Industrial and critical power.
Backup generators, transfer switches and standby power for sites that cannot go dark.
What it is
Backup power starts with a question: what must keep operating when the normal supply fails? Industrial and critical power work brings generators, transfer equipment and electrical distribution together around that answer. The design basis includes essential loads, motor starting demand, acceptable interruption time and the duration of support required. Equipment capacity alone is not the whole system; transfer arrangements, protective devices, grounding and fuel availability matter. A generator typically needs time to start and accept load, so equipment that cannot tolerate a gap may need an appropriate uninterruptible power supply. Planning covers maintenance access, safe isolation and testing under agreed conditions. The goal is a coordinated standby installation matched to the site, with its operating limits understood before an outage.
When you need it
- Loss of utility power would interrupt essential equipment or site operations.
- You are installing or changing a generator, transfer switch or standby distribution system.
- New loads or operational requirements call for a review of existing backup power.
What we check
- Essential loads, starting demand, required runtime and acceptable interruption time.
- Generator and transfer equipment compatibility, circuit protection, grounding and distribution arrangements.
- Site conditions, maintenance access and the agreed transfer and commissioning test sequence.
Permits and inspection
Standby power projects can involve electrical, building, fire and air quality approvals depending on the equipment and location. The scope should identify applicable reviews, required inspections and commissioning responsibilities before installation begins.
Frequently asked questions
How is generator capacity determined?
Sizing considers the equipment that must operate, running loads, motor starting demand and how loads are connected. A site-specific load assessment is more useful than selecting a generator from floor area or nameplate size alone.
What does a transfer switch do?
Transfer equipment selects the source supplying the connected loads and, in a conventional standby arrangement, prevents the generator from feeding back into the utility supply. The arrangement must suit the equipment and the site requirements.
Does a standby generator provide uninterrupted power?
Not by itself. Starting and transferring to a generator usually involves an interruption. Loads that cannot tolerate that interval may need a properly selected UPS or another engineered continuity arrangement.