rabiacaymaz94
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Hello,
The most common deficiency I see in the field: generator periodic inspection only covers the electrical side. Panel connections are measured, earth resistance is taken, and the report is closed. However, a generator has a combustion engine, a fuel system, and an exhaust line, and all of them pose a risk in operation.
I have compiled the scope of the inspection and what should be written in the report for colleagues working in maintenance and electrical departments.
📋 Legal basis and periodicity
In Annex-III of the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment, the generator line states: 1 year if no period is specified in the standards, the criterion is TS ISO 8528 series. If the manufacturer's instructions or risk assessment require a shorter period, the shorter one is applied; which source takes precedence in which situation is explained in the period determination guide. For the intervals of other equipment: Annex-III period table
🔧 Inspection must cover all three areas
The acceptable resistance limit for earthing measurement on the electrical side varies according to the type of facility: limit values in earthing measurement. If the calibration of the device used for measurement is not valid, the measured value will not be traceable: earthing measurement device calibration
⚠️ Is a generator that is not operated under load considered inspected?
No, it is not. A generator running idle shows that the starting system and engine are working; but it does not show:
⏱️ Automatic start-up time: the only measurable performance indicator
When the grid goes out, the time it takes for the generator to start up is measured and written in the report as a number. Simply marking "suitable" is not enough, because the criterion for suitability varies according to the needs of the facility: the acceptable time in a facility requiring uninterrupted power is much lower than that in a warehouse.
⛽ Is the fuel tank a separate inspection item?
It can be. The daily fuel tank is usually considered part of the equipment. If there is a separate underground or above-ground fuel tank at the facility, that tank is subject to periodic inspection on its own: above-ground fuel tank periodic inspection. The generator report does not cover the tank's leak-tightness.
📝 Maintenance record does not substitute for periodic inspection
The generator's monthly operation record is a maintenance activity; it does not replace the periodic inspection report. The difference between the two: difference between maintenance form and periodic inspection form
✅ What should be written in the report
In addition to the minimum information that must be included in every periodic inspection report, three generator-specific pieces of information:
Detailed version of the topic: generator periodic inspection: scope, period and report
What situation do you encounter in the field? In facilities that do not allow load testing, what approach do you take: load bank, planned outage, or a note in the report?
The most common deficiency I see in the field: generator periodic inspection only covers the electrical side. Panel connections are measured, earth resistance is taken, and the report is closed. However, a generator has a combustion engine, a fuel system, and an exhaust line, and all of them pose a risk in operation.
I have compiled the scope of the inspection and what should be written in the report for colleagues working in maintenance and electrical departments.
📋 Legal basis and periodicity
In Annex-III of the Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment, the generator line states: 1 year if no period is specified in the standards, the criterion is TS ISO 8528 series. If the manufacturer's instructions or risk assessment require a shorter period, the shorter one is applied; which source takes precedence in which situation is explained in the period determination guide. For the intervals of other equipment: Annex-III period table
🔧 Inspection must cover all three areas
| Area | Inspected |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Earth continuity and resistance, panel connection tightness, protective devices, cable insulation, labeling |
| Mechanical | Engine leaks, belt tension, cooling system, vibration mounts, exhaust line integrity |
| Operational | Automatic start-up time, operation under load, battery status, fuel level and tank integrity |
The acceptable resistance limit for earthing measurement on the electrical side varies according to the type of facility: limit values in earthing measurement. If the calibration of the device used for measurement is not valid, the measured value will not be traceable: earthing measurement device calibration
⚠️ Is a generator that is not operated under load considered inspected?
No, it is not. A generator running idle shows that the starting system and engine are working; but it does not show:
- The start-up time
- Voltage and frequency stability under load
- The behavior of the cooling system under actual load
⏱️ Automatic start-up time: the only measurable performance indicator
When the grid goes out, the time it takes for the generator to start up is measured and written in the report as a number. Simply marking "suitable" is not enough, because the criterion for suitability varies according to the needs of the facility: the acceptable time in a facility requiring uninterrupted power is much lower than that in a warehouse.
⛽ Is the fuel tank a separate inspection item?
It can be. The daily fuel tank is usually considered part of the equipment. If there is a separate underground or above-ground fuel tank at the facility, that tank is subject to periodic inspection on its own: above-ground fuel tank periodic inspection. The generator report does not cover the tank's leak-tightness.
📝 Maintenance record does not substitute for periodic inspection
The generator's monthly operation record is a maintenance activity; it does not replace the periodic inspection report. The difference between the two: difference between maintenance form and periodic inspection form
✅ What should be written in the report
In addition to the minimum information that must be included in every periodic inspection report, three generator-specific pieces of information:
- Engine and alternator information (make, model, power)
- Measured start-up time
- Whether a load test was performed (and the justification if not)
Detailed version of the topic: generator periodic inspection: scope, period and report
What situation do you encounter in the field? In facilities that do not allow load testing, what approach do you take: load bank, planned outage, or a note in the report?
