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- 3 Phase
- In the world of electricity generation and distribution, 3-phase power is a fundamental concept that plays an important role in industrial and commercial applications. Unlike single-phase power, which is commonly...
GENERATOR JARGON BUSTER
A
- AC Generator
- Definition “Electrical generator that produces alternating current (e.g. alternator).” An AC generator, also known as an alternator, is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form...
- Ampere (Amp / Amps)
- If you’re dealing with diesel or petrol generators, you’ve probably come across the term amps (short for amperes). But what exactly are amps, and why do they matter when choosing...
- Acoustic Enclosure
- Ever been near a power generator and felt like your ears were about to burst? That loud, constant hum is more than just an annoyance—it can be a serious health...
B
- Bulk Tank
- Definition “A large fuel storage tank from which the generator may take its supply of fuel for immediate use.” A bulk tank is a large-capacity fuel storage tank used to...
- Busbar
- Definition “Interconnecting high current circuits in a switchboard or building with copper or aluminium conductors of various forms.” A busbar is a metallic strip or bar, typically made of copper...
- Biofuel
- With the world shifting towards cleaner, greener energy, biofuel has emerged as one of the most promising alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. But what exactly is biofuel, and how does...
- Black Start
- Definition “The starting of a power system without an external power source.” A black start is the process of restarting a power system after a complete shutdown without relying on...
- Brown out
- Definition “A voltage decrease in the utility mains power supply that is either deliberate or unintended.” A brownout occurs when the voltage level in the electrical grid drops below normal...
- Backup Generator
- Imagine this: a sudden power cut leaves your home in darkness, your business grinds to a halt, and critical hospital equipment stops working. Sounds like a nightmare, right? This is...
- Biogas
- As the world moves towards cleaner, renewable energy, biogas is emerging as a powerful and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. But what exactly is it, and how can it help...
- Bunded Fuel Tank
- If you store diesel, petrol, or any other type of fuel, then you’ve probably heard of bunded fuel tanks. But what exactly are they, and why are they considered the...
C
- Circuit
- Circuit: The Foundation of Electrical Power Flow Definition "An electrical circuit is an interconnection of electrical elements with a power source and a closed loop return path for the current."...
- Circuit Breaker
- Definition “When the current level in a circuit surpasses a specified amount, this protective device immediately interrupts the flow of electricity.” A circuit breaker is a safety device that automatically...
- Close-fit
- Definition “A generic word for a canopy enclosure meant to fit onto the generating set’s base frame; these can be soundproofed or just weather protected.” A close fit is a...
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- In today’s world, where energy efficiency and sustainability are top priorities, CHP (Combined Heat and Power) is emerging as a game-changer in power generation. But what exactly is CHP, and...
- Contactor
- Definition “An electrically operated heavy current switching device.” A contactor is a high-power electrical switch used in generators and power systems to control large electrical loads. It allows for safe...
- Canopy Generator
- When it comes to generators, many people focus on power output, fuel type, and efficiency—but what about protection and noise reduction? This is where a canopy generator comes into play....
- Containerised Generator
- In today’s fast-paced world, where uninterrupted power is critical for businesses, construction sites, and emergency backup, containerised generators have become an essential solution. But what exactly are containerised generators, and...
- Critical Power
- In today’s world, power reliability is more important than ever. Whether it’s a hospital, data centre, airport, or manufacturing plant, certain facilities simply cannot afford a power outage—not even for...
D
- Day Tank
- Definition “A tiny fuel storage tank from which the generator draws its immediate fuel supply, usually containing 6-10 hours of fuel.” A day tank is a small, auxiliary fuel tank...
- Decibels
- Definition “The unit for both sound pressure and sound power level. Abbreviated as dB and dBA.” A decibel (dB) is the standard unit for measuring sound intensity, including the noise...
- Deviation Factor
- Definition “Deviation factor indicates the percentage deviation in the value of performance measure with respect to its minimum value.” In the context of generators and power generation, the deviation factor...
- Direct Current
- Definition “Current flow in one direction.” Direct Current (DC) is a type of electrical current where electric charge flows in a single direction, unlike Alternating Current (AC), which periodically reverses...
- Duty Assist
- Definition “An arrangement in which multiple generating sets support each other if one fails to operate or meet a certain goal.” Duty assist is a power management strategy where multiple...
- Diesel
- Diesel fuel is a critical energy source for diesel generators, providing efficient and reliable power for various applications, including backup power, industrial operations, and off-grid energy solutions. As a high-energy-density...
- Diesel Generator
- Diesel Generators: The Ultimate Guide to Reliable Backup Power Introduction In a world where power outages can disrupt businesses, homes, and critical operations, having a reliable backup power source is...
- Distribution Board
- Imagine a world where all electrical circuits in a building run directly from the main power source without any control or protection. The result? Frequent short circuits, electrical overloads, and...
- Double Skinned Fuel Tank
- When it comes to fuel storage, safety, durability, and environmental protection are top priorities. Whether you’re storing diesel, petrol, biodiesel, or other fuels, using the right type of fuel tank...
- Double Skin: Enhanced Protection for Fuel Tanks in Power Generation
- Definition “The extra layer inside a fuel tank and piping that helps to reduce the chance of a leak.” A double-skinned (double-wall) fuel tank features two layers of containment to...
E
- Exhaust Silencer
- Exhaust silencers play a crucial role in reducing noise pollution generated by internal combustion engines, including those used in diesel and petrol generators. These devices are designed to minimise the...
- Emergency Power
- Imagine a sudden power outage in a hospital, data centre, or airport—life-saving machines stop working, critical data is lost, and operations come to a standstill. This is why emergency power...
F
- Fillpoint Cabinet
- Fillpoint cabinets are a crucial component in fuel management systems for diesel and petrol generators, ensuring safe, efficient, and controlled fuel transfer. These cabinets serve as designated fuel fill points,...
- Frequency
- In electrical power generation, frequency refers to the number of cycles of an alternating current (AC) signal per second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and determines how often the...
- Fuel Lines
- Fuel lines play a key role in the operation of internal combustion engines, transporting fuel from storage tanks to the engine or between tanks. Whether in vehicles, generators, or industrial...
- Fuel Polishing
- Did you know that stored fuel degrades over time, leading to clogged filters, engine failures, and costly downtime? Whether you’re storing diesel, petrol, biodiesel, or marine fuel, contamination is a...
- Fuel Management
- In industries that rely on diesel, petrol, or alternative fuels, one of the biggest challenges is managing fuel efficiently. Whether you’re running a fleet of vehicles, industrial machinery, generators, or...
- Fuel Tank
- Whether you’re running a backup generator, a fleet of vehicles, or an industrial operation, having a reliable fuel storage system is essential. Fuel tanks provide a safe and efficient way...
G
- Generator
- Imagine a sudden power outage during a storm, in a hospital, or at a construction site. Without electricity, essential systems stop working, businesses lose productivity, and daily life becomes inconvenient....
- Generator Commissioning
- Imagine investing in a high-quality generator, only to face unexpected failures, inefficiencies, or safety hazards due to improper setup. Whether for hospitals, data centres, factories, or residential backup power, a...
- Generator Installation
- A generator is one of the most reliable solutions for backup power, off-grid electricity, and industrial energy needs. But buying a generator is just the first step—proper installation is crucial...
- Generator Maintenance
- A generator is a lifeline for businesses, industrial sites, hospitals, and data centres, providing backup power during outages and ensuring uninterrupted operations. However, just like any other machine, generators require...
H
- Hybrid Generator
- As the demand for reliable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly energy solutions grows, businesses and industries are turning to hybrid generators for power generation. Unlike traditional generators that run solely on diesel,...
K
- Kilo-volt-ampere kVA
- When choosing a generator, UPS system, or electrical equipment, one of the most important specifications you’ll come across is kVA (kilovolt-amperes). But what exactly does kVA mean, and why is...
- Kilo-watt kW
- When selecting a generator, UPS system, or electrical equipment, one of the most important specifications is kW (kilowatts). But what exactly does kW mean, and why is it essential for...
L
- Lease to Own
- For many businesses, having a reliable backup power source is essential to ensure uninterrupted operations. However, purchasing an industrial generator outright can be a significant financial burden, especially for small...
- Load Bank Testing
- Load bank testing is a critical maintenance procedure that verifies the efficiency and reliability of a generator by subjecting it to simulated load conditions. This controlled test ensures that a...
O
- Overload
- In the context of electrical power generation, overload refers to the condition where an electrical circuit, including a diesel generator, exceeds its rated capacity. This can lead to overheating, equipment...
P
- Parallel Operation
- Parallel Operation: Synchronising Generators for Increased Power Supply Definition "Operating two or more generating sets together to supply an electrical load." Parallel operation refers to the process of connecting multiple...
- Power Factor
- Have you ever noticed that generators, transformers, and electrical systems are often rated in both kVA (kilovolt-amperes) and kW (kilowatts)? The difference between these two measurements comes down to an...
- Prime power
- Prime power is “the greatest power that a generator can continually deliver while supplying a varied load indefinitely.” Prime power refers to a generator’s maximum continuous power output when supplying...
- Petrol Generator
- A petrol generator is one of the most common and accessible backup power solutions for homes, businesses, and outdoor applications. Whether you’re preparing for a power outage, running tools on...
- Power Cut
- A power cut—also known as a power outage, blackout, or power failure—is a temporary loss of electricity supply to a specific area. Power cuts can occur unexpectedly due to faults...
- Power Quality
- In today’s world, where businesses and industries rely heavily on electrical equipment, computers, and automated systems, maintaining high power quality is crucial. Poor power quality can lead to equipment failure,...
R
- Remote Control Generator
- Imagine being able to start, stop, monitor, and control your generator remotely—whether you’re at home, in an office, or managing a site miles away. A remote control generator allows users...
- Remote Monitoring
- Imagine having the ability to monitor, control, and troubleshoot your generator from anywhere—without needing to be on-site. Remote generator monitoring makes this possible, offering real-time tracking of generator performance, fuel...
S
- Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR)
- A contracted service where a provider delivers a contracted level of power to the National Grid. Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) is a demand-response service where generators, battery storage systems,...
- Sound Pressure Level
- Definition “Sound pressure level (SPL) is the sound level measured in decibels (dB or dBA).” In the context of generators and electricity generation, sound pressure level (SPL) refers to the...
- Starting Current
- Definition “Starting current is the current drawn by an electric motor during starting.” When an electric motor or generator starts, it requires a higher initial current to overcome inertia and...
- Surge
- Definition “A high increase in the quantity of electricity over a very short time.” A surge is a brief, sudden spike in voltage that exceeds the normal power supply level....
- Selective Catalytic Reduction
- As industries and businesses become more environmentally conscious, reducing emissions from diesel generators and power plants is a top priority. One of the most effective technologies for achieving cleaner emissions...
- Single Phase Generator
- When selecting a generator, electrical supply system, or power distribution network, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to use single-phase or three-phase power. Single-phase power is the...
- Switchgear
- In any electrical power system, controlling and protecting circuits is essential to prevent faults, power surges, and equipment damage. This is where switchgear comes into play. Switchgear is a combination...
T
- Thermostat
- Definition “A device that switches at a designed temperature, used to control temperature.” A thermostat is a temperature-sensitive switch that helps regulate cooling and heating systems in generators, electrical equipment,...
- Transformer
- Definition “A device for changing the value of an alternating current or voltage.” A transformer is an electrical device that modifies voltage levels in an alternating current (AC) system. In...
- Thermographic Surveys
- In industries where electrical and mechanical systems are critical, preventive maintenance is essential to avoid unexpected failures, costly downtime, and fire hazards. A thermographic survey is one of the most...
- Tower Lights
- Tower lights are portable lighting systems mounted on tall structures, designed to provide bright, reliable illumination for outdoor work sites. These lighting units are widely used in construction, mining, events,...
- Traffic Management
- Traffic management plays a crucial role in generator installation and transportation, ensuring that large and heavy equipment can be moved and positioned safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. Whether transporting...
- Turnkey Power
- In the power generation industry, turnkey power solutions provide an immediate, fully functional electricity supply without the complexities of design, procurement, and installation. These solutions are designed to deliver pre-engineered,...
U
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and electrical disturbances can cause data loss, equipment failure, and business disruptions. For homes, businesses, and industrial operations, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provides a reliable...
V
- Volt
- Whether you’re choosing a generator, battery, or electrical appliance, one of the most important terms you’ll encounter is volts (V). But what exactly is voltage, and why does it matter...
- Voltage Dip
- Definition “A temporary dip in generator voltage when a load is attached, before the AVR system corrects it.” A voltage dip occurs when a generator experiences a momentary drop in...
- Voltage Regulation
- Definition “The process of maintaining a consistent voltage level in a generator despite changes in load.” Voltage regulation ensures that a generator delivers a stable voltage output, even when electrical...
W
- Watt
- Definition A watt (W) is the standard unit of power in electricity generation, measuring the rate at which electrical energy is produced or consumed. It is commonly used to define...
