Similar to human resource management, factory maintenance, and IT support, industrial generator services can also take a reactive or preventative approach. Both play an essential role in keeping an industrial generator in proper working order. But what sets these two servicing processes apart, and what should you keep in mind as an owner of an industrial generator?In this short blog with TRIC Power Products, we explore the ins and outs of these two types of industrial generator services—and the benefits and risks of both. Let’s dive in.
What Preventive Maintenance Includes
Preventive generator maintenance involves the deliberate planning of regular servicing to ensure optimal performance. Preventive maintenance involves predictive, real-time strategies to minimize the risk of worn parts, broken components, or a failing system. This type of maintenance typically follows the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations, while also taking into account system-specific factors such as age and environmental conditions.
Industrial generators vary widely in terms of output, configuration, and capacity. As a result, there’s no one-size-fits-all maintenance plan. Industrial generators require regular maintenance tasks, including weekly, monthly, and annual inspections, to maintain optimal working performance. Additionally, not all preventive maintenance needs to be performed by a licensed technician. Crew members can and should regularly complete basic tasks, including checking operational statuses and performing visual checks for oil leaks. Preventative industrial generator services include:
- Battery testing
- Routine inspections
- Pre-emptive coolant flushing
What Reactive Maintenance Means
Reactive generator maintenance, on the other hand, involves addressing failures or broken components after they occur. Reactive servicing only begins once something has failed or broken. This also includes 24/7 emergency industrial generator services. It typically involves running diagnostic tests, identifying the cause, and troubleshooting the system.
Reactive industrial generator services include:
- Repairing overheating issues
- Repairing alternator issues
- Troubleshooting oil leaks
- Emergency servicing
The Hidden Cost of Generator Maintenance
While reactive servicing may seem like the standard way to handle repairs, it can become costly in the long run. Relying too heavily on reactive repairs on your industrial generator exposes you to larger, more expensive expenses down the road. For example, one of the most common industrial issues is failing to replace weak or dead batteries. While most industrial generators have automatic battery self-tests that cycle on a weekly or monthly basis, these tests don’t catch every potential issue.
One of the biggest downfalls of reactive industrial generator services is the potential for unexpected downtime. No one can predict outages, but when power goes out, your industrial standby generator must be able to respond instantly. Without preventive maintenance, issues from a weak battery to a failed automatic transfer switch can prevent a generator from working when it’s most needed.
So, Is Preventative or Reactive Maintenance Better?
It can be tempting to assume that keeping up with scheduled maintenance can completely eliminate all unexpected repairs. The reality, however, is often more complex. Most industrial generators usually end up needing a mix of both reactive maintenance and preventative maintenance.
Industrial generators have numerous working parts, especially larger ones dedicated to large facilities across Alberta. Your best bet to ensure that your generator works, regardless of the weather, is with a licensed, reputable generator technician like TRIC Power Products. We offer preventative maintenance plans for every industrial generator. From mid-sized natural gas units to large, heavy-duty diesel generators—TRIC is your go-to generator technician.
Stay One Step Ahead of Outages with TRIC
At TRIC Power Products, we know that your generator is the lifeblood of your operation. That’s why we make it our priority to provide comprehensive industrial generator services for businesses across northern Alberta. Whether you need 24/7 emergency generator servicing, help diagnosing a component failing, or scheduled preventative maintenance, we’re here for you. Experience the TRIC standard today. Visit our website to contact us and schedule your appointment.