An application assessment starts with the process that needs power. Explain the consequence of interruption, the acceptable restoration time and the duration of supply required. Identify whether the system is intended for standby, regular running or a defined temporary duty. These requirements help establish what the proposed power arrangement must accomplish and where further information is needed.
Build the electrical picture
Provide a load inventory, available measurements and information about motors, UPS systems, drives or other significant loads. Include operating simultaneity and the expected order of restoration after an outage. Site altitude, temperature, ventilation, access and connection constraints also belong in the brief. Where values are estimated, mark them as estimates rather than presenting them as measured demand.
Assess the operation
- what must remain powered
- consequence of outage
- operating schedule
- standby or prime duty
- future growth
- required continuity
Assess the system
- generator
- ATS/AMF
- synchronisation
- switchgear
- distribution
- fuel
- environment
Output
Good generator service begins by ensuring the equipment is appropriate for the job it has been given.
Separate duty from headline capacity
Manufacturer literature distinguishes standby, prime and other operating duties. Record the expected hours, load pattern and site conditions before comparing candidate equipment; a similar kVA label can describe a different permitted operating duty.
Use the assessment to narrow the options
The useful outcome is a clear statement of the requirement, the constraints and the information needed to evaluate candidate solutions. A generator size may be one part of that outcome, alongside distribution, transfer, controls or further studies. Equipment selection remains subject to the actual manufacturer data and project review. Share existing documents even when they are incomplete, with their limitations identified.
Request Generator Service
Request Generator Service. Share the application, location and information available so the next discussion can address your actual requirement.
Related guidance
Engineering intent
Application Assessment should be evaluated as part of the complete power system rather than as an isolated catalogue item. Operating duty, connected load, interfaces, protection, controls, installation conditions, testing requirements and lifecycle consequences determine whether the arrangement is appropriate.
Engineering considerations
The Power Engineering Centre connects load assessment, criticality, kW and kVA, power factor, motor starting, transient response, voltage and distribution. It also covers transfer controls, synchronising where required, protection, cables, earthing, fuel autonomy, site conditions, commissioning and lifecycle management. Begin with the function the electrical system must perform, then use the relevant guides to define the required inputs and verification.
Selection and design considerations
generator sizing must account not only for loads expected to run together, but also how those loads are applied, removed, started and restored. GENERATOR SIZING IS NOT A kW → kVA CONVERSION. IT IS THE ENGINEERING OF HOW A POWER SOURCE RESPONDS TO A REAL LOAD. LOAD INVENTORY → CRITICAL-LOAD DEFINITION → RUNNING kW + kVA → POWER FACTOR → LOAD SEQUENCE → LARGEST TRANSIENT → MOTOR STARTING → UPS / NONLINEAR LOADS → VOLTAGE & FREQUENCY RESPONSE → SITE DERATING → OPERATING DUTY → FUTURE CAPACITY → ENGINE + ALTERNATOR VERIFICATION → APPLICATION-SPECIFIC GENERATOR SELECTION The correct generator is not simply the one whose nameplate exceeds the running load. It is the generator package that can support the required load profile, transients, duty and site conditions within verified equipment limits.
Integration and protection considerations
Do not derate a standby headline rating and then use it casually as prime capability. The derating table must correspond to the actual configuration. This page now also connects naturally to the newly approved: If a legacy DG is being evaluated for: the study should not assume that the retrofit has no interaction with site performance. Engineering assessment, sourcing, integration and installation support are subject to equipment compatibility, certified-product availability, manufacturer requirements, site conditions and applicable regulations. At a high-altitude installation, the engineering assessment should therefore consider actual: Similarly, future dual-fuel feasibility studies must verify performance under the actual: an appropriately engineered BESS may potentially support part of the power architecture.
Testing, commissioning and verification
Runtime must be calculated from actual load, usable fuel, fuel quality, tank arrangement, refuelling access and operating procedure — not nominal tank capacity alone. Consultation should convert one-time installation into lifecycle readiness. A consultation should not end with quotation alone. It should define how reliability will be sustained.
| New facility | Load assessment + generator sizing + installation planning |
|---|---|
| Generator trips on load | Diagnostics + load measurement + protection review |
| Utility outage risk | Standby generator + ATS/AMF + fuel planning |
| Long outage risk | Fuel autonomy + runtime planning + service agreement |
| Temporary project | Rental power + temporary distribution + fuel logistics |
| High fuel cost | Load profile + L/kWh + sequencing review |
Suitable when the need is permanent, predictable and strategic.
Direct answer
An application assessment starts with the process that needs power. Explain the consequence of interruption, the acceptable restoration time and the duration of supply required.
The practical decision for Application Assessment should be based on verified load, equipment, interface and site information. Where equipment-specific data, regulatory applicability or a project study is required, this guidance does not replace that verification.