Key Elements for Specifying an Engine Exhaust System

Whether you are designing a central energy plant for a hospital, or a smaller generator for a commercial facility, be sure to dedicate some time to your engine exhaust system specifications. Federal regulations are becoming stricter each day. And, at the local level, noise and air quality are becoming more and more important to permitting … Read more

Transfer Switch Withstand Ratings: 3-cycle or 30-cycle?

How and when to apply “3-cycle rated” vs. “30-cycle rated” transfer switches should be a rather important consideration for a design engineer.  A coordination study is a critical element that must go hand-in-hand with the design and specification of a safe and reliable emergency power system. Some basic definitions Interrupting ratings  – the highest current at rated voltage that a device is intended … Read more

Why You Should NOT Rely Solely on Engine Silencer Attenuation Grades.

For as long as I can remember, engine exhaust silencer manufacturers have used attenuation “grades” to describe the expected performance of their products. “Critical”, “hospital”, and “residential” are some of the common grades used today. As an attempt to differentiate themselves from one another, silencer manufacturers have come up with new grades such as “super critical”, “super hospital” and even “extreme”! … Read more

Top 12 Surefire Ways to Improve Your Fuel System Design

Fuel delivery and fuel quality are quickly becoming two of the most discussed issues among critical facility operators. This article will focus on fuel delivery, and one of its main components: the fuel day tank. The day tank is the most immediate source of fuel to the engine, and its design can be responsible for … Read more