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Inventory Categories Generator Control Panel - What it is and How it’s Used
Controlling our machines
Used Generators Any complex piece of machinery requires a user interface to enable the user to monitor its operations, check for e]cient functioning, and
New Generators intervene when required. Machines overheat, slow down, speed up or generally vary in their performance based on numerous factors such
as fatigue, weather conditions, and the wear and tear of components and parts.
Diesel Generators
Natural Gas Gensets In electrical machines, like generators, these varying changes constitute an electrical signal. Additional information about generators and
their components can also be found in the article, How Generators Work. These signals can be intelligently processed to control the
Portable Generators
performance of the machine. A lot of machines in urban environments (such as signal lights and automatic doors) are completely self-
Residential Generators managed due to such controllers. They have sensors that can detect changes in physical attributes like heat and speed and generate
signals accordingly. Modern generators also have similar sensors to detect changes in all kinds of various parameters. These can be used
to control the generator through a control panel.

Generator Search The Control Panel – what is it?

Visually, a control panel is a set of displays that indicate the measurement
of various parameters like voltage, current and frequency, through gauges
Manufacturer and meters. These meters and gauges are set in a metallic body, usually
corrosion proof, to protect from the effect of rain or snow. The panel may
be set up on the body of the generator itself, which is usually the case with
Capacity small generators. If they are mounted on the generator, they typically have
vibration proof pads that help isolate the control panel from shocks. Control
panels for a larger industrial generator can be completely separate from the
Fuel
generator and are typically large enough to stand upon their own. These
units may also be shelf-mounted or wall-mounted next to the generator,
SEARCH which is common inside an enclosure or internal applications like a data
center.

Control panels are usually atted with buttons or switches that help to operate the generator such as a switch-off button or turn-on key. The
switches and gauges are usually grouped on the basis of functionality. This makes the panel friendly and safe for use since it minimizes
We Buy Used & Surplus the possibility of an operator accidentally selecting or executing the wrong control. Imagine trying to shut down a vibrating generator with a
spring loaded lever in the middle of the night and you will appreciate why having a simple cut of switch at the control panel makes sense.
Generators!
How does it work?
The control panel is becoming an increasingly complex piece of electronics with a microprocessor that can manipulate input from sensors
Get $$$ for your used power
to help give feedback to the machine to manage itself. One such feedback could be the temperature, indicating overheating, other
generation equipment examples would be over/under speed and low/high oil pressure. Typically, a heat sensor inside the generator would sense the buildup of
heat in the generator body and pass this to the microprocessor in the control panel. The microprocessor will then take effective measures
to regulate the performance of the machine including shutdowns if, for example, the oil pressure is too low or the coolant temperature is
Get info here " too high, leading to buildup of heat. In industrial situations, this functionality of control panels is becoming increasingly critical. The
microprocessor or microcontroller is embedded in the circuitry inside the control panel and is programmed to take in the sensor input and
react to that with the programmed control rules.

Control panels can be combined with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) to maintain the continuity of electrical power. The ATS detects
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR an outage of power when your local grid fails. It signals the control panel to start the generator. Depending on the type of generator being
NEWSLETTER used, the control panel may activate glow plugs (for diesel) for an adjustable length of time. It will then start the generator using an
automatic starter, similar to the one you engage when you turn the keys in the ignition of your car in the morning. As soon as the engine of
the generator reaches an optimum speed, the starter is disengaged. The ATS then switches to the generator power, and you can go back to
Email Address Sign Up business as usual, without having to frantically scramble to agure out what caused power loss. This aspect of a control panel makes it
extremely useful in homes during bad weather and in industrial situations for ensuring mission-critical continuity.

Top Manufacturers " Custom Control Panels

Control panel units are usually designed and produced by the
manufacturer of your generator. Most generators have integrated
Caterpillar control panels that are embedded with the product.
Cummins
Some of the common things today’s control panels offer include;
John Deere continuous digital readouts, large character LCD screens, displays with
MTU running time, oil pressure and water temperature sensors, set points
and custom message options, wiring harnesses, remote and local
Kohler
start/stop capabilities, and of course shut-down capabilities.
Generac
You may have special requirements above and beyond the common
SWP
feature set included with the standard units, such as gauges and
meters, very speciac parameters to be monitored, a preference for LCD
indicators as opposed to analog meters, automation requirements, and
Articles and Info " various other factors that are not typically provided by the generator
manufacturer’s original control panel. In such a case, you can have a control panel custom designed and then atted onto the generator, or
look into purchasing one that meets your needs from a number of third-party vendors who specialize in control panels. Custom panels are
Why Use Diesel? quite popular in both industrial and residential generators. In addition to choosing a control panel the following article contains additional
New vs. Used tips when buying a generator. So, the next time you are evaluating a generator for your use, don’t forget to check out all the speciacs on the
Sizing A Generator control panel and the features it offers to make certain it will meet all the requirements for your speciac needs.

Types and Uses

Tips on Buying Used
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