Overloaded Generator

The importance of generators cannot be overemphasized. Generators, especially BISON petrol generators, are an integral part of your wholesale business continuity plan.

When a blackout, severe weather or any other unprecedented event knocks out your power - whenever the regular grid goes down, generators step in to restore power. So when your generators are overloaded, your business could be at risk; both financially and operationally. You need to be able to spot the signs of an overloaded generator and have it inspected and could repaired immediately. In this article, we'll look at the main causes of generator overload problem, how to recognize it, and how to prevent and fix overloaded generator.

What is a generator overload?

All appliances have starting and running watts. Starting a device requires starting watts, and after starting it requires running watts to keep it running.

When the device initially starts up, it requires more power to keep the motor running. For example, a typical microwave requires 1700 watts to start, but only 600 watts to run. The excess power is then slowly dissipated and the device just needs to keep running.

And in the process, if the total power of all devices connected to BISON generator exceeds the maximum allowable value, then a circuit overload occurs.

What are the causes of generator overload?

Higher than the rated power of the generator

One of the most common ways a motor is often overloaded is by exceeding its power limit. Also mentioned earlier, generator overloading occurs when you run too much equipment at the same time and exceed the power capacity of BISON generator.

Some portable generators are overload protected with a circuit breaker, which acts like a light switch and automatically shuts off in the event of a short circuit or excessive current.

However, if you happen to own a generator that doesn't have overload protection, the consequences of overloading it can range from shutting down automatically to a complete fire - something very serious.

• Wiring short circuit

• Generator failure

What happens when a generator is overloaded?

Now that we know exactly what a generator overload is, we can identify a generator overload by looking at any one or more of the following signs.

• When the generator is overloaded, the circuit breaker trips.

• The generator will be turned off.

• The cooling fan of the generator may stop rotating or the sound is too loud. You will hear the generator hum, which indicates that the generator may be overloaded. If the overload continues (meaning your generator needs to shut down), the sound will sometimes get louder or change pitch.

• The vents on top of the generator may also be smoking and/or you may also see sparks or flames shooting from under its cover. This all points to a problem with your alternator being overworked.

• The generator may also become overheated.

• Intermittent power supply, power drop - When a generator is overloaded, there is a good chance that it will start to operate in an unstable manner, which means that it will output power intermittently. If the generator is powering the lights, you may notice that the intensity of the light varies, or even goes on and off, which is a clear sign that it is trying to support the load. This is very bad for devices as they are designed to run on a steady flow of power.

• Soot in the exhaust becomes noticeable.

Overloaded result

BISON generator are designed to be temporarily overloaded, but only for short periods of time. If the generator continues to run while overloaded, it may:

• Cause fire or even explosion: Prolonged overheating can cause the device to catch fire. If there is a fuel tank nearby or you notice sparks - there could be an explosion, check your alternator before it explodes.

• Damage to other equipment: As mentioned earlier - if your generator fails; other machines will also get power from it.

• Shortened generator life: When BISON generator runs beyond capacity or starts to heat up, it can burn out the alternator and other generator components, which means it shortens the life of the unit.

How to prevent generator overload?

There are several ways to prevent BISON generator overload. Let's discuss it.

• Never load BISON generator more than it can generate and then run it at maximum output.

• Avoid generator overload by using the generator's start/stop control to match generator load and demand, which will provide a more stable power supply.

• Use BISON generator with automatic voltage regulation (AVR), which automatically adjusts for dips or spikes in voltage. Generators without an AVR are at a higher risk of being damaged by overload than generators with this device.

• If you must run all your appliances at the same time and your generator is frequently overloaded, choose BISON generator with a higher capacity and higher capacity.

• If you experience generator overload, use a generator with a higher capacity and higher capacity. If your generator is beyond repair and is under warranty, contact generator manufacturer for professional advice on how to fix the electrical problem.

• Follow their instructions on how to properly use the generator and make sure all circuits are properly rated before connecting directly to the outlet box. Also never overtighten connections when adding power wires, as this could damage circuitry within the generator or cause heat buildup due to improper ventilation of components.

• If you replace fuses and circuit breakers, always use the same quality and rating as the ones you are replacing.

• When calculating how much power is required to run certain devices, check that they have running and starting wattages. Appliances such as stoves and refrigerators require more power to start (starting wattage) than they need to run (operating wattage). Make sure your generator has at least the starting wattage for each unit.

If your generator is overloaded and you can't stop it, it can explode and even damage appliances connected to it. With the above BISON precautions, you can prevent overload at any time and keep it in good condition. If your generator is overloaded beyond repair, contact your generator manufacturer for professional advice.

Why would a generator overload without anything plugged in?

Sometimes, the generator may indicate an overload light, or even shut off when nothing is plugged in. This usually happens after the generator has been running on no load for a period of time. It's not a common problem, but it can happen if you run your generator for extended periods of time without load.

In this case, you may need to reset the generator. To reset the generator, turn all power off, then back on. You should also use the overload reset button to reset the generator before restarting the generator. This time, once it's stabilized, plug in a load.

If the generator keeps shutting down or showing warning signs when it is unloaded, it may be faulty and needs to be repaired by a professional. Have an engineer, preferably an engineer from the generator manufacturer, fix it.

How to Fix an Overloaded Generator

Once the generator is found to be overloaded, follow the steps below to fix it:

1. First, disconnect all electrical equipment connected to the generator.

2. Secondly, before the circuit breaker is reset, judge whether the overload situation is caused by exceeding the rated load capacity of the equipment.

3. Then press and hold the rest button for at least one second to restart the generator.

4. If the overload warning disappears after restarting, please reconnect the electrical appliances and make sure not to exceed the output power of the generator during the process. If the overload warning light is still visible even after resetting, the generator needs to be repaired as it is probably not overloaded.

Sometimes, the problem isn't an overload, but the generator has a shortcut that turns on the warning light. In this case, the generator needs to be replaced.

Once you have your generator fixed and it has been running without warning for a few days, consider having the generator checked by an electrician.

This will help ensure that there is nothing wrong with the generator or any cables connecting it to other equipment in your home, which, if left unchecked, could cause another overload situation later.

In summary

When buying and using a portable generator, be sure to pay attention to its starting and running wattage. Once you have the number you want, add another 30% or so so you have some extra headroom. If you find that your generator can't handle the load, overloads easily, or gets hot, it's time to lighten it or buy a larger generator.

Frequent failures of generator overload shortens its life and can cause some components to fail. So make sure to keep an eye on everything so your generator doesn't fail when you need it most.