- Generator sets are essential for guaranteeing a constant supply of electrical energy in case of failure or interruptions in the grid.
- Protections of generator sets are essential for preventing faults in the device, prolonging their lifespan and guaranteeing people’s health and safety.
Due to their capacity for guaranteeing the electricity supply in all types of infrastructure, generator sets play a key role in our daily lives.
They are in charge of providing electricity to areas without access to the grid, and guaranteeing constant supply in case of potential failures in it, which is especially critical in applications where maintaining safety, communication and activity is a priority. This is the case for hospitals, data centres, large factories and public spaces, among other applications.
For these devices to operate in the best conditions, it is necessary to apply and incorporate a series of protections for generators, which on the one hand, protect the machine, and on the other, safeguard its users.
When we talk about protections in generator sets, we are referring to multiple variables. With a simple approach, these are electrical and mechanical type protections.
Electrical protections in generator sets
Eliminating the electrical risks associated with the use of the generator is one of the most critical aspects, due to their effect on the safety of people who may come into contact with them. At the same time, there will be a positive impact on the durability and proper operation of the machine.
The EN 60204-1 Safety standard for machines establishes the electrical safety requirements for machines and electrical panels. This standard provides the assumption of compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Low Voltage Directive LVD 2006/95/EC.
The standard applies to the requirements that affect the design of the electrical part of a machine, and the interconnection with the low voltage electrical installation. It also imposes a series of requirements regarding necessary tests and documentation.
Focusing our attention on the essential, we must provide:
- Equipotential protection. All metallic components are connected to one another by the main grounding protection terminal, so that the electrical protections of the device guarantee that the current runs through the installation are grounded in case of there being an electrical shunt or leakage while the generator is operating.
- Electrical insulation. The generator must guarantee high insulation of the active parts of the generator set; that is, those subjected to electrical current, and inactive or user-accessible metallic parts.
Furthermore, all generator sets are equipped with specific protections for reducing damage as a result of internal or external flaws of the generator itself, as set out in Technical Instruction ITC-BT-40 on low voltage generator installations. The minimum protections, extendible by manufacturers as they consider appropriate to reduce this damage, are as follows:
- Overcurrent protections. The circuit is protected against the effects of overcurrents that may occur, breaking the circuit in an appropriate time or scaling it for foreseeable overcurrents. Overcurrents may be caused by surges due to the devices used, or high impedance insulation defects, short circuits or atmospheric electrical discharges. They can be combatted through all-pole break switches or direct relays.
- Surge protections, connected between one phase and neutral, and whose action must occur in a time of less than 0.5 seconds, from which the voltage reaches 110% of its assigned value.
- Instantaneous minimum voltage protections , connected between three phases and neutral, and which act in a time of less than 0.5 seconds, from which the voltage reaches 85% of its assigned value.
- Maximum and minimum frequency protections, connected between phases, and whose action must occur when the frequency is lower than 49 Hz or greater than 51 Hz for more than 5 periods.
Mechanical protections in generators
The basic mechanical protections that a generator set must include are those aimed at user protection. We are essentially talking about avoiding injury due to entrapment or burns.
However, mechanical protections of generator sets go further, having a clear effect on the lifespan of the generator. Its insulation from dust and dirt, as well as moisture, and therefore corrosion, will be essential for avoiding their premature deterioration.
In turn, the incorporation of insulation and ventilation elements will play an important role in this regard.
In this sense, a main component in protection of the generator set is the surround. Its incorporation in the scope of supply of the machine will depend on its place of installation.
Outdoor locations and dusty, humid or abrasive environments require the use of canopies. In these cases we are discussing soundproofed generator sets.
Another of the advantages provided by surrounds and insulation elements is the significant reduction of noise of devices, a particularly important factor when they are located near people.
Do you need an open or soundproofed generator set?
Dagartech, specialists in the manufacture of customised generator sets
Dagartech is a Spanish company specialised in offering customised energy solutions. It stands out for promoting unique projects that demand the maximum level of customisation, as well as designing, manufacturing and commercialising a large number of standard generator set products with powers ranging from 3 kVA to 2,000 kVA. With a clear orientation toward the needs of our clients, Dagartech has established itself as one of the main manufacturers of the Spanish market. The company currently has a stable presence in over 30 countries, with exports making up the main volume of its business. Quality and excellence form part of its present and pave the way for its future, which involves the company being certified on compliance with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
