8. Battery cables and battery terminals.
9. The exhaust system.

2. Ensure vital systems remain online

A generator provides a reliable backup power source for critical equipment that needs to be running at all times.

3. Increase Generator Life Span

Routine maintenance helps ensure the generator’s longevity. Diesel generators need to have their diesel fuel tank emptied and refilled at least twice a year. Fuel deteriorates over time, especially when the generator goes for long periods without use.

4. Optimize Efficiency

A well-maintained generator will run more smoothly and experience fewer complications and unforeseen issues. Wasps, birds, rats, and snakes can infest your generator’s housing. They are notorious for setting up nests and chewing through your generator’s wiring. During maintenance, all parts are checked and cleaned from damaging dirt and debris. Generator batteries are disconnected and then reconnected to ensure that there are no issues.

5. Identify Issues at an Early Stage

Preventive maintenance can help minimize the risk of issues developing. It can also identify a problem at an early stage, allowing for a preventive tune-up and avoiding costly repairs in the future. A lot of generators will not manifest symptoms of failure until they are unable to run during an outage.

6. Manage Costs

Routine inspections are a cost-effective strategy to help save money over time. The longer you go without routine maintenance, the more expensive repairs will get.

7. Lower Accident Risk

Regular maintenance reduces the risk of accidents and injuries like fires, carbon monoxide leaks, etc. Carbon monoxide is fatal when inhaled. Proper ventilation and a properly functioning generator will lower the risks of accidents. The technician will ensure that the generator is positioned in a way that fumes are released outdoors rather than indoors.

8. How to Determine the Right Generator Maintenance Plan?

Choosing the correct generator maintenance service plan that fits your needs helps optimize your generator. Your service plan should offer an effective approach to ensure your equipment is safe and performing correctly and efficiently. The plan should also proactively detect issues and optimize performance and safety.

At Power Systems West, routine generator plans are available on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on your needs. We provide a generator system functional test and inspection of the automatic transfer switch, as well as:

• Air intake and exhaust system.
• Controls and annunciation.
• Cooling system.
• Gas or diesel fuel systems.
• Generator assembly.
• Lube oil system.
• Start battery, charging, and system.
• Generator enclosure, base, and room.
• Annual lube oil and filter service, in which the engine lube oil and the primary and bypass filters are changed.
• Annual fuel system service with fuel filters changed.

Power Systems West services and repairs all makes of generators, transfer switches, and switchgear. We have nearly 40 service technicians across the western states and are the authorized KOHLER Power Systems distributor across seven states. Take advantage of our service agreements to increase the reliability of your critical systems, extend the life of your equipment, and improve your energy performance. Get a quote here.

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