An examination of design features of common generator bearings as well as practices for proper maintenance and minimal vibration.

Generator bearing selection plays a key role in determining the overall performance, lifetime, cost and maintenance methods for a generator set.  In “Find Your Bearings” we will examine differences in cost, size, application, maintenance practices and certifications between deep groove ball, spherical roller, split roller, and sleeve bearings.  In addition, we will explore the appropriate maintenance routines and practices needed to maximize your generator life.  Finally, we will discuss how vibration measurements and limits affect the design of the generator for custom applications.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand major design features, advantages and disadvantages of common generator bearing types.
• Learn how to properly maintain bearings to maximize generator life.
• Explore methods to test and evaluate generator vibration limits.

An examination of key electrical terms and how these characteristics affect Generator design and testing.

Electrical Characteristics of a generator are often overlooked or misunderstood when planning or quoting a power generation project.  This often leads to over-sizing, unnecessary testing, added costs, and even in extreme cases catastrophic failure in the field.

“Generator Jargon” will examine these crucial electrical characteristics and their effect on design, testing, and load considerations with topics including:

• Pitch
• Harmonics
• Saturation
• Reactance
• Time Constants
• Power Factor
• Voltage Dip
• Efficiency

Ensuring trouble-free and efficient generator operation.

Power generation is needed in an endless variety of locations and environments, with each installation having different factors affecting generator requirements.  Incorrect generator sizing can be disastrous in any power generation project if particular installation factors are not properly taken into account.

This webinar will introduce common factors that can affect your power supply, and will explain why the correct sizing of your generator is essential to producing the best results.  You will gain a better understanding of how winding pitch, temperature rise, altitude, harmonics and other factors affect your end power solution. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how environmental factors can affect your power generation solution.
• Learn how different types of enclosures affect generator sizing.
• Know what data is required for proper machine sizing.

The “What, How, and Why” of Generator Testing

Standard and specialized Generator Testing is a crucial process in ensuring reliable operation in the field for any given application.

In this Webinar, we’ll first explore the “what, how, and why” of standard generator tests as well as how to make sense of and apply generator testing data and curves for your particular application. This includes examining winding resistance, voltage regulation, OC saturation curves, voltage dip and rise on load, phase sequence and balance, and more.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what standard generator tests are performed, how they are conducted, and why.
• Interpret generator tests results and be able to utilize this data for a given application.
• Understand application-specific optional generator tests and the benefits these results can provide.

The Key to Genset Performance and Protection

Voltage regulators are the heart of generator performance, reliability, and safety.  Understanding the function, optimal set points, and modes of Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs) and Digital Voltage Regulators (DVRs) is crucial in ensuring the proper operation of any genset as well as offering protection to overloading.

This webinar will provide an extensive overview on voltage regulator theory and operation, including: 

• Digital and Analog voltage regulators operation
• Obtaining values for various setpoints within the regulator program
• Regulator modes and their functions
• Limiters and Protections operation and setpoints
• Programmable logic functionality (brief intro)