What Are The Adverse Effects Of Prolonged Overload Or Underload On a Diesel Generator Set?

What happens if a diesel generator set is overloaded for an extended period?

The generator can maintain operation at overload power for up to one hour. However, if overloaded beyond the rated power for an excessively long time, the following issues may occur:  

1. Overheating of the cooling system, leading to excessively high water temperature.  

2. Overheating of the generator windings, damaging the motor's lifespan.  

3. Breakdown of lubricating oil viscosity, resulting in low oil pressure, reduced engine lifespan, and in severe cases, premature wear or cylinder scoring.  

4. The above situations may also occur if the generator efficiency is too low or if it is improperly oversized.

What happens if the generator set operates under low load for a long time? 

If the generator runs under low load for an extended period, the water temperature may not rise to the normal operating range, causing increased engine oil viscosity and greater friction. This can lead to poor sealing of the piston rings, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber and resulting in incomplete combustion. Potential consequences include:  

1. Blue smoke from the exhaust (indicating oil burning).  

2. Black smoke from the exhaust (indicating poor combustion).  

3. Discharge of a mixture of engine oil and diesel from the exhaust pipe.