Why Generator Preventative Maintenance Matters
Your facility has a backup generator. So you’re prepared for an outage. Right?
Not necessarily.
A generator is an important part of a critical-power strategy—but simply having one doesn’t guarantee it will perform exactly as expected when utility power is lost. That’s where preventative maintenance becomes part of preparedness.
Don’t Let an Emergency Be Your First Test
Imagine severe weather moves through your area overnight. Utility power fails. Your facility’s generator receives the signal to start. This is not when you want to discover a weak battery, maintenance issue or another problem that could have been identified earlier.
Preventative maintenance gives your organization an opportunity to identify potential issues before your equipment is operating under emergency conditions.
That’s why National Preparedness Month is an ideal time to ask:
When was our last maintenance check?
What Should You Review?
The exact maintenance requirements for your equipment will vary according to the system and manufacturer recommendations, but a preparedness review should prompt your facility team to look at areas such as:
Generator Condition
- When was the unit last inspected and serviced?
- Are maintenance records current?
- Are there unresolved service recommendations?
Batteries
- Starting batteries are critical to generator operation.
- Make sure appropriate inspections and maintenance are being completed according to the equipment’s service requirements.
Fuel and Fluids
- Review the condition and appropriate levels of fluids and fuel associated with your equipment and maintenance program.
Automatic Transfer Switch
- Your generator is only one component of the emergency-power system.
- The automatic transfer switch and related electrical equipment also play an important role in transferring a facility from utility to backup power.
Testing
- Your organization should understand how its equipment is being exercised and tested and whether service recommendations have been addressed.
Think Beyond the Generator
Preparedness should also consider the entire critical-power environment. Depending on your facility, that could include:
- UPS systems
- Switchgear
- Transfer equipment
- Controls
- Monitoring
- Multiple generators
- Multiple locations
The goal isn’t simply to check a box that says “we have a generator.” The goal is confidence that the critical-power system supporting your operation is being appropriately maintained.
Preventative Maintenance Is Preparedness
The EPA encourages businesses and other facilities to use National Preparedness Month to prepare for severe-weather conditions, including hurricanes. Power preparedness should be part of that conversation.
You can’t control when severe weather will arrive. You can’t control when utility power will fail.
But you can take proactive steps to prepare the equipment your organization depends on.
Don’t let an outage be your generator’s first real test.
Schedule preventative maintenance before your critical-power system is put to the test.