Generators: Rated as 'clean power'. How can I tell and is there something to clean it

[LincolnShieldArc]

Now just how does a person go about checking how much distortion a generator has??

 

[cdaigle430]

Now just how does a person go about checking how much distortion a generator has??

I couldnt remember what my Generac 16kw NG was and I was pretty sure they never mentioned "Clean Power" I got a little worried but I found out they called it True Power.

True Power Technology delivers best-in-class power quality with less than 5 percent total harmonic distortion for clean, smooth operation of sensitive electronics and appliances.

 

[RoyKing]

Here is rough explain, if uses brushes and runs at 3600 it is dirty. If your running brushless alternator at 1800 rpm with voltage regulator it is usually clean. For power rating need to look for continuous output usually around 75% of peak. The newest designs with digital voltage regulator has and extra winding that lets the regulator see speed change, and will put out power cleaner than the grid. Go to mecc alte site and read all about it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Cleanliness has NOTHING to do with Brushes! Someone selling you a brushless set may TELL you that!

Most of my slow running Diesel sets have brushes, have exceptionally clean power and I wouldn't want a brushless set. I can change brushes in ten minutes or so. That could even be done, outside in the middle of a snowstorm. Try that when the diodes in a brushless set fail.

But, I use my sets so infrequently, that all those brushes will outlive me.

I have an Onan/Kubota 7.5 Quiet Diesel Inverter set. Of all my sets, with all it's digital, and electronic stuff, it would be the one I would least relay on. Although it makes pure sign wave AC.

 

[RickB]

Clean power is 99% hype. The vast majority of electronics operate on DC voltage. My 1970’s Winpower PTO,alternator never caused ANY problems. That unit was built before the clean power BS was concocted.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Utility power is far from clean.

Ironically, all this CLean Green electrical stuff from LED lighting to computers, to all manner of consumer electronics puts terrible garbage and harmonics on the lines with their (cheap) switching PSUs.

I have little doubt that stopping and starting a generator with sensitive loads connected, might be the worst thing you can do. Appliances with those fancy electronics come to mind. I have disconnect switches on all that stuff. Seen too many otherwise perfectly good appliances at the dump, only their brains fried in a "surge" or lightning strike close by. Friend just lost all his appliances and can't get new ones for months on account of the Covid Boogeyman.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I think the only source of "Clean" power generation today may be solar based with a quality inverter. While not "clean" the 1992 RV generator in our RV at 1800 RPM and with electronic power regulation makes very stable power. NG based may be best for people with COPD with diesel being the most harmful health wise because of their small particle production.

 

[k0ua]

How to check for "clean power" simple. Just look at the waveform under a load with an oscilloscope. If it doesn't look like a sine wave, than it is not clean.

 

[k0ua]

I think the only source of "Clean" power generation today may be solar based with a quality inverter. While not "clean" the 1992 RV generator in our RV at 1800 RPM and with electronic power regulation makes very stable power. NG based may be best for people with COPD with diesel being the most harmful health wise because of their small particle production.

Most solar inverters are the antithesis of clean. Most produce square waves at best.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Most solar inverters are the antithesis of clean. Most produce square waves at best.

It is easy to miss the word "quality" in a post.

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