NFPA 110 Generator Testing: Why is it Important for Your Backup Unit?

NFPA 110 guidelines require many backup power supply components to be inspected on a regular basis. Generator testing makes certain each component will operate as needed without causing power supply problems. Creating a comprehensive program for maintenance is the best way to have a reliable generator when backup power is needed. Load bank testing is a very important piece of NFPA 110 generator testing and maintenance. What is load bank assessment and why is it necessary? This process allows a technician to verify system reliability. Most generators operate at a lower level than their output capability. Scheduled inspections ensure your backup system can supply the power needed during an emergency. An artificial load is put on the unit to verify safe and reliable operation. Load bank testing has many benefits including the burn up of accumulated fuel. This burn up allows the unit to run more efficiently as well as provide cleaner operation. You receive the comfort of knowing it will come through in a critical situation. Items such as oil pressure, fuel pressure, and engine temperature are monitored and recorded. This allows for extensive knowledge of a system as it is continually maintained.

Commonly Executed Breaker Testing Practices by Technicians

Load bank inspection is not the only item which must be completed by experienced technicians. Your system has many switchgear components designed to interrupt the current when it is not safe to people or the unit. Breaker testing is essential to protect your system from overloading or circuit shorts. To understand why testing is vital; you must first have general knowledge of how this component works. The power generation system has many breakers which can interrupt electrical flow through a circuit. These components are tripped when a fault is found. They create an arc through contact separation and then reinstate the electrical flow when the contacts are no longer separated. An arc can be created through compression, stretching, or vacuum processes. Arcs create a large amount of heat which a breaker must properly maintain until the problem has been taken care of. Over time, breaker contacts erode from arc creation and have to be replaced. Testing can determine if replacement is necessary among many other things.

Breaker testing includes checking each breaker to ensure proper electrical current. contact operation, proper arc creation, and reinstatement of electrical flow are all verified during an inspection. When these components cannot form the arc, overheat, or do not trip as they should, many complications can arise. Regular inspection and maintenance can be performed based on a schedule to prevent building process interruptions. Prime Power professionals can help you determine what is needed for your system. We can assist in setting up a system specific schedule. Testing allows potential problems to be detected before they result in more substantial and costly complications. Reduced current flow, overheating, short circuits, and other problems all diminish the performance of your system. When undetected, they can even harm your backup power supply. Call us today to obtain appropriate NFPA 110 generator testing for your system.