Everyday electrical power generation reference & resources

As a powergen professional, I always find myself looking for electrical power generation reference material.

I use tables, calculations, equations, rules of thumb, unit conversions, and industry standards on a weekly basis.

This page is created as an easy reference for myself as well as my friends and colleagues in the power generation community.

If you have any reference material that you would like to share, or anything that you feel is missing, please let me know.

Power Calculations

A good power calculation formula sheet is a great electrical power generation reference to always have around.

Most of them help you to calculate kW, kVA, horsepower, amperes, etc. for single phase (AC) alternating current, three phase AC, and direct current (DC) systems.

Quick formulas allow you to insert your own values for power factor and alternator efficiency.

On my power calculation page, I will include a free one page PDF reference sheet for download.

Unit Conversions

In the power generation industry, you have to perform unit conversions on a daily basis.

Converting between kW, HP, & PS units of power or Nm to lb ft for torque.

Those are very common conversions that many have the factors for in their head.

Another common conversion that I do is for pressure: kPa to psi to inches of water (water column) to inches of Mercury (in Hg).

Click here for my unit conversion page.

Motor Starting kVA values

During locked rotor starting, a electric motor current demands are much larger than while it is running.

Typically this is called the current inrush, and must be planned for when sizing motors or alternators.

For example, a nominal 10hp motor will draw 8.7 kWe (10.7 kVA)of power at a steady 100% load.

However, when starting, a Class H motor will put 73 kVA of load onto your system.

On my motor starting page, I will include a free one page PDF reference sheet for download.

Worldwide Diesel Engine Fuel Sulfur Content

If your project involves an EGR engine, you have to know the fuel sulfur content standard for the country.

If excessive, the extra sulfur in the exhaust will combine with condensed water in the EGR cooler – forming sulphuric acid.

This of course rapidly ruins the EGR cooler components and EGR valves.

Higher sulphur content can also poison diesel oxidation catalyst systems.

For Tier III or interim Tier IV engines, it is important to review this material before allowing exportation.

Visit the Worldwide Diesel Engine Fuel Sulfur Content page.

Worldwide Electrical Power Information

ISO Shipping Containers

Power Generation Professional Associations

Here are some professional associations that are a good electrical power generation reference.

The Electrical Generating Systems Association –

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

Liturature and Publications for electrical power generation

Diesel Progress is the monthly resource for covering news and products in the engine powered equipment business.

Diesel and Gas Turbine  is a published by the same folks as Diesel Progress.  It is geared towards big power projects, gas turbine installations, large shipping, and CHP co-generation.

Cummins T-030 is a fantastic resource covering electrical and mechanical topics that are relevant to on-site power generation.

These are the electrical power generation reference materials that I always have around me.

They are useful to me on a daily basis, and they will be to you as well.