Jump to the 3:15 mark to see OUR rental generator (and camera-friendly technicians) hard at work to supply power for this Safeway store!

Software plays an ever increasing role in our daily existence. We have travelled far beyond that fifth dimension, foreseen in The Twilight Zone back in the sixties. Driving into an automotive service station with an engine problem, what is the first thing a technician will do? They will plug the engine into a computer, because the engine is really run by software.

The same is true for backup generators. Our technicians are well versed in how system software manages and monitors your generator. Sometimes, however, our hands are tied by proprietary software that we are not allowed to operate. It can be more than just frustrating – it can result in otherwise avoidable down time. Let’s use an analogy to get the point across.

How Proprietary Software Impacts Generator Service

If your generator uses proprietary software it still can be serviced by any service company. It is when changes to the software need to be made that proprietary issues take over. Generator manufacturers that use proprietary software certify specific technicians (and provide them hardware “dongles”) to alter certain software settings that may need to be adjusted. So now not only are you restricted to a particular company, you are also restricted to a particular technician within the company. “Down Time” becomes a whole new metric.

The Risk of Having Your Hands Tied

Image if you will a frustrating scenario. You purchase the car of your dreams. You would normally have it serviced at the locally owned repair facility that you know provides the highest quality workmanship without the expensive labor rates of the dealership. Unfortunately, the non-warranty repairs can’t be completed because the manufacturer won’t allow your repair facility (or any other one not directly affiliated with the manufacturer) access to software to make the repairs.

Generator Down Time and Proprietary Software

Let us share how this situation can actually play out. One of our service reps recently had to cope with proprietary software in solving a customer issue. He had no trouble diagnosing the problem: a malfunctioning electronic control unit (ECU). Given that the ECU’s software was proprietary to the generator manufacturer, we were told (after several calls) that an authorized technician, equipped with a hardware interface we do not have, would need to confirm our assessment.

After another series of calls and call backs, we were finally able to arrange a visit by the technician. He indeed confirmed what our tech had determined two weeks earlier. The needed part came a week later but we are still trying to schedule a return service call from that vendor-approved technician. Excessive down time, inoperable or poorly operating generator power, and additional cost turned what should have been an easy layup into a seven game series.

This is not to bash the technician or the service company – everyone involved, especially the generator owner, are forced to operate within a structure that doesn’t scale well.

Purchasing New Generator Equipment

Keep this issue in mind the next time you are in the market for a new generator. You will find that most of the smaller manufacturers utilize controls with an open architecture. This means that the software is not “locked” and it doesn’t require any special connectors that are controlled by the engine or generator manufacturers. This allows you the freedom to choose the service provider that best fits your needs. And, when problems surface you will exercise better control over the “down” in down time.

If you have questions about your generator’s software, or are considering buying a new generator and want help to select one that will fit your needs, give us a call at 866-468-7697. Let us be part of your winning team.

When an outage strikes and your generator kicks in, what will it power?

We asked one of our project managers to help us answer this question. “In short, a generator can be configured to power whatever you want it to power,” he explained. For one, powering everything may be cost prohibitive, and likely unnecessary. Thinking now about the generator support you will need in the event of a power loss, will optimize your disaster-preparedness plan.

The size of your facility and the nature of your business generally dictate your generator requirements.

If you are running a real estate office, a basic, system generator may be all you need to back up your computers and lighting. If you are running a hospital you need heavy duty, diesel generator power to keep service on line for everything from operating rooms to the cafeteria.

When the lights go out, compliance with safety regulations stays in effect.

In calculating what your generator will have to power, pay attention to the safety-related requirements that apply to your facility, like fire alarms and exit lighting (which may be accomplished with battery backup instead of a generator). Are there additional requirements such as: egress lighting, gas alarm, public address systems, floor power for critical areas, critical ventilation, and essential mechanical and medical equipment? What you need is described in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code. Note that testing requirements may also be more stringent for municipal operations involved in life safety, like fire departments, police facilities or schools.

Consider what you need to keep the business running during a power failure.

Beyond regulations, a power outage can do harmful and expensive damage to essential systems in your business or operation. For example, cooling or heating may be essential to keep product from spoiling. For many organizations, important computer systems may need to be backed up as well.

One also has to consider that a generator cannot be configured to back up a smattering of equipment spread throughout a facility (powered through different electrical panels). So if a facility is determined to have essential equipment in varied locations, the cost of re-routing those select circuits into a common panel (that can in turn be backed up by a generator) may be large; if so, it may actually be cost-effective to back up your entire facility vs. tackle all the additional rewiring.

Ask yourself a critical question. How old is your generator? Are you confident it can manage the burden growth has added since your current generator was installed?

Now is the time to think about your disaster-preparedness plan.

When the iceberg is just off your starboard bow is not the time to think about an abandon-ship plan. What you expect from your generator should be a fundamental component of a disaster-preparedness plan. http://www.gotpower.com/reasons-emergency-preparedness/

We can help you figure it out.

Anything or everything can be backed up, but the right answer is likely different for each organization. At CD & Power we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to power your planning. Call us today at (866) 468-7697 to let us assist you with your generator planning and requirements.

Arc flash, also known as flashover or arc fault, is a risk for any workplace that has energized equipment. This uncontrolled electrical discharge can cause serious injury or even death for any workers in the vicinity. Read on to learn more about arc flash danger around generators and how to protect your workers.

What is an Arc Flash?

All electrical equipment is designed so electricity will follow a particular path. But sometimes, that electricity follows an unexpected path. It may jump to another conductor, or it may move to ground. An incident like this is called an arc flash.

An arc flash’s massive electrical discharge can create a dramatic and rapid increase in temperature, as much as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That can create fires and serious burns in workers, with non- fire-resistant clothing melting onto skin.

When the discharge is serious enough to vaporize the conductors, arc flash can create a supersonic shockwave called an arc blast. This explosion can be as loud as a gunshot (140 dB), with pressure upward of 2,000 pounds per square foot. This blast can send objects flying, including molten metal created by the initial arc flash. As you might imagine, arc flash can cause serious injury or death, and a worker in an arc flash accident may never fully regain her quality of life.

Protecting Your Workers

A number of situations can cause an arc flash or can increase the risk of one at the automatic transfer switch. Arc flash causes include:

• dropping tools,
• accidentally touching an energized device,
• condensation,
• dust in the air,
• corrosion or material failure, or
• faulty installation.

Experts have identified several ways to protect workers from arc flash danger. These are vital for anyone working with electricity to understand.

De-energize the circuit. This is the only 100-percent reliable way to prevent arc flash, and it should be standard practice to only work on de-energized circuits whenever possible. If the circuit must be “hot,” workers should follow all other listed safety procedures. One way of making electrified circuits safer is by installing arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) or ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). These are automatic circuit breakers that de-energize electrified circuits when they detect unusual energy flow.

Follow all safe work practices. Anyone working on an energized circuit should receive proper training. Written safety programs and on-the-job briefings are ideal, and many organizations also request an Energized Electrical Work Permit (EEWP) from all employees working on the electrified circuit. This training should include instructions on reading arc flash warning labels, differentiating between live and de-energized equipment, determining nominal voltage and determining clearance distances.

Use insulated safety equipment, including gloves, mats and blankets.

Barricade the approach boundaries, and restrict access to certified personnel. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has designated certain approach boundaries surrounding an exposed, energized part. The innermost boundary is the prohibited approach boundary, and entering this zone is considered equivalent to touching the live part. The restricted and limited approach boundaries describe areas in which there’s a steadily decreasing risk of arc flash. The flash protection boundary is the outermost boundary; anyone from this point onward is at risk of a curable second-degree burn.

Be aware of circuits’ energy levels. For instance, if a generator feeds an automatic transfer switch (ATS), the ATS and all other equipment downstream often has higher energy levels than it would if fed by normal mains electricity. This can increase the risk of arc flash, and necessitates greater safety precautions.

Arc flash is a serious risk to workers’ safety, but with a little care you can protect your employees. And if you have any questions about your generator’s arc flash risk, or if you need it serviced, don’t forget to reach out to CD & Power for help: the time you take could save your employees’ lives.

What the Art of WarTells Us About Readiness

Sun Tzu was a sixth century B.C., Chinese army general whose influential writing on military strategy figures into the curriculum even today, at West Point. Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s attack on Pearl Harbor, was a devoted follower. About readiness Sun Tzu wrote

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our readiness to receive him…”

His lesson about readiness may offer direction to us about generator management and specifically, rupture basin readiness.

A Good First Step: the Annual Leak Detection Verification

The California Fire Code (CFC 5003.2.9-5004.2.2.5) is good place to start. The annual inspection mandated by the state, confirms that existing alarms for secondary containment systems are functioning.  Our CD & Power field technicians can perform the rupture basin sensor verification which covers tanks with up to 4 sensors and alarms located either on the generator control panel or in the same room as the generator.  Additional sensors can be verified at an additional charge.  We remove the leak detection float sensors and trigger them manually to certify that both audible and visual alarms are performing.

But don’t stop there.

Readiness Demands Constant Vigilance

There are a lot of things you cannot control like natural disasters, brownouts and human error. You can have training programs and systems to erase human error but there is always going to be somebody who forgets to turn the power on. But you can control readiness.

Institute a regular maintenance routine to ensure you’re truly ready for anything. We can provide you with clear-eyed plan for keeping your backup power system completely ready.

Rupture Basin Readiness Protects Your Generator

A rupture basin not only serves to contain a potentially dangerous spill, it has sensors designed to alert you when it senses liquid such as diesel in the basin.

Failing sensors sabotage the warning system leaving you in the dark when a spill happens. While the rupture basin will contain all the fuel in your tank and then some (unless there is a problem with it), fuel could be draining from the generator, thus reducing its emergency backup power. You may not be able to operate for long if you are unaware that traces of fuel have leaked out.

If the leak goes undetected and fuel is added to the tank, fuel could overflow the basin exposing your operation to environmental violations and the long shadow of huge fines that follow.

Commitment to Readiness

At CD & Power we are on a mission to make sure our clients are ready, 24/7 every day of the year. That means being ready for an outage, ready for the inspectors, ready to keep their operations rolling no matter what. To learn more about our Rupture Basin Sensor Testing service or to schedule a consultation, contact us.

At CD & Power we get calls all the time asking, “Why did my generator just start up for no reason” or “Why didn’t it start when we had an outage?” Even in one case, “My generator is haunted. Can you help me out?”

The questions are not without merit. Your generator is a complex piece of equipment that for most of the time, particularly if it is not exercised on a regular schedule, sits idle.

It’s not unlike that multi-million dollar “closer” on a baseball team. He sits around most of the time. Days go by where he relaxes out in the bullpen and, the only thing he’s doing with that million dollar arm is lifting a Gatorade. But late in a tight ballgame he needs to come in and throw heat for just one inning.

In a power failure you need that “heat” for much more than an inning. You need the confidence that a reliable generator is going to provide immediate and sustained, backup power. If your generator does not seem to be operating normally, it is vitally important to know why. To us, any question you might have about it is a good question.

Here is just a brief sampling of the questions we hear about generators starting and stopping.

“Why does our generator start up for no reason?”

First of all, there’s always a reason. Let’s review a few of them.

• Was there a power outage, however brief, that triggered the start?
• Sometimes, a brownout or power failure, other than a complete outage, could cause your automatic transfer switch to cut over to generator power.
• The generator is exercising per its schedule. Make sure your generator maintenance company has established an exercising schedule. How often you are permitted to run the generator for this purpose is regulated by the air quality management authority. The CD & Power Compliance Department can answer questions you have regarding regulations. Just call us at 866-468-7697.

“Why didn’t the generator start up when I needed it?”

• The most common reason is a dead battery.
• The battery charger may not be working, a common symptom when someone unknowingly turns it off at the breaker or puts it on the same circuit as the block heater, which trips the breaker.
• The control panel draws a little current from the battery constantly, hence the need for the battery charger to be continually on.
• A low coolant level would prevent the start. Because there is a safety issue here, the sensor setting is intentionally conservative. This means it’s quick to assess that coolant is low.
• Low fuel pressure could be a factor.
• In attempting to start the engine did it “over-crank?” The engine will only try to start so many times until it stops trying.

“Why did the generator stop running?”

• If power has been restored the generator will stop running.
• There may be a fault in the engine due to rodents. They like to take up residence in your generator and, in lieu of food, they’ll chew on wires and hoses.
• The block heater may not be working.
• Low oil pressure.
• Emissions issue, for example diesel exhaust fluid level is low, or noxious emissions have otherwise been detected.

If generator dependability is your goal, our “Generator Genius Video Series” lays out a road map to get you there.

On our website you will find what we call our “Generator Genius Series.”

In compact 2 to 3 minute videos we have compiled the collective knowledge we have gained over thirty years of fixing generators. We have produced over a dozen videos covering three major areas of concern:

• Generator Planning and Safety.
• Regulatory Compliance.
• Generator Maintenance.

If you already haven’t done so, designating one person on your staff to manage generator issues would be a sound measure. The Generator Genius videos would provide a comprehensive tutorial for that manager.

Challenge Us.

If you think you have questions we haven’t heard, challenge us. We might learn something ourselves. About that “haunted” generator? We don’t have an exorcist on our staff but we have a field force experienced in tracking and vanquishing the demons that might lurk in your generator.

A few of our customers have asked about recent PG&E announcements and how to best be prepared. Here is what we know and recommend:

PG&E’s Announcement

1) PG&E announced its plan to proactively manage wildfire risks. You can read the full report here. Some key things to note: they will be more aggressive in managing vegetation around power lines and are warning customers now that they will conduct “Public Safety Power Shutoff[s]” when concern about wildfires is high.

2) In order to receive advance warning about potential shutoff, customers are reminded to update contact information in your PG&E Account. We encourage you to login to your account and confirm the information is accurate and as complete as possible — we recommend including multiple points of contact. The PG&E site is currently reminding visitors to do this.

3) PG&E has also published a page to help you determine if your power is likely to experience a shutoff during fire season. We encourage you to visit that page now to check. Even if your business is not directly in an area with high risk, the power line that services your facility could run through a high risk area, subjecting you to a possible shutoff. Go check this now.

What You Can Do

Regardless of where you are located, check to make sure your emergency power plan is up to date. While the risk is highest for our customers in areas at risk of wildfires (or serviced by power lines that run through high-risk areas), everyone is at risk of planned or unplanned outages or brownouts. Here is a refresher about how to create a complete emergency power plan. It would also be helpful to review our backup power “lessons learned” post after last year’s wildfires.

If you are concerned about potential shutoffs, determine your emergency power outage needs and whether or not extra power will be needed. Given these announcements, we expect many locations that rent portable generators will soon have no inventory. At the very least, we recommend that you document a thorough plan for renting portable power. Contact us to discuss your situation so we can help you determine everything from power needed to cable lengths so you could be up and running fast.

We should all be glad that PG&E is taking steps to reduce the risk of the electrical grid contributing to or starting a wildfire. We want to help you minimize the impact of outages on your operation. Take the steps above and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.