Backup Power Specialists in Carolina: EPSS Services that Every Facility Needs

Has it been awhile since your facility had its emergency power supply system (EPSS) serviced? If so, the next power outage could find you where you do not want to be"”in the dark. A facility's EPSS should be maintained in one of two ways: by in house technicians that specialize in EPSS maintenance, or by a backup power service provider. Because EPSS specialists can be expensive to hire, many facilities outsource EPSS maintenance to a service provider. In the Carolina area, Prime Power is the premier EPSS service provider for commercial and industrial power users. If your facility's EPSS is behind on testing and maintenance, call us today to schedule the following services, as needed:

Generator Testing

Facility's that have level 1 and level 2 generators should test them according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code 110. Section 8.4.2 of the code states that a generator should be tested under available load for thirty minutes each month. If it fails to (a) achieve the minimum temperature for exhaust gas based on the manufacturer's recommendations or (b) operate at a minimum of thirty percent of the nameplate kilowatt rating for at least thirty minutes, it should be exercised once a year using a load bank.

Load Bank Testing

If a generator operates at less than thirty percent of its nameplate kilowatt rating during monthly testing, it should be exercised with a load bank once a year according to NFPA 110. Section 8.2.4.3 of the code states that the generator should be operated for a period of two continuous hours, as follows:

• 30 minutes at 25 percent of the nameplate kilowatt rating
• 30 minutes at 50 percent of the nameplate kilowatt rating
• 60 minutes at 75 percent of the nameplate kilowatt rating

Your facility's generator may also need load bank testing to resolve wet stacking, a condition where unburned diesel fuel leaks into a generator's exhaust side, making it less efficient and predisposing its engine to premature breakdown.

Infrared Scanning

Infrared scanning detects abnormal heat patterns that are emitted by electrical components. Often, these heat patterns indicate problems that are just beginning, and can be repaired inexpensively. Infrared scanning is an affordable, fast process that is often completed in a day. The money it can save in repair costs, and the reliability it can add to an EPSS, makes it indispensable.

Scheduled Maintenance

Like other types of equipment, a generator that receives scheduled maintenance remains in good condition over the course of its lifespan. The biggest misconception about generator maintenance is that, because a generator is usually at rest, it requires low-level maintenance. On the contrary, diesel generators need maintenance checks on a daily, weekly, monthly, biannual, and annual basis. Prime Power can evaluate your generator and determine the right maintenance schedule for each component.

Call Prime Power for Your EPSS Needs

As the premier backup power specialists in the Carolina area, Prime Power has served commercial and industrial power users for over twenty-five years. In addition to the services above, we also perform:

• Breaker testing
• Healthcare utility management
• Modernization and retrofits
• Arc flash analysis and training
• Switchgear maintenance

If your facility's EPSS is behind on testing and maintenance, the time to bring it current is now. Call Prime Power today for a free consultation.