Why are generator sets not allowed to operate under small loads

Due to the fact that there are multiple pressure seals inside the engine, these seals usually only fully function when the engine is under about one-third load. When the load is low, there may be slight leakage. Therefore, foreign engine manufacturers generally emphasize this. If the generator set operates under a small load, as the running time continues, the following faults will occur

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1.The piston-cylinder liner seal is not good, causing engine oil to seep up and enter the combustion chamber for combustion, resulting in blue smoke coming out of the exhaust.

 

2. For turbocharged diesel engines, due to low load or no-load conditions, the boost pressure is low. This can easily lead to a decline in the sealing effect of the turbocharger oil seal (non-contact type), allowing engine oil to seep into the boost chamber and enter the cylinder along with the intake air.

 

3. Some of the engine oil that surges up into the cylinder participates in combustion, some cannot be completely burned and are prone to form carbon deposits, and the rest is discharged with the exhaust. In this way, engine oil will gradually accumulate in the exhaust passage of the cylinder liner and carbon deposits will also form.

 

4. When the engine oil accumulates to a certain extent in the boost chamber of the turbocharger, it will seep out from the mating surface of the turbocharger.

 

5. Long-term operation at low load will lead to more serious consequences such as accelerated wear of moving parts and deterioration of the engine’s combustion environment, resulting in an earlier overhaul period.

 

For more questions about the generator set, please call the Beidou Power team. More than ten years of professional production and sales of power generation equipment experience, more professional engineer team to serve you, choose Beidou power is to choose rest assured, welcome on-site factory inspection.


Post time: Sep-24-2025