Generators

Create a generator or pair

Open Engineering > Generators and choose Add generator / pair. Choose an individual generator, synchronised parallel pair or duty/standby pair, then the output phases. Each machine has an editable common-size kVA dropdown and a Custom option. Enter its manufacturer kW rating separately; changing kVA retains the kW value and all source assignments.

• Use ratings appropriate to prime, continuous or standby duty. A rating label is not validation of permitted operating hours.
• Available capacity after derating is a percentage of both entered kVA and kW: 100% means no derating.
• An optional minimum kW loading percentage produces a low-loading warning; no universal manufacturer minimum is assumed.

Assign power sources

Use the assignment dropdown beside a manual power source to choose its generator or generator pair. There is no limit to source assignments. A source belongs to one group at a time; moving it preserves its rating and distro links. Automatic downstream sources are excluded to avoid counting the same demand twice.

• Choose the generator phase for each single-phase source assigned to a three-phase group.
• Three-phase sources map L1/L2/L3 directly. Assigning them to a single-phase group produces a configuration warning.
• Remove a source assignment without deleting the source, or remove the whole group using the in-app confirmation.

Interpret the forecasts

Demand comes from Load & Demand, including downstream distribution, diversity, power factor and manual loads. The tab displays connected kW, design kW, planning kVA, planning power factor, phase currents and headroom. Real-power-only mode is flagged because it ignores non-unity load power factor.

• Engine kW and alternator kVA/current constraints are assessed separately.
• The planning kVA is the arithmetic sum used by the planner, not a vector reactive-power calculation.
• Current imbalance is maximum deviation from mean phase current. It is not voltage unbalance or a manufacturer unbalance limit.
• Source ratings remain unchanged: a generator forecast does not reconfigure breakers, cable limits or source protection.

Parallel and duty/standby operation

Parallel pairs default to proportional sharing of design kW, planning kVA and each phase current based on available kVA. Override generator 1's percentage if required. Available capacity and headroom respect the selected split and the first machine limit reached. Actual kW/kVAr sharing and synchronising controls must be verified separately.

Duty/standby groups count only the selected duty generator as operating capacity. The standby carries zero planned operating demand and is assessed separately against full takeover demand. Select the other machine as duty without moving sources.

For parallel pairs, the surviving-alone column assesses each machine against the whole planned demand. This is a steady-state N−1 check, not proof of successful load transfer or transient performance.

Scope and limitations

Generator data is saved with the project and included in project-file import/export and design duplication. Existing projects start with no generator assignments. Workspace and user Engineering permissions remain unchanged, and collaboration uses the Generators editing area.

Fuel consumption, runtime, motor starting, harmonics, neutral heating, generator fault-current contribution, transient voltage/frequency behaviour, synchronisation and transfer equipment are not calculated from nameplate kVA. These need suitable manufacturer and installation data.