POWER INDEX

Find helpful information from this glossary of words in the power industry.

AN INDEX OF THE FREQUENTLY USED POWER TERMS

A

A

Amps/Ampere. a unit of electric current equal to a flow of one coulomb per second.

AC

Alternating Current. An electric current that reverses its direction many times a second at regular intervals, typically used in power supplies.

ACB

Air Circuit Breaker. An ACB is an electronic device that is used for the protection of electrical circuits from any short circuits or overcurrent. The ACB operates at atmospheric pressure in air. ACB is used in the switching mechanism and protection of the electrical system.

ATS

Auto Transfer Switch. A transfer switch is an electrical switch that switches a load between two sources.

AVMS

Anti Vibration Mounts. A flexible support that reduces the noise and vibration passing through from mainly the engine.

AVR

Automatic Voltage Regulator. An AVR is used to regulate the voltage, to keep a consistent voltage through the generator.

B

BAS

Building Automation System. Computer based control system installed in a building.

BMS

Building Management System. Computer based control system installed in a building.

C

CKD

CKD stands for Completely Knock down. It means the supply of engine and alternator.

COP

Continuous Power. The generator is ran for a prolonged period of time without stopping.

D

DB

Decibel. A measurement of sound.

DC

Direct Current. an electric current flowing in one direction only.

DG

Diesel generator – A diesel generator is the combination of a diesel engine with an electric generator (often an alternator) to generate electrical energy.

E

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency. Applicable to engines imported into the United States.

ESP

Emergency Standby Power. An emergency power system is an independent source of electrical power that supports electrical systems for when there is a loss of the normal power supply.

F

G

GPH

Gallons Per Hour.

H

HP

Horse Power. A measurement of the power of an engine.

HV

High Voltage. A voltage of over 600.

HZ

Hertz. The hertz is the derived unit of frequency and is defined as one cycle per second.

I

IP

Ingress Protection. Also known as Ingress Protection Rating.

J

K

KV

Kilovolt. 1000 volts.

KVA

Kilovolt-ampere. A kilovolt-ampere (kVA) is 1000 volt-amperes.

KW

Kilowatt. A kilowatt (kW) is 1000 watts.

KWH

Kilowatt-hour. a measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of one thousand watts for one hour.

L

LV

Low Voltage. A voltage of 120 or below.

LTP

Limited-Time Power. the maximum power that a generator is able of providing power for, up to 500 operating hours per year.

M

MCB

Miniature Circuit Breaker. Small trip switch operated by an overload and used to protect an electric circuit, especially a domestic circuit as an alternative to a fuse.

MCCB

Moulded Case Circuit Breaker. A type of electrical protection device that is used to protect the electrical circuit from excessive current, which can cause overload or short circuit

MTS

Manual Transfer Switch. A switch than can changes the load between two sources of power.

MV

Medium Voltage. Between 1000v and 35 KV.

MVA

Mega-volt ampere. 1000kva = 1MVA.

MW

Megawatt. 1000kw = 1MW.

N

O

OHMS

An electrical resistance between two points of a conductor, with a difference of one Volt.

P

PF

Power Factor. the ratio of the actual electrical power dissipated by an AC circuit to the product of the r.m.s. values of current and voltage. 0.8pf is the standard power factor for a diesel generator.

PMG

Permanent Magnet Generator. This is used for secondary excitation, and provides a stable electric energy for the AVR.

PRP

Prime Power. The primary source of power for operating, this load can be variable.

Q

R

RPM

Revolutions Per Minute. How fast the engine is operating at any one time. Typically the engine will run at around 1500RPM (50Hz), and 1800RPM (60Hz).

S

SAE

Socity of Automotive Engineers. The sizing of the alternator housing and engine flywheel.

SKD

SKD stands for Semi Knock down. It means the supply of semi-assembled generators.

SPS

Standby Power Supply.

T

U

V

V

Volts. The SI unit of electromotive force, the difference that can carry one A of current against the ohm resistance. In the UK, the standard housing voltage is 230V (1PH), and typically for manufacturing 400V (3PH).

VA

Volt Amps. It is the unit used for the apparent power in an electrical circuit.

VCC

Vacuum Circuit Breakers. In the event of a fault current, the VCB mechanism effects withdrawal of the movable contact from the fixed contact

W

Watt

The watt is a unit of power.

WJH

Water Jacket Heater. is a water-filled casing surrounding a device, typically a metal sheath having intake and outlet vents to allow water to be pumped through and circulated.

X

Y

Z