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Power When it Counts

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Hi. This is Chris Matt, Associate Editor of Maintenance Solutions magazine. Today’s tip, testing emergency power systems.

Facility managers should ensure that design engineers for construction-and-renovation projects understand the periodic testing requirements of emergency power systems, and that they factor those activities into new-project designs.

One example includes using uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for building automation systems, so periodic load transfers do not cause a system to reset.

Managers should also arrange to commission new emergency power systems and major system modifications. Assuring the systems are constructed in full accordance with the design intent also will reduce test-related problems.

A proactive testing program for emergency power involves knowing the load profile of the emergency power system. Although monthly load tests are functional tests of emergency power generation and distribution equipment, they also represent the best time to monitor and consider more than just the engine parameters and the generator-set loading.