BASIC STANDARDS FOR SAFE EQUIPMENT
A generator set is a machine made up of a combustion engine and an electric generator, two essential parts for its operation, which will be complemented with auxiliary equipment depending on its characteristics.
The place where the generator will be located will determine its level of protection according to specific rules and needs. If it is going to be located, for instance, within a conditioned indoor room, it may not need any special protection.
In general, the protections of the generating sets can be either of a mechanical type – against humidity, particles, external impacts, anti-contact of hot parts or moving parts -, or of a more functional nature – acoustic emissions, electromagnetic emissions, etc. These protections will affect the design of the product as well as its final price. In addition, from a technical point of view, adding protection to the generator set will always require evaluating different aspects of its design (e.g., thermal behavior).
In short, a generator set does not need, in principle, protections beyond the basic ones, which are those established by the machinery regulations for all types of generator sets, regardless of their place of installation. Normally they are protections designed to avoid injury to people due to issues such as trapping in the axis of rotation, protections due to the high temperature, or electrical contact in the live parts of the electrical machine.
The additional protections, that is, the safety reinforcement of the generator set, is carried out depending on the application, place of installation and the associated regulations. Thus, depending on the protections we can talk about two types of gensets: open type and soundproof type.
Open type generator sets
Open generator sets are those that are mounted directly on a metal frame or a structure, which supports the machines and auxiliary equipment. This system facilitates both its manufacture and execution.
The advantages of an open type set are:
- Access to parts is very easy.
- Its maintenance is easier and faster.
- It helps the heat generated by the machines to dissipate quickly.
- The simplicity of an open type set makes it cheaper.
However, this kind of equipment must be installed in a conditioned covered room, without excess humidity, adequate ventilation, cleaning, etc. All these features are necessary for the open set to function properly.
When the generator sets are installed near inhabited or working areas, special attention must be paid to the appropriate measures for soundproofing the room in order to comply with local acoustic regulations.
Air inlet, air outlet and smoke vent
A generator set needs, in addition to fuel, an air inlet, an air outlet and a flue gas outlet in order for it to work properly. Therefore, the room where the generating sets are placed must be adequately ventilated and have a smoke vent.
The surrounding air is in charge of cooling the equipment, which must remain at a suitable temperature and, of course, be free of dust and particles.
The smoke vent is essential. If this was not considered, it would end up causing the combustion engine to drown due to lack of oxygen necessary for the engine’s combustion.
Another common problem within the generator set room is the noise it generates. Depending on the layout of the room, it is necessary to bear it in mind, amongst other details.
SOUNDPROOF TYPE GENERATOR SETS
A soundproof generator set incorporates a generally metallic enclosure to protect the equipment, which makes possible to install it anywhere.
Protecting the generating set from inclement weather and other adverse environmental factors, as well as offering customers greater comfort and isolating unwanted effects produced by the generating sets during their operation are the main functions of the enclosures.
At the generator level, the enclosure protects it from rain, moisture, dust and dirt and provides the equipment with a housing to protect its components from improper handling. This allows the generator set to be placed almost anywhere. In addition, through elements incorporated into the enclosure such as insulation, ventilation, heating, etc. the equipment can be adapted to operate in cold, hot, humid, dusty environments …
At the customer level, an enclosure usually incorporates a barrier for acoustic insulation, electromagnetic emissions and vibrations to the ground. In short, it isolates from all the harmful and unpleasant effects of the generator set so that the customer perceives them as little as the technology allows, always complying with current regulations.
However, it must always be taken into account that, although the enclosure is perfect, the generator set always needs to cool down, an aspect that is usually solved with adequate air circulation.
A smoke outlet through an exhaust gas muffler will also be necessary.
Despite being well insulated, the generator set will emit noise, vibrations etc., even to a very muted degree. These factors must be considered when choosing where to place the unit, even if it is soundproof.
Another advantage of soundproof type generators is how easy they can be transported. In this sense, one of the most common formats in high-power equipment is to create an enclosure from a maritime container and with this format it is possible to transport a generator set to almost any part of the world.
Why choosing this system?
It is true that a soundproof generator set demands more work and dedication in its design and manufacture, which makes it initially more expensive. But the advantages are many:
- They are suitable for outdoor installation. Their enclosure protects the components from the ingress of water.
- This type of generators must be installed in areas with acoustic emission requirements.
- It is possible to reach its place of installation, install it, connect it and put it to work without any major requirements. This means that a soundproof unit is the most suitable option for outdoor installation when it is not possible to install it within a specifically conditioned room inside a building.
- If the generator must be installed in an inhabited area, in a hospital or during an emergency, this format offers the great advantage of connecting and leaving it ready to operate safely and keeping the limits of comfort and safety for users.
- Great versatility and flexibility.
- It is very easy to prepare a generator set to be transported, which facilitates its logistics.
- This type of generator sets maintain their characteristics of reliability and guarantee of electricity supply.
- They can be equipped with the necessary control tools to be part of a safe energy supply. They are a great tool for supplying power in remote facilities. For example, in renewable energy generation plants where there are no buildings to house this type of equipment.
- They are suitable for specific events such as a sporting event, a concert, or similar. If we are in an emergency, the installation of soundproof generator sets can be immediate, reliable and ready to operate in any part of the world if the event of an energy need: sanitary, emergencies due to a natural disaster or even when an army needs reliable power for a detachment or unit anywhere in the world.
- Its plug-and-play capability anywhere and for any type of application. All you need is fuel, and it will be ready to function at full capacity.
In any case, although they are very reliable and robust equipment and prepared to operate in extreme environments, their reliability will always depend on proper maintenance.
GENESAL ENERGY CAN ASSIST
Getting to know the characteristics of the place where the generator set will be installed and the environmental, legal, etc. limitations that may occur is essential to achieve optimum performance of the equipment. For this reason, it is so important to put yourself in expert hands, to have professionals capable of offering the best solutions for each case.
At Genesal Energy we carry out this task with the maximum guarantees thanks to our experience within the sector, our in-depth knowledge of the technologies, characteristics and regulations, and the large group of technicians and engineers ready to find the best solution for each case. Because, doubtless to say, each case is different.
Genesal Energy is always ready to provide the most efficient solution. A bespoke generator set adapted to each client. You can find us at consultas@genesal.com.