When we use diesel generators, we will find that regular protection, inspection and maintenance of the generator are very important, and proper maintenance is the key to keeping the generator running properly. In order to properly maintain diesel generators, it is also necessary to understand the common faults of the generator. Here are some common fault problems of generators and the solutions that should be taken when encountering such situations.
1. Overheating
Overheating is one of the most common diagnoses in diesel generator maintenance. In generators, overheating can be caused by a variety of reasons, including generator overload, overspeed, winding insulation breakdown and insufficient bearing oil lubrication. When the generator begins to overheat, the AC generator will also overheat, which will greatly reduce the insulation performance of the winding. If ignored, overheating will further damage other parts of the generator, which may require repair or replacement.
2. Fault current
Fault current is any unintentional high current in the electrical system. These faults can cause a variety of problems for your generator. They are usually caused by a short circuit with low impedance. If the fault is a short circuit in the generator winding, the generator must be inspected or repaired immediately because the winding may heat up and be damaged.
3. Motor Drive
Generator motoring occurs when the diesel engine is unable to provide enough power to the generator to meet its load requirements. At this point, the generator system is forced to compensate for the loss by providing active power to the engine, essentially making the generator work like a motor. Motor drive will not damage the generator immediately, but if it is ignored, it may cause the engine to overheat. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the engine, which can be provided by limit switches or exhaust hood temperature detectors.
4. Residual Magnetism Loss
Residual magnetism refers to the amount of magnetization left after the external magnetic field is removed from the circuit. It is usually present in generators and engines. Losing this residual magnetism in the generator can cause some problems for the system. Residual magnetism loss occurs when the generator is not used for a long time due to aging of the excitation winding or misconnection. When this residual magnetism disappears, the generator will not produce any electricity at startup.
5. Undervoltage
If the voltage fails to rise after the generator is started, then the machine may face some serious problems. Generator undervoltage can occur randomly due to a variety of reasons, including the melting of voltage sensing fuses and damage to the excitation circuit. Another reason for generator undervoltage can be lack of use. Its AC generator uses the residual magnetism of the winding to charge the capacitor. If the machine is not used for a long time, the capacitor will not be charged, and the insufficient capacity will cause the voltage reading of the generator to be too low.
The protection and maintenance of the generator is very necessary. If the generator has these faults and is not immediately inspected and repaired, it will cause irreversible damage to the machine. Therefore, we can also regularly inspect and maintain the diesel generator to ensure the normal operation of the machine.
