I. Core Components of a Generator Set: 4 Key Systems

1. Power System

• The "power source" of the generator set: Converts chemical energy into mechanical energy by burning fuel (diesel, gasoline, natural gas, etc.) to drive the generator to rotate.

2. Power Generation System

• The core of energy conversion: Receives mechanical energy transmitted by the engine and converts mechanical energy into alternating current (a few are direct current) through the principle of electromagnetic induction (cutting magnetic field lines).

3. Control System

• The "brain" of the generator set: Responsible for start / stop control, speed adjustment (to ensure voltage stability), fault protection (such as overload, short circuit, low oil level alarm), and display of operating parameters (voltage, current, frequency, etc.).

4. Auxiliary System

• Ensures stable operation: The heat dissipation system prevents the engine from overheating, the lubrication system reduces component wear, and the exhaust system discharges combustion exhaust gas (some are equipped with mufflers to reduce noise).

II. Main Classifications of Generator Sets: Divided by Core Dimensions

1. Classification by Fuel Type (Most Common)

• Diesel generator sets: The most widely used. The fuel (diesel) is easy to store, with low fuel consumption and low failure rate. Suitable for long-term power supply (such as factory backup power, field construction), with a wide power range (from several kilowatts to tens of thousands of kilowatts).

• Gasoline generator sets: Small in size, light in weight, and easy to start. Suitable for short-term emergency power supply (such as household emergency, small equipment power supply), but with high fuel consumption and low safety (gasoline is volatile), and the power is usually below 10 kilowatts.

• Gas generator sets: Use natural gas, liquefied gas, biogas as fuel. Good environmental protection (low emissions) and low operating noise. Suitable for scenarios with stable gas supply (such as hotel backup power, biogas power generation in breeding farms), but have high requirements for gas purity and weak low-temperature starting performance.

• Other fuel units: Such as heavy oil generator sets (suitable for large ships, power plants), biomass fuel units (environmentally friendly, dependent on biomass resources).

2. Classification by Application Scenario

• Emergency generator sets: Used for temporary power supply when the grid is interrupted. The core requirements are "fast start-up" (usually starting within 30 seconds) and high reliability. Common in hospitals (to ensure power supply for operating rooms and ICUs), data centers (to prevent server shutdown), and high-rise buildings (to ensure power supply for elevators and fire protection systems).

• Commonly used generator sets: Used in scenarios not covered by the grid, requiring long-term continuous operation. Such as field exploration, mining, power supply for villages in remote areas. They have high requirements for the durability and heat dissipation performance of the unit.

• Standby generator sets: Only used occasionally when the grid fails, and are in standby state at ordinary times. Such as ordinary factories, shopping malls, and residential areas. They have high requirements for starting reliability and need regular maintenance to avoid failure to start during shutdown.

3. Classification by Power Capacity

• Small units: Power ＜ 10 kW, mostly used in households and small equipment (such as camping power supply, emergency lighting), mainly gasoline units.

• Medium-sized units: Power 10-100 kW, suitable for small and medium-sized factories, hotels, and supermarkets, mostly diesel or gas units.

• Large units: Power ＞ 100 kW, used in large factories, power plants (as backup power), and ship power. Mainly diesel or heavy oil units, some are gas turbine generator sets (power up to tens of thousands of kilowatts).

III. Core Performance Indicators of Generator Sets

• Rated power (kW): The maximum effective power that the unit can output during long-term stable operation. It is the core basis for selecting the unit (should be selected according to the total power of electrical equipment, usually 10%-20% margin is reserved to avoid overload).

• Rated voltage (V): The standard value of output voltage (such as 220V single-phase, 380V three-phase). It needs to match the voltage of electrical equipment (220V for civil use, 380V for industrial equipment).

• Rated frequency (Hz): The frequency of output alternating current (the standard in China is 50Hz, and 60Hz in some countries). Unstable frequency will cause damage to equipment such as motors and water pumps, so the engine speed needs to be accurately adjusted through the control system (for example, the speed of diesel generators is usually 1500 rpm, corresponding to 50Hz).

• Start-up time: The time from the issuance of the start-up command to the unit reaching the rated voltage and frequency. Emergency units require ≤ 30 seconds, while commonly used units have lower requirements for start-up time.

• Fuel consumption rate (g/kW・h): The mass of fuel consumed per 1 kilowatt-hour of electrical energy output. It is a key indicator to measure the economy of the unit (the fuel consumption rate of diesel units is usually lower than that of gasoline units).

• Noise level (dB): The noise level during operation. For noise-sensitive scenarios such as hospitals and residential areas, low-noise units should be selected (usually equipped with sound insulation covers, and the noise can be controlled below 70dB).

IV. Typical Application Scenarios of Generator Sets

• Emergency support: Hospitals, data centers, banks, transportation hubs (airports, railway stations) to prevent key businesses from being paralyzed due to grid interruption.

• Field operations: Oil exploration, mining, construction, geological surveys to provide power for equipment (drilling rigs, cranes, communication equipment).

• Remote areas: Rural areas, mountainous areas, islands and other areas not covered by the grid, used as conventional power supply equipment (such as hybrid power systems of photovoltaic + diesel units).

• Special industries: Ships (as power and on-board power supply), military equipment (field camp power supply, radar systems), large-scale events (temporary stage, lighting and sound power supply).

V. Difference from "Generator"

• Generator: Refers only to a single device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It cannot work independently (needs external mechanical energy, such as connecting to diesel engines, water turbines, steam turbines, etc.).

• Generator set: Is a complete system of "power source + generator + control system". It can independently realize the whole process from energy input to electrical energy output without the cooperation of additional equipment.