Next Generation
Member
- Location
- Birmingham Alabama
Can anyone recommend a format or book on sizing a back up generator? Any and all replies are are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Back up generator
- Thread starter Next Generation
- Start date
- Status
kingpb
Senior Member
- Location
- SE USA as far as you can go
- Occupation
- Engineer, Registered
IEEE 446 i.e. Orange Book
erickench
Senior Member
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
I have that book. It's an old one from the 1980's. It doesn't really give much information on sizing although I guess it could be useful. NEC 445.13 give's rules for sizing the conductors.
rcwilson
Senior Member
- Location
- Redmond, WA
Check the diesel generator manufacturer websites for sizing programs. I've used ones from Cat and Cummins. Other manufacturers probably have similar offerings.
If you know the loads you want to start and run these programs give you the minimum engine-generator combination that will work.
If you are looking for suggestions on how to size the loads, safety factors to use, alllowance for future growth, etc., those programs won't help.
If you know the loads you want to start and run these programs give you the minimum engine-generator combination that will work.
If you are looking for suggestions on how to size the loads, safety factors to use, alllowance for future growth, etc., those programs won't help.
erickench
Senior Member
- Location
- Brooklyn, NY
Yes you have to determine the loads yourself. This will all depend on whether it's an emergency, legally required, or optional system.
kingpb
Senior Member
- Location
- SE USA as far as you can go
- Occupation
- Engineer, Registered
IEEE 446 was revised in 1995, and reaffirmed in 2000.
It is not a cookbook, nor will you find any such book. The NEC is not a design guide either, only gives minimum requirements for safety.
CAT will provide a sizing program, but you have to understand proper loading and design first. Junk in, equals junk out. Using manufacturers programs and data for sizing typically leads to larger than necessary generators.
It is not a cookbook, nor will you find any such book. The NEC is not a design guide either, only gives minimum requirements for safety.
CAT will provide a sizing program, but you have to understand proper loading and design first. Junk in, equals junk out. Using manufacturers programs and data for sizing typically leads to larger than necessary generators.
- Status