Electrical power outages are unavoidable and increasing in both frequency and duration. Blackouts are mostly caused by violent storms or by equipment failure due to the nation’s aging and overloaded electrical grid.
Engine generators and their ratings are governed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO)® Standard 8528-1. This standard covers Reciprocating Internal Combustion (RIC) engines, alternating current (AC) generators, and associated systems. The three principal ratings as defined in the standard are Emergency Standby, Prime, and Continuous.
“Emergency Standby Power: The maximum power for which an engine-generator is capable of delivering for up to 200 hours per year. The allowable average power output over a 24-hour run period is 70% of the standby rating unless otherwise agreed to by the RIC manufacturer.”
“Prime Power: The maximum power for which an engine-generator is capable of delivering continuously with a variable load for an unlimited number of hours. The allowable average power output over a 24-hour run period is 70% of the prime rating unless otherwise agreed to by the RIC manufacturer.”
“Continuous Power: The maximum power for which an engine-generator is capable of delivering continuously for a constant load for an unlimited number of hours.
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