How a Commercial Generator Works and How to Prevent Problems
4/5/2022 (Permalink)
How a Commercial Generator Works
Does your building in North Park Hill, CO, have a commercial generator installed? Are you suffering from generator problems? Some basic info on how these devices work is the difference between success and frustration.
1. Engine and Fuel System
As you might already know, generators don't directly produce electrical energy. They instead convert mechanical or chemical energy into electrical energy. This is done by using the power of movement and forcing electrons through an electrical circuit. For a generator to produce this mechanical or chemical energy inside the engine, it needs a fuel system. There are several parts that all work together to keep the fuel clean, pressurized, and moving through the system properly.
2. Alternator
You also have one of these devices in your vehicle, and it serves the same function: to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. Oh yes, the engine doesn't do all the work. The alternator works by creating an electromagnetic field to generate electricity. This is all possible because of the movement power generated by the engine.
3. Cooling, Exhaust, and Lubrication
Following the vehicle model here, too, a generator also produces a lot of heat as a car would. To combat this, the small moving parts are all lubricated with oil to allow smooth functioning and slow wear and tear. The cooling system monitors how much heat is being generated and regulates the warning systems. It also tells the exhaust system what quantity of fumes should be expelled as well as when to do so.
4. Preventing Problems
Most problems are preventable with proper care and maintenance of your building's generator. For example, checking the lubrication levels every eight hours of operation prevents the most common wear and tear issues. Similarly, keeping an eye out for any warnings on the control panel helps alert you ahead of time if anything is wrong. If your generator and building are damaged in a storm, it's best to call in maintenance professional as well as any storm cleanup services you might need.
Some knowledge is all it takes to keep a generator in tip-top shape.