How Often Should You Have Your Generator Inspected?

Industrial generator maintenance starts with an inspection. This investigative work will identify any immediate and potential problems. Knowing what’s going on with your equipment is vital to your facility’s success.

You might be wondering how often you should inspect your generator. We always recommend frequent inspections; however, you should alter your maintenance schedule if you encounter these situations.

Before Immediate Use

You should always do a quick once-over before engaging your industrial generator—inspect the exterior for any visible problems. Look for signs of overheating and leaking, like standing fluid and burnt external components.

Let the generator run for half an hour if you haven’t used it in a while. If it has sustained damage while in hibernation, you’ll be able to identify problems during this test run.

According to Manufacturer Recommendations

Busy industrial sites struggle to find time for frequent generator maintenance. You may also be confused about how often to inspect your generator, depending on how frequently you use it. When it comes to these types of questions, your best resource is the manufacturer.

All industrial equipment comes with an owner’s manual. This document details the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep your machines in good condition. Refer to the owner’s manual to see how often you should inspect your industrial generator.

When Performance Is Lacking

You should always do some digging when performance is lacking. There’s a reason why your generator isn’t operating as well as it should. A thorough inspection will reveal the cause and set you on the right path.

Is your generator overheating or vibrating more than usual? Are you noticing a reduction in efficiency and an increase in power consumption? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, it’s time to do an inspection.

Once a Year

If nothing else, you should inspect all industrial equipment annually. If you keep up with regular maintenance, you should only need to address certain tasks once a year.

Check air filters, oil reservoirs, and exhaust systems to ensure they function correctly. Perform load tests, vibrational analyses, and other performance tests. Your annual inspection should give you a good idea of what you need to work on.

You can perform some inspections on your own; others require a professional touch. Illinois Electric Works offers Midwest turbine generator services to keep your equipment running. Contact us today and let us inspect your industrial generators.