How Often Should Your Industrial Generator Be Inspected?

Electricity is vital for the daily operation of any business. Power outages can cause delays in manufacturing or your ability to serve your customers, costing your business money. An industrial generator is essential to ensure uninterrupted operation even during an outage. An inspection is an easy way to ensure your generator will work when needed, but how often should you inspect it? The Walker Electric team shares everything you need to know about industrial generator inspections.

Why Inspections Matter

Prevention is often the best medicine. There are several benefits to having your industrial generator inspected:

• Early detection of problems, like low coolant or leaks. It’s easier and more cost-effective to fix issues while they are still minor.
• Regularly checking your generator’s condition ensures it always has the proper fuel and oil level, improving its overall performance.
• Keeping an eye on your generator’s condition can help to increase its lifespan.

When to Inspect Your Generator

Whether it’s time for an in-depth inspection or a quick visual evaluation, there are certain times when you should always perform an inspection.

• Owner’s Manual: Every generator has a manual instructing you on how often to perform in-depth inspections and when to replace specific components.
• Before Use: Always visually inspect your generator before using it, especially if you haven’t run it recently. You should also ensure you have enough fuel to operate your generator.
• Monthly: Adding an in-depth inspection to your monthly maintenance checklist is recommended if you run your generator regularly. This is also an excellent time to check the alignment of the unit, internal, and auxiliary components.
• Annually: Some businesses use their generator so frequently that monthly inspections are only sometimes possible. In these cases, scheduling a full-scale inspection once a year that checks every component and device in the generator is essential. This includes the air filter, oil reservoir, exhaust, and wiring. An annual inspection is perfect for checking your generator’s performance using load tests and vibrational analysis.
• Performance Issues: If you notice a slight decline in your generator’s performance, you should schedule an inspection. Indicators of reduced performance include increased power usage, overheating, and more vibration than usual.

What to Expect During a Service Appointment

Every generator is different, and your make and model will determine some of what is necessary during servicing. Regardless of your generator, certain things will happen at every service appointment, including:

• Checking fluid levels
• Cleaning away any debris, like leaves or branches, that can affect performance
• Testing startup batteries and cleaning them to prevent corrosion
• Changing air and oil filters

Contact Us

Walker Electric has been providing reliable industrial service work since 1976. We also offer electrical design-build, installation, and 24/7 emergency services. Walker Electric is located in Lexington, KY, proudly serving Fayette County, Lexington, Frankfort, Richmond, Georgetown, and surrounding counties. Contact us today to schedule your industrial service appointment.