Conventional Starting Procedures For Diesel Generator Sets

Conventional Starting Procedures for Diesel Generator Sets

I. Pre-Start Inspection (Mandatory)
1. Check the engine oil level and quality, ensure it is within the normal range.
2. Check the coolant level, ensure there is no water shortage or leakage.
3. Check the diesel fuel level, make sure the fuel switch is open, and there is no air or fuel leakage.
4. Check the battery voltage and connections, ensure they are secure without loosening or oxidation.
5. Confirm that the output air switch/circuit breaker is off; start without load.
6. Ensure the engine body and exhaust pipe are secure, and there are no obstructions around.
7. In winter, preheat in advance by turning on the preheating switch for 3–5 minutes.

II. Manual Start Steps
1. Turn on the starter battery switch.
2. Ensure the dashboard self-check is normal, with no fault alarms.
3. Press the start button for 3–5 seconds to ignite and start the diesel engine.
4. Immediately release the button after starting; do not press the starter motor for a long time.
5. Let the engine idle for 3–5 minutes for warm-up, and observe whether oil pressure, water temperature, voltage, and frequency are normal.
6. Gradually increase to rated speed if there are no abnormal noises, oil or water leaks, or black smoke.
7. Close the output switch and deliver power under load once all parameters are stable within the standard range.

III. Fully Automatic ATS Unit Start (Automatic Start on Power Failure)
1. When the mains power is normal, the unit is on standby; the ATS automatically monitors the mains.
2. After a short delay when mains power is cut off, the unit starts automatically.
3. Once warmed up and stabilized, the ATS automatically switches the load to generator power.
4. When mains power is restored, the ATS automatically switches back to mains power and the unit idles with a delayed shutdown.

IV. Startup Precautions
1. If the first start fails, wait 15–30 seconds before trying again; do not start continuously more than 3 times to prevent damage to the starter motor.
2. It is strictly forbidden to start under load; the unit must be warmed up unloaded before supplying power.
3. If low oil pressure, high water temperature, abnormal noise, or thick smoke occurs after starting, stop the engine immediately for inspection.
4. In low-temperature environments, preheat is essential to avoid engine damage from hard starting.