Maintenance for Generator Sets

To ensure the correct operation of the generator sets and to prolong their service life, it is essential to carry out adequate maintenance specific to each of the systems in the equipment: mechanical motor, alternator, chassis, fuel tank, battery and control panel.

Maintenance should be performed on a regular basis and requires training, as well as specific tools and knowledge. Consequently, it should be done by qualified personnel with a sound knowledge of and respect for safety rules.

Likewise, the type of motor in each generator set – brand, model, function, power and whether it uses petro or diesel – and the environmental conditions determine the specific needs and maintenance protocols.

Types of Revisions

For all the generator sets – except the emergency sets, which require special maintenance – there are 3 types of revisions: sporadic, regular and extraordinary.

Sporadic revisions

This is a basic check, which is very simple to perform and can be done by the generator set user. It consists of starting up the equipment in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. It should be carried out on a regular basis and takes a few minutes.

Regular and extraordinary revisions

The regular revisions should be carried out by suitably trained technicians (at Inmesol we facilitate this training to our clients) and the extraordinary maintenance is performed exclusively by qualified personnel from the Inmesol Technical Assistance Network.

 Maintenance for Emergency Equipment

Given that the function of this type of generator set is to operate exclusively when there is a failure in the electricity supply network, it is important to change the following at least once a year:

• The oil
• The oil filter
• The diesel filter
• The diesel pre-filter, if there is one.

Motor Maintenance

Just like vehicle engines, the motors in generator sets have combustion chambers, pistons and different auxiliary systems: the cooling system (radiators and ventilators), the filtration system (air, oil and fuel), and the electrical system (responsible for turning the equipment on and off).

In the filtration system, the air, oil and fuel filters, as well as the fuel itself, must be replaced after a determined number of service hours. This is normally required once a year, but the timeframe varies according to the manufacturer and other factors. For example, in the case of the air filters, the replacement frequency depends on the concentration of dust particles in the environment surrounding the generator set. It is also important to remember that the motor must be cold before carrying out maintenance on the fuel filter to prevent the risk of fire.

For the electric system, the battery power must be checked regularly and the electrolyte level must be tuned, adding distilled water to compensate for inevitable evaporation. To verify the density of the acid solution, the technicians use a densimeter.

At Inmesol we have a maintenance KIT for our clients, which offers all the guarantees of the INMESOL brand, as well as a large stock of replacement parts, meaning pieces can be substituted immediately.

Maintenance of Other Components

In addition to all the elements described above, a generator set contains a series of components which also require preventative maintenance: 

• Gas exhausts: revision of the silencer and the exhaust flow.

• Moving parts: revision of the ventilators, the belts and their respective tensors. The alternators have roller bearings which do not usually require maintenance, but they must be replaced after around 25,000 service hours.

• Windings: it is advisable to measure the ohmic resistance of the casing which protects the equipment from time to time, to check whether there is adequate earthing.

• Control panel: revision of the fuses and cleaning of the contacts as necessary.

The table below offers guidance on the frequency of maintenance required for the different components in a genset: