So, the supplier has been selected, the contract has been signed, and the diesel power plant will be on site shortly. All that remains is to choose the location where the diesel generator will be installed. In many cases it is precisely this factor that leads to serious mistakes, and those mistakes can have irreversible consequences.
To account for every important factor, the location of the diesel generator should be chosen before it is purchased, and selecting that location correctly requires taking the following factors into account:
Sufficient ventilation: an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening
Protection from natural factors such as rain, snow, flooding, direct sunlight, frost and excessive heat
Protection from the types of contamination carried by moving air, for example: abrasive or other dust, smoke, oil mist, engine exhaust and so on.
Protection from falling tree branches and parts dropping from poles, and protection from forklifts and vehicles.
The clearance around the diesel generator, for cooling and servicing the unit, must be at least 1 metre, and 2 metres above it.
Enough floor area for the unit to be moved into the room.
The generator enclosure should preferably be of the removable type, to provide sufficient ventilation for the unit and better access during installation.
Access by unauthorised personnel – best restricted.
The diesel generator is mounted on a rigid base frame that keeps the alternator and the engine precisely aligned, so it is enough to place the frame on a properly prepared surface and then secure it with bolts.
A reinforced concrete pad is the best foundation for a generator. It provides a rigid support that prevents deformation and the transmission of vibration. The foundation should generally be 150 to 200 mm thick, and its width and length should exceed the corresponding dimensions of the unit by at least 150 mm. If the floor is wet at certain times (for example in a boiler room), the foundation pad must be raised above floor level.
If the diesel power plant is to be located outside the building, it must be installed under a canopy that protects it from precipitation, or in a container-type enclosure.
Transport and installation become considerably easier if the diesel generator is supplied with an enclosure. Two types of enclosure are used in practice: the first is the “hood” (known as a Canopy), which protects the unit from precipitation and also acts as a sound attenuator. The second type is the “container”, similar to a shipping container, which likewise protects the unit from precipitation and protects the surroundings from the noise generated, while providing additional space for servicing or simply for housing more components.
Both options make the unit a self-contained system that is easy to transport and requires minimal effort during positioning and installation. In addition, enclosures of this type protect the generator from the weather and from unauthorised access.
Enclosed diesel generators are installed in the open air. If an enclosed unit is installed inside a building, that part of the building must be supplied with a sufficient inflow of cool air, and the warm air given off by the unit must be discharged outside the building. Air ducts and exhaust pipes must be designed so as to minimise the difference between high and low pressures, which otherwise has a negative effect on the operating efficiency of the unit.
When choosing the site for a containerised diesel power plant, it is essential to take into account that: the diesel unit inside the container must be installed on a level surface to ensure precise alignment. The container can be placed either on a concrete foundation or on a natural horizontal surface. The foundation must withstand the weight of the module and the possible vibration while the engine is running.
These are some of the recommendations to take into account when choosing the installation site, and all of this determines how reliably and continuously the diesel generator will supply electricity. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is always ready to help, whether with advice, consultation, sharing experience, or bringing in professional technicians and engineers to solve your tasks.