SYSTEMS DATA SHEET

Understanding Generator Set Ratings

Smart rating choices combined with the latest in onsite power generation systems can help match
equipment to a specific application for optimal long-term performance and reliability.

Generator set ratings may seem complex, but maximum of 500 hours per year. The normal
their basic purpose is simple: fit the application standby rating is not for use in utility paralleling
needs at the optimum reliability, performance, applications.
and cost. An improper rating means either buying
For example, a 3 MW standby rated generator
more capacity than needed or risking shorter life
set will provide power for the duration of an
to overhaul, more repairs, and more downtime.
outage. It should be run for up to 500 hours per
Ratings have changed in recent years, and more year and have an average load factor of 2.1 MW.
sophisticated switchgear can be integrated with
generator sets. That means more flexibility to
Emergency Standby Power (ESP): The ESP
specify generating systems that closely match a
rating differs from the Standby rating only in the
specific installation requirement.
number of running hours allowed per year. ESP
The key to choosing the right rating is to ratings allow a maximum running time of 200
understand the application in detail. That means hours per year at a 70% average load factor with
not only knowing the type of duty but also varying load. An example of the Standby and
answering: ESP ratings are shown in Chart 1.
What is the average load factor? 3 .5
A ve rage Loa d o n G ene rato r
G ene rato r N am e pla te R ating
What is the maximum required load? 3
G ene rato r Loa d

How many hours per year will the

2 .5
generator sets run?
Load (MW)

Will the generator sets be run isolated 2

from or in parallel with the utility? 1 .5

Ratings Defined
Caterpillar defines five basic generator set 0 .5

ratings: Emergency Standby Power (ESP),

Standby, Mission Critical Standby, Prime, and 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
T im e
Continuous. Cat generator set ratings differ in Chart 1: Example Load Profile – 3 MW Standby Rating
certain respects from those defined by the
industry standard ISO8528-1 (see Table 1). Here Mission Critical Standby: In this application, the
are basic descriptions of the Cat genset ratings: generator set is capable of providing emergency
backup power at the nameplate rating for the
Standby: In this application, the generator set is duration of an outage. The average load factor of
capable of providing emergency backup power at a mission critical standby rated generator set
the nameplate rating for the duration of an should be no more than 85% of the nameplate
outage. The average load factor of a Standby rating with varying loads. A mission critical
rated generator set should be no more than 70% standby generator set can run for a maximum of
of the nameplate rating and applied to varying 500 hours per year. Typical peak demand is
loads. A Standby generator set can run for a 100% of the rating for maximum of 5% of the
operating time. The mission critical standby
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 SYSTEMS DATA SHEET Understanding Generator Set Ratings

rating is not for use in utility paralleling 3.5

applications. An example of the mission critical 3

standby rating is shown in Chart 2. 2.5

Load (MW)
A verage Load on G enerator 2
3 .5
G enerator N am eplate R ating
1.5
G enerator Load
3
1 Load on Generator
2 .5 0.5 Average Load on Generators
Generator Nameplate Rating
0
Load (MW)

2 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time
1 .5 Chart 3: Example Load Profile: 2.7 MW Prime Rating

Load Management
0 .5 A Prime rated generator applied under load
management guidelines allows for a Prime rated
0
0 5 10 15
Tim e
20 25 30 generator set to be used in parallel with the
Chart 2: utility. A Prime rated generator set under load
Example Load Profile: 3MW Mission Critical Standby Rating management guidelines can run for a maximum
of 500 hours per year. This generator set has
the same nameplate rating as a Prime rated unit,
For example, a 3 MW mission critical standby
but allows for an average load factor of up to
rated generator set will provide power for the
100%. The Prime rating with load management
duration of an outage. It could be run for up to
guidelines does not allow for a 10% overload
500 hours per year and have an average load
capability.
factor of up to 2.55 MW.
For example, these guidelines state that a 2.7
Prime: In this application, the generator set is
MW unit (same nameplate rating as the Prime
capable of providing power to a varying load for
rated unit) can be run at 2.7 MW for a maximum
an unlimited number of hours per year. A Prime
of 500 hours.
rated generator set is capable of providing full
nameplate rating for a period of time, but must
Load management practices: There are two
have an average load factor of no more than
basic load management practices: base loading
70% of the Prime rating. Ten percent overload is
and peak shaving.
allowed for emergencies for a maximum of 1
hour in 12, and for no more than 25 hours per In base loading, the generator set operates at a
year. The standard prime rating is for use in fixed kW output, and the utility provides power for
either utility paralleling or isolated applications. any peaks above that level. In this scenario the
end user may export power to the grid if more
For example, a 2.7 MW rated unit may provide
power is being generated then is required by the
the full nameplate rating for a short duration, but
facility loads, and the appropriate agreements
should have a maximum average load of 1.89
with the utility are in place. An example of base
MW (not including generator set non-running
loading is shown in Chart 4.
time per ISO8528-1). The generator set can also
provide 3 MW of power in emergencies as 4

defined above. An example of the Prime rating is 3 .5

shown in Chart 3. 2 .5
Load (MW)

1 .5

U tility L o a d
1

0 .5
E x p o r t to U t ilit y

0
G e n e ra to r B a s e L o a d
1 5 9 13 17 21 25 29
T im e

Chart 4: Example Load Profile –

2.7 MW Load Management (Base Loading)
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 SYSTEMS DATA SHEET Understanding Generator Set Ratings

In peak shaving, the utility provides a fixed Performing dual duty

amount of kW and the end user deploys the Intelligent use of ratings also can help customers
generators to pick up, or shave, demand peaks use power systems for the added purpose of load
and any other load requirement over that fixed management. Here, advanced switchgear is part
amount of load. Peak shaving can be used of the equation.
during times of the year when the utility has
In some applications there may be a desire to
demand higher than its capacity. In this case, the
use backup generators for load management to
utility provides incentives to generator set owners
produce an additional return on their investment.
to use peak shaving to decrease the load
However, standby rated generator sets are not
demand from the grid. An example of Peak
intended for operation in parallel with the utility.
Shaving is shown in Chart 5.
To perform utility paralleling applications a prime
G e n e ra t o r L o a d
U tility L o a d M a x im u m
rating with load management guidelines or a
4 U tility L o a d
continuous rated unit are appropriate.
3.5

3
Paralleling switchgear combined with the correct
2.5
prime rated units is required when operating
Load (MW)

2
under load management guidelines. The
1.5
switchgear controls provide increased system
1
flexibility allowing generator sets to operate in
0.5
parallel with the utility. The switchgear is able to
0
control the load on the generator sets and
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

T im e
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
monitor the power supplied from the utility. This
Chart 5: Example Load Profile –
ensures that the generator sets are providing the
2.7 MW Load Management (Peak Shaving) proper load and are not operating outside of their
rating guidelines.
Continuous: In this application, the generator
set is able to provide power to a non-varying load
Regardless of the application, generator set
for an unlimited number of hours per year. The
ratings help ensure that customers’ power needs
average power output of the generator set is 70 -
are met and that generating equipment is
100% of the rating. The rating is designed to
protected from premature wear. Choosing the
provide 100% of the rating for 100% of the
right rating means making the proper tradeoffs
operating hours.
between run hours, peak load, and average load.
Typical Continuous rating applications include The proper rating means the customer receives
base loading in parallel with the utility and co- the optimum combination of installed cost and
generation operations. An example of a long-term cost of ownership.
Continuous rated generator set is shown in Chart
6.
3

2 .5

2
Load (MW)

1 .5

L o a d o n G e n e ra to rs
0 .5
G e n e r a t o r N a m e p la t e
R a t in g
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30

T im e

Chart 6: Example Load Profile – 2.5 MW Continuous Rating

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 SYSTEMS DATA SHEET Understanding Generator Set Ratings

Table 1: ISO 8528 and Caterpillar Ratings

ISO 8528 Rating Caterpillar Rating
Rating Definition Rating Definition

The maximum power available during a variable

electrical power sequence, under the stated
operating conditions, for which a generating set is
Typical usage of 50 hours per year with a
capable of delivering in the event of a utility power
Emergency Emergency maximum of 200 hours per year with varying loads.
outage or under test conditions for up to 200 hours
Standby Power Standby Power Average variable load factor is 70% of the ESP
of operation per year with maintenance intervals
(ESP) (ESP) rating. No overload is available. Not for
and procedures being carried out as prescribed by
maintained utility paralleling applications.
the manufactures. The permissible average power
output over 24 hours of operation shall not exceed
70% of the ESP rating.
Typical usage of 200 hours per year, with a
maximum of 500 hours per year with varying loads.
Standby Power Average variable load factor is 70% of Standby
rating. No overload is available. Not for
maintained utility paralleling applications.
Typical usage of 200 hours per year, with a
No ISO equivalent maximum of 500 hours per year with varying loads.
Average variable load factor is 85% of Standby
Mission Critical rating. Typical peak demand of up to 100% of the
Standby rating for 5% of the operating time. No overload is
available. Not for maintained utility paralleling
applications. Typical application is data centers and
healthcare.
The maximum power available under the agreed
Load Load management is the deliberate control of loads
operating conditions, for which the generating set is
Limited Time Management on a generator set and/or utility to have the lowest
capable of delivering for up to 500 hours of
Running Power Guidelines possible electrical costs. Maximum of 500 hours
operation per year with the maintenance intervals
(LTP) (Prime Power per year with varying loads. Maximum load factor
and procedures being carried out as prescribed by
Rating) is 100%. Typical application is peak shaving.
the manufacturers.
The maximum power which a generating set is Unlimited hours of usage. Average variable load
capable of delivering continuously whilst supplying factor is 70% of the Prime Power rating. 10%
a variable electrical load when operated for an overload available, but limited to 1 in 12 hours and
unlimited number of hours per year under the not to exceed 25 hours per year. The 10%
Prime Running
agreed operating conditions with the maintenance Prime Power overload is available in accordance with ISO 3046-
Power (PRP)
intervals and procedures being carried out as 1. Life to overhaul of the engine is dependant on
prescribed by the manufacturer. The permissible operating as outlined in ISO 8528, and time spent
average power output over 24 hours of operation during operation above 70% load may affect the life
shall not exceed 70% of the PRP rating. to overhaul.
The maximum power which the generation set is
capable of delivering continuously whilst supplying
Unlimited hours of usage. Non-varying load factor
Continuous a constant electrical load when operated for an
Continuous is 70%-100% of the published Continuous Power
Operating unlimited number of hours per year under the
Power rating. Typical pear demand is 100% of the
Power (COP) agreed operating conditions with the maintenance
continuous rating for 100% of the operating hours.
intervals and procedures being carried out as
prescribed by the manufacturer.

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and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

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©2011 Caterpillar
All Rights Reserved.
LEXE0047-02
LEXE0047-02(04/11)
(04/11) Printed in U.S.A.
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