Customer

Engineering
Bulletin
Title: This CEB is for the following applications:
G-Drive Engine Exercising and Low Load
Operation Automotive Industrial Marine

G-Drive

Date: 13 June 2018 Refer to CEB00044 for Safety Practices, CEB Number: 00159
Guidelines and Procedures

Engine models included: All

Owner: Jennifer Young Approver: per Procedure GCE-AS-1 Page 1 of 5

This CEB supersedes CEB00159 dated 15 December 2015.

Cummins Engine Company recommends that their Standby Duty G-Drive engines be exercised on a regular basis
for the following reasons.

- Demonstrate that most of the key engine and generator subsystems are functioning
- Contractual requirements
- NFPA110 requirements
- Maintain a coating of lubricating oil around the engine bearings
- Maintain a coating of corrosion inhibitor throughout the cooling system

Typically, a generator set is exercised at No-Load for 30 minutes, or until the engine has reached stabilized coolant
temperatures. This No-Load exercising is performed on Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly intervals dependent on
contractual requirements.

Standby generator sets are often “exercised” by starting and operating at rated frequency (Hz or RPM) with no
load since non-critical load is not always available for testing. However, repeated or extended operation without
load can cause combustion-related and exhaust aftertreatment problems that have the potential to cause engine
damage.

Exercise and test of a Generator Set System should include operation of the emergency transfer switch(es).

Operating the Engine at Low Load

Operating engines at no-load or loads less than 30% of the Standby Power Rating for prolonged periods of time
may result in:
Wet Stacking - Wet stacking manifests itself in the accumulation of carbon particles, unburned fuel, lube oil,
condensed water and acids in the exhaust system. This accumulation is due to incomplete combustion caused
by low combustion temperatures.
This is not applicable for engines with aftertreatment because of high exhaust temperatures.
Carboning - Carboning is the result of carbon particles deposited on top of the piston rings and in the injectors
due to incomplete burning of fuel.

Internal Use Only - For business use only by employees and authorized non-Cummins entities with a need to know basis per CORP-00-24-00-00.

Revision 04, 13 June 2018 Page 1 of 5 © Copyright 2018 Cummins Inc.

G-Drive Engine Exercising and Low Load Operation CEB 00159

Fuel Dilution of Lube Oil - Piston rings are designed for optimum sealing under elevated combustion pressures.
When these pressures are not achieved due to the application of low loads, the fuel injected into the combustion
chamber can get past the piston rings causing a fuel dilution situation in the lubricating oil.
Water Contamination of Lube Oil - If the lubricating oil does not attain the desirable operating temperature,
condensation of water may form in the engine oil pan.
Piston Detonation - Piston detonation damage is caused by excessive engine idling or low load conditions that
lead to localized burning of fuel above the top ring when larger loads are required of the engine.
Aftertreatment Damage - Aftertreatment damage is caused by running the engine at no load or low load for
extended period of time that can lead to plugging the aftertreatment filter.

Cummins Exercising Recommendations

Cummins recommends the engine be exercised monthly with a minimum load of 10% (engines with MCRS and
HPCR fuel systems without aftertreatment) and 30% (other engines) of the Standby Power Rating or loaded to
the recommended exhaust stack temperature, see Table 1. The engine should be operated with stabilized coolant
temperatures for thirty minutes. Note the MCRS engine has been designed to withstand light load conditions due
to its closed nozzle injectors, precise fuel metering, stable idle, stable combustion and precise electronic controls.
Therefore, the HPCR and MCRS engines have the least restriction on light load requirements.

Cummins Exercising Requirements

Cummins requires the engine be exercised once per year with a minimum load of 30% of the Standby Power
Rating or loaded to the recommended exhaust stack temperature, see Table 1. Operate the engine with stabilized
coolant temperatures for thirty minutes. No-Load operation and any additional exercising required by the control
and switchgear manufacturers are in addition to Cummins required annual exercising. For additional guidance
on running at no-Load and low load conditions contact Cummins application engineer. There is no Cummins
requirement to exercise the engine at 100% of the Standby Power rating.
Cummins requires that operator allow complete regeneration for about 40 minutes if aftertreatment light comes
on for automatic regeneration after several exercised periods and make sure lamp turns off before engine shut
down to prevent aftertreatment damage. Refer to AEB 24.40 for exhaust after treatment functionality and AEB
15.98 for regeneration switches.

NFPA110 Standards
The U.S. National Fire Protection Assoc. (NFPA 110 – 2010) states:
8.4.2 Diesel generator sets in service shall be exercised at least once monthly, for a minimum of 30 minutes, using
one of the following methods:
(1) Loading that maintains the minimum exhaust gas temperatures as recommended by the manufacturer
(2) Under operating temperature conditions and at not less than 30 percent of the EPS (Emergency Power
Supply) nameplate kW rating 
 
8.4.2.1 The date and time of day for required testing shall be decided by the owner, based on facility operations.

8.4.2.2 Equivalent loads used for testing shall be automatically replaced with the emergency loads in case of
failure of the primary source.

8.4.2.3 Diesel-powered EPS installations that do not meet the requirements of 8.4.2 shall be exercised monthly
with the available EPSS (Emergency Power Supply System) load and shall be exercised annually with
supplemental loads at not less than 50 percent of the EPS nameplate kW rating for 30 continuous minutes and at
not less than 75 percent of the EPS nameplate kW rating for 1 continuous hour for a total test duration of not less
than 1.5 continuous hours.

Internal Use Only - For business use only by employees and authorized non-Cummins entities with a need to know basis per CORP-00-24-00-00.

Revision 04, 13 June 2018 Page 2 of 5 © Copyright 2018 Cummins Inc.

G-Drive Engine Exercising and Low Load Operation CEB 00159

Table 1. Recommended Minimum Exhaust Stack Temperatures

Exhaust Stack Temperatures

Engine Family Calibrated Thermocouple Infrared Instrument
A Series 450 ºF 338 ºF
B3.3 550 ºF 415 ºF
B Series 550 ºF 415 ºF
QSB5 550 ºF 415 ºF
QSB7 600 ºF 450 ºF
C Series 600 ºF 450 ºF
QSL9 600 ºF 450 ºF
LTA10 650 ºF 500 ºF
M11 650 ºF 500 ºF
QSG12 650 ºF 500 ºF
NT(A)855 650 ºF 500 ºF
N14 650 ºF 500 ºF
QSX15 700 ºF 525 ºF
KTA19 650 ºF 500 ºF
QSK23 650 ºF 500 ºF
VTA28 650 ºF 500 ºF
QST30 650 ºF 500 ºF
KTA38 650 ºF 500 ºF
QSK45 700 ºF 525 ºF
KTA50 700 ºF 525 ºF
QSK50 700 ºF 525 ºF
QSK60 700 ºF 525 ºF
QSK78 700 ºF 525 ºF
QSK95 550 ºF

Exhaust Gas Temperature Measuring Guidelines

For an accurate measurement of the exhaust gas temperature, Cummins recommends mounting a thermocouple
in the exhaust outlet elbow. The thermocouple should be “K” type (chromium/aluminum) to handle the
temperature range. A suitable alloy wiring should be used while minimizing the number of connections to increase
accuracy. Also, the thermocouple should be permanently installed in the exhaust outlet elbows, see Figure 1.
The insertion depth of the thermocouple should position the tip in the center of the exhaust stream.

QSK95 production engines have ECM exhaust stack temperature sensors that are broadcast on the genset
controller (PCC3300). QSK95 exhaust stack temperatures can be viewed on the genset controller (PCC3300)
HMI display and/or with the InPower or Engineering Tool software. The QSK95 does not require a thermocouple
mounted at the exhaust outlet elbow. 

Recent testing at our facility has shown temperature measurements with hand-held infrared instruments to be off
by as much as 25% when compared with test cell grade calibrated thermocouples. There are many variables
involved with taking an accurate reading with a hand-held infrared instrument.

Internal Use Only - For business use only by employees and authorized non-Cummins entities with a need to know basis per CORP-00-24-00-00.

Revision 04, 13 June 2018 Page 3 of 5 © Copyright 2018 Cummins Inc.

G-Drive Engine Exercising and Low Load Operation CEB 00159

The following factors can affect the measurement.

- Infrared instruments only measure surface temperatures, not actual gas temperatures.
- Stack insulation may prevent a surface temperature reading.
- Infrared instrument readings may differ with the surface finish of the exhaust stack.
- The distance between the infrared instrument and the exhaust stack will affect the reading.

Figure 1
Typical thermocouple mounting location

Cool Down Period

Cummins recommends that G-Drive engines be operated “off-load” for 5 to 10 minutes, after the engine has been
either exercised “loaded” or operated under normal application guidelines.

This duration of time is recommended to allow the engine temperatures (lube oil, turbo, etc.) to cool sufficiently.
“Hot shutdowns” can cause permanent damage to the engine, genset, or associated electrical equipment and
should be avoided. If the engine experiences an inadvertent (i.e. operator error or known quickly correctable
cause) hot shutdown, attempt to restart engine immediately. If the shutdown is due to an alarm/safety switch
condition, do not attempt a restart until the cause is determined and properly corrected. Do not attempt a restart
sooner than 15 minutes after an alarm/safety switch condition shutdown unless operating in a critical emergency.

Internal Use Only - For business use only by employees and authorized non-Cummins entities with a need to know basis per CORP-00-24-00-00.

Revision 04, 13 June 2018 Page 4 of 5 © Copyright 2018 Cummins Inc.

G-Drive Engine Exercising and Low Load Operation CEB 00159

Change Log
Revision Date Author Description Page(s)
04 13Jun18 Jennifer Changed Owner to Jennifer Young from Kadar Sepal. 1
Young Changed “AEB 10.17” to “CEB00159”. 1
Added QSG12 and QSK95 engine families to Table 1: 3
Recommended Minimum Exhaust Stack Temperatures.
Added paragraph “QSK95 production engines have ECM 3
exhaust stack temperature sensors that are broadcast on
the genset controller (PCC3300). QSK95 exhaust stack
temperatures can be viewed on the genset controller
(PCC3300) HMI display and/or with the InPower or
Engineering Tool software. The QSK95 does not require a
thermocouple mounted at the exhaust outlet elbow.“
03 15Dec15 Liz McLean Initial creation of CEB from AEB 10.17. All
02 12October12 O. Jinadu Updated “Cummins Exercising Recommendations and 2-3
Requirements”.
01 30May12 O. Jinadu Updated AEB to most recent format. All
Updated AEB title. 1
Updated “Operating the Engine at Low Load”, “Cummins 2-3
Exercising Recommendations and Requirements”, and
“NFPA 110 Standards” sections.
00 30May07 D. Bugert Added A Series, B3.3, QSB5, QSB7, QSL9, QSX15 and 3
QSK50 engine families to Table 1, Recommended
Minimum Exhaust Stack Temperatures

Internal Use Only - For business use only by employees and authorized non-Cummins entities with a need to know basis per CORP-00-24-00-00.

Revision 04, 13 June 2018 Page 5 of 5 © Copyright 2018 Cummins Inc.