Environment of Care (EC) (Critical Access Hospitals / Critical Access Hospitals)
Emergency Generator Monthly Test - 30% Threshold
Publish | January 01, 0001
When are annual emergency generator load tests required?
Per EC.02.05.07, any generator that serves the loads described in EC.02.05.03 are to be tested monthly with building (dynamic) load for at least 30 continuous minutes. When using building load, if they cannot achieve at least 30% of the generator’s rated load at all times during all monthly tests, they are required to perform an annual test with a artificial load per the test procedure in EP 5. The annual test is not a full load test… it’s a stepped test at 25% for 30-minutes, 50% for 30 minutes and 75% for one hour; the artificial load (load bank) allows for control of the load applied to the generator. The annual test requirement only applies to diesel generators that cannot remain above the 30% threshold during the monthly tests; the annual test is not applicable to natural gas or propane generators, but the monthly test still is applicable. It is important to note that the stepped load test will be required as long a NFPA 110 (1999 edition) is used. [EC.02.05.07]
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