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4 Industrial Generator Ratings: Explained

generac industrial power

Generator ratings specify a generator’s capability to produce power. Knowing the industrial generator ratings can help you buy the right generator, depending on the usage.

Here, we will explore the common ratings that are used to describe industrial generators. These ratings are quoted by manufacturers after testing the generators in real-world environments.

Power Ratings

Generator ratings specify the machine’s power output under specific conditions. These ratings are set by the manufacturer after multiple testing. The ratings of industrial generators are generally specified in Kilowatts (kW). Some manufacturers also specify the ratings in Kilovolts Ampere (kVA).

Industrial generators typically have high power ratings. Generac generators are available in ratings of 1000 kvA or 20 kW and more. These ratings determine the capability of the generator. A generator with a higher rating can handle a large load.

Note that a few manufacturers also rate their generators in eKW. Electrical Kilowatts represent the electrical power of the generator as opposed to the mechanical power expressed by kW and kVA. An eKW measures the raw output of the generator without accounting for conversion loss as power is converted from mechanical to electrical power.

Power Factor

Another important generator rating you should know of is the power factor. Power factor represents the performance of the generator. This term refers to the relationship between the current and the voltage in an electrical system.

The relationship depends on the phase. Typically, a three-phase circuit has a power rating of 0.8. You can convert the power rating to the power factor by using the following formula.

P.F.= kW/kVA

Standby Power Rating

Standby power rating refers to a generator’s capability to provide emergency power during a specified number of hours. The standby power ratings of industrial generators are typically 500 hours or more. The power factor of the standby power rating of industrial generators should not be more than 0.7.

Prime Power Rating

Prime power rating refers to a generator’s capacity to provide power with a varying load. The prime power rating is for only a specified percent of a load. Most industrial generators have a prime power rating of ten percent of the rated value. The overloading is allowed only once every 12 hours.

Continuous Power Rating

Continuous power rating refers to a generator’s capability to provide power to a non-varying load. The average continuous power rating amounts to 70 to 100 percent of the rated power. High quality industrial generators have a continuous power rating of 100 percent of the rated power.

Limited Power Rating

Limited power rating refers to the load that the generator can handle for a specific period. This generator rating is generally quoted when using generators in parallel.

Conclusion

Generator ratings specify the capability of the generator in handling the load. You should remember that the standby rating is for emergency power in the event of a blackout. In contrast, prime rating specifies the capacity of the generator to run with overload for a specific number of hours.

Limited and continuous ratings are also important for industrial power generators. These ratings are specified by international standards that must be followed by manufacturers.

Contact Generac Superstoreif you want to buy an industrial generator. We deal with Generac generator sales and repairs. You can find different types of commercial and residential generators.We also offer generator maintenance in Huntsvilleand Birmingham, AL, and Nashville, TN. For more information, contact us today by dialing(855) 880-1880.

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