Overheating
In this section, I will be talking about some major and simple faults a generating set can develop at any point in time and the causes and also solutions to what an engineer can do to correct the fault.
Overheating
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
But first I will be looking into overheating, its causes and solution.
Overheating in Essence
Overheating is a fault that can occur at any time in an engine if proper precautions are not taken to prevent it. I will define overheating in my own word as the uncontrolled increase in the coolant temperature of an engine. The coolant is found in the radiator mixed with water and runs through the designed pathway of the engine to cool both the moving parts of the engine and the lubricating oil.
Overheating can be notice in the engine when the temperature of the of the engine increases all of a sudden, the temperature of the coolant increases to the boiling point and an intense heat is felt when close to the engine. Sometimes, an engineer will observe the exhaust pipes becoming red hot. At this point it is wise to shut down in other to prevent a costlier damage. This will be referred to generators without coolant temperature sensors, but for Cummins designed engines, once an increase in temperature that counters the programmed temperature is notice, the generator will shutdown on its own. This is because, the coolant sensor notifies control board which automatically cuts the circuit and shuts the generator down.
Overheating can cause some major damage to an engine. It can cause the damage of the top cylinder gasket. When there is an uncontrolled increase in the temperature of an engine, this will cause an increase in the temperature of the moving parts especially the piston. This increase in temperature will cause the piston to expand beyond proportionality and will not move smoothly along the liner therefore causing damage to the liner, rings and piston and it will hook making the engine to stop. This can finally make the engine to knock.
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