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Troubleshooting Tips
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battery charger breaker turned off and not more than 40 days as required by the Joint
low fluid levels or fluid leaks Commission.
exhaust system failure due to wet stacking, or Visually examine fuel samples.
running generators under low load that causes the Check coolant concentration.
accumulation of carbon particles, unburned fuel, oil Visually examine belt tension.
and condensed water in the exhaust system
Check air filters and battery chargers.
insufficient reserve of fuel or deteriorating fuel quality
Drain fuel filter and drain water from fuel tank. Fix if
operational failure of ventilation louvers this is a recurring issue.
The first step to having a reliable power system is proper Check connections for corrosion.
factory testing of the equipment, followed by acceptance Quarterly
testing and commissioning of the complete system on site.
Once installed, it is then critical that managers develop a Visually inspect for loose connections, burned
comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) program and insulation and signs of wear.
that technicians follow it. Managers can use the following Visually inspect fuses for discoloration caused by heat
criteria to develop the program: from poor contact or corrosion.
manufacturer recommendations For hospitals, perform tests of stored emergency-
ANSI/NETA MTS-2011, Standard for Maintenance power-supply systems.
Testing Specifications for Electrical Power Equipment Semiannually
and Systems
Clean crankcase breathers.
NFPA 70B, Recommended Practice for Electrical
Check radiator hoses.
Equipment Maintenance
Visually check for liquid contamination from batteries
NFPA 110, Emergency and Standby Power Systems
and capacitors.
Other codes and standards as applicable to facility
Clean equipment enclosure.
type, such as NFPA 75, Protection of Information
Technology Equipment, and NFPA 99, Health Care Inspect environment HVAC equipment and
Facilities performance to check temperature and humidity.
other codes and standards as required by local and Conduct thermal scans of electrical connections to
industry authorities having jurisdiction ensure all are tight and not generating heat, which is
the first and sometimes only indication of a problem.
These references give managers detailed recommended Using this non-evasive diagnostic tool helps identify
and required PM tasks that are too numerous to list. Also, hot spots not visible to the human eye. Re-torque if the
maintenance and testing requirements vary depending on thermal scan provides evidence of a loose connection.
facility type and the critical nature of the supported loads.
Test entire transfer switching sequence.
PM Program Components Exercise main and feeder circuit breakers over 600 volts
(V).
A typical PM program for standby power systems and
equipment can include the following steps: Annually
Weekly Provide a complete operational test of the system,
including a monitored battery rundown test to
Check the coolant heater, coolant level, oil level, and determine if battery strings or cells are nearing the
charge-air piping. ends of their useful lives.
Visually inspect exterior of equipment for obvious Flush and refill the cooling system.
damage or leaks.
Change the oil and filter, as well as the coolant filter
Check gauges and instruments.
Change the air and fuel filters.
Monthly Inspect the main and feeder circuit breakers less
Load test generators and transfer switch operation. than or equal to 600V, and periodically exercise the
For hospitals, the testing frequency must be 12 times components per manufacturer recommendations and
per year with intervals of not less than 20 days test them under simulated overload trip conditions.
2
Test the UPS transfer switch, circuit breakers and equipment
maintenance bypasses. Providing adequate battery-powered illumination of
Biannually critical-equipment locations
Test the main and feeder circuit breakers greater than Posting the PM schedule with automated PM
600V under load conditions. reminders. Technicians should not delay PM efforts
just because it is difficult to arrange an outage.
Every three years
Providing simulations of various potential emergencies
Run a four-hour generator load test. to determine effective responses, identify points of
failure, and train technicians
As needed
Storing necessary spare parts on site
Test components suspected of being defective or that
have been subjected to unusual adverse conditions. Storing system record drawings at a readily accessible
location.
Only qualified personnel who have been adequately
trained and adhere to requirements of the NFPA 70E, Storing equipment and system operation and
Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and other applicable maintenance manuals at a readily accessible location.
safety requirements should perform PM work. Documenting and organizing all testing and
maintenance events
Consider Emergency Response Factors in
Backup Power Systems Issues Finally, it is imperative that technicians perform regular
system testing and maintenance in order for managers to
In addition to a PM program for backup power sleep well at night and be confident their power systems
systems, managers also should consider additional have the highest probability of operating when needed.
recommendations designed to maximize system reliability
and emergency-response efforts.