What is the difference between standby/emergency use and prime or prime continuous duty applications?
A. A majority of generator products are rated for standby or emergency use. This designation is for generators that will be used less than 500 hours per year and typically for short periods of time when the utility power fails. The prime duty rating is for use when the number of hours per year will exceed 500 and the use is on a regular basis. Prime continuous duty is the rating given for generators that are used 24-hour per day and 7-days per week. These ratings are based on the fact that the generator system will perform at the highest standby rating but when the hours or use exceed the recommended standard for standby the life expectancy can be shortened considerably and the potential for premature failure is increased. It is for this reason that the proper assessment of the application should be declared at the time of purchase. Buying a genset rated for standby duty and using it for prime or prime continuous application is penny wise and pound foolish and will normally void your w
