Power Failure Testing – Backup Generator



Power-Failure Testing – Backup Generator

Determine farm protocols to:

• Define procedures and schedule a time to test backup generator for farm power, per manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Record maintenance and testing of alarm system.

There are multiple ways to perform this procedure. The following is a template to assist in customizing a standard operating procedure for this procedure on your farm. Edit as necessary to describe the procedures specific to your farm.

Introduction

An operation that lacks properly operating emergency power-failure backup systems, including a backup generator, risks animals being harmed or even dying from suffocation during a power loss. The loss of electrical power for more than a short period of time could potentially create catastrophic financial losses for the farm. Emergency power-failure backup systems, including backup generators, must be tested on a regular basis to help ensure they will operate properly if the need arises.

Safety

Hazards: electrical shock, noise (hearing)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to help ensure safety throughout the testing process may include hearing protection and gloves.

Use caution when dealing with electricity, and avoid standing in water when tripping/cycling switches/circuit breakers or starting a generator.

Preparation

Supplies needed for testing include:

• Generator checklist from operator’s manual

• Pen

• Generator operator’s manual with testing information

• Remote alarm calling list

Procedure

Conduct a regularly scheduled generator test during a time period designated by the operation. Keep spare parts and additional fuel, oil and other necessary fluids on hand in the event that the backup system must be used for an extended period of time. Always store these items properly so that they remain usable and do not constitute a safety hazard.

Test Generator:

• Check oil level, battery condition, belt tension and condition, radiator fluid level, and fuel level in the generator. Record results from each of these items that were checked on the generator checklist record sheet.

• If the results of the checks above indicate the generator is safe to operate, push the auto-transfer test switch to start the generator.

• Continue to hold the test switch for about 10 seconds until the farm’s electrical load transfers to the generator (or as per manufacturer’s operator’s manual instructions).

• After 5 minutes of the generator operating under the farm’s normal load, record the readings from all generator system gauges/meters on the generator checklist.

• When the generator transfers the load back to the normal power supply, cools down and shuts itself off, record the generator system’s run time on the checklist. Date and initial the checklist with any comments about generator operations.

• Ensure that the generator switch is in the automatic transfer position.

• Order fuel to fill the generator’s fuel tank if it is less than half full.

Follow-up

If the generator does not start easily, does not run smoothly, fails to transfer the load quickly or if there are any other concerns about the generator’s operation or functionality, immediately contact a farm supervisor (or the generator manufacturer/supplier).

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download