The increasing reliance of South African businesses on generator sets (gensets) to mitigate power disruptions highlights a crucial need for proper selection based on specific operational demands. Despite their growing usage, there is still widespread confusion about how to choose the appropriate genset, often leading to inefficient and costly decisions.
Understanding the differences between standby, prime and continuous applications is essential to optimise genset performance and longevity. Craig Bouwer, senior manager Gensets at WEG Africa, explains that many customers mistakenly select gensets based solely on nameplate rating. “Understanding the specific application of the genset is crucial for the right selection, and the first step is knowing that genset applications are broadly categorised into standby, prime and continuous, each with distinct operational requirements,” he says.
Standby gensets are seldom used, and are typically kept for emergency situations. These units have a limit on operational hours per year and a specific load factor. Due to loadshedding, few gensets are used solely for standby purposes in South Africa,
Prime and continuous applications are more common in the country. Prime gensets can run unlimited hours annually with variable loads, maintaining an average load factor below their maximum rating. Continuous gensets also operate unlimited hours, but with a constant and predetermined load.
Engineering manager, Damian Schutte explains that understanding the difference between prime and continuous ratings is also critical. The load factor is a key differentiator, not the unlimited time requirement, with prime applications having variable loads and continuous ones having fixed loads.
Schutte uses a vehicle analogy to illustrate the differences: a continuous genset is like a car on cruise control operating at a steady speed within its capacity on a long-distance trip, while a prime genset is akin to a vehicle driving in the city. Standby can be perceived as racing between traffic lights.
The choice of genset rating impacts its expected lifespan and maintenance needs. For example, continuous power may be required in mines during loadshedding to supplement limited grid power, while industrial applications like workshops with variable loads would need a prime-rated genset. Bouwer notes that standby power remains vital in essential service sectors for health and safety reasons, especially in environments like mines, hospitals and data centres.
As an OEM, WEG Africa uses these categories to guide customers in their genset choices, aiming to match their specific needs and expected service life. “We caution against oversimplifying the selection process by just matching the total load with a genset's nameplate rating, as this can lead to premature failure and additional costs. To ensure the correct choice, we work closely with customers – assessing their load requirements, usage frequency and operational conditions – and through this process we can ensure optimal genset selection,” Bouwer concludes.
New generation low power frequency inverters Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
New to BMG’s electromechanical range are energy-efficient Synergy PI150 series frequency inverters, which have been designed for efficient use in many applications.
Read more...Planar motor system for quality assurance Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Achieving the shortest possible inspection times, even when working with different components, is paramount when it comes to series production. This is precisely what special machine builder, stoba Sondermaschinen set out to achieve with its InspectorONE optical inspection system, which is based on deep learning and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core.
Read more...Siemens elevates automotive and aerospace simulation Siemens South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the latest update to its Simcenter portfolio, delivering advancements in aerostructure analysis, electric motor design, gear optimisation and smart virtual sensing. These enhancements are designed to streamline workflows, accelerate certification and provide deeper insights into system performance.
Read more...Turbomachinery controls: the call of duty Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
There’s a lot to be said about the unsung heroes of this world; those men, women and machines that deliver such important functions, often overlooked and recognised. One such machine is turbomachinery, and while the name does sound quite obvious to the layman, its rich history and daily functions are not.
Read more...More movement in the market
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Aerotech aims to revolutionise the market for precision motion and machine controls with an intuitive control platform.
Read more...Motion technology for all types of automation Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
News & events Electrical switching & drive systems & components
BMG has been appointed by The Timken Company as a distributor in southern Africa for the Rollon linear motion guidance system.
Read more...Servo motor series for explosive environments with expanded certification Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin’s ongoing commitment to safety and performance in hazardous environments is evident in the new certifications and product improvements for its EY and EX servo motor series.
Read more...The world’s most powerful worm
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Geothermal energy from the natural heat of the Earth is an inexhaustible resource, yet the growth of the global geothermal power sector lags behind other renewable energies. Now Swiss startup, Borobotics is hoping to speed this up with its innovative new electric-powered geothermal drilling robot, which can be used to fast-track and lower the cost of heat pump installations in confined spaces.
Read more...The impact of gearless mill drive technology on CO2 emissions
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
ABB has released an in-depth white paper detailing the vital role that gearless grinding technologies can play in driving productivity in mining while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint.
Read more...Revolutionising TIG welding for aerospace manufacturing
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Yaskawa Southern Africa has partnered with Aerosud Aviation, a leading aerospace manufacturer, to implement a cutting-edge robotic TIG welding solution tailored to the exacting demands of aerospace production.
printer friendly version