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LED inrush current and generator set

Julien Leblanc
Hello,


I'm currently working on a sport field application where i need to power some LED reflectors (30 kW total).

I will also use a generator set, in case the network fails.


The inrush current of the reflectors is 3 times higher than their rated current, but the duration is only 0.2ms.


Could anybody tell me if i should take into account the inrush current when I choose the generator set power (that is, to oversize the generator)?

Or i should ignore the inrush current and set the power of the generator a bit higher than the total power of the reflectors?

I'm not talking about the circuit breakers of generator's outputs. Let's say one can choose them so that they don't trip.

If those breakers don't trip, is it possible that anything else happen to the generator set, because of the inrush current?


I've been searching through the specifications of many generator sets, but i cannot find any data on this specific problem (short overload).






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    I agree with the other responses here. For a step load of 30 kVA, you are probably going to need a generator rated at three times that to prevent the engine stalling, especially when cold. If you are going to apply a high step-load, it is better for the generator to be pre-heated to a reasonable temperature using an electric heater, so it is almost ready for load when it starts, to cut down on the “warm up time” you need to give it. The other issue you may have, is whether the AVC (auto voltage control) is going to be able to figure out the waveform of the led lighting. Some of the more cost effective ones won’t cope, and hunt round the target voltage, which is likely to be noticeable. 


    As Mike has suggested, you need to get a generator manufacturer on board fairly early, and ensure that if you do need to schedule the lighting to come on in a staged way over several seconds, you plan for it now. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
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  • 0
    I agree with the other responses here. For a step load of 30 kVA, you are probably going to need a generator rated at three times that to prevent the engine stalling, especially when cold. If you are going to apply a high step-load, it is better for the generator to be pre-heated to a reasonable temperature using an electric heater, so it is almost ready for load when it starts, to cut down on the “warm up time” you need to give it. The other issue you may have, is whether the AVC (auto voltage control) is going to be able to figure out the waveform of the led lighting. Some of the more cost effective ones won’t cope, and hunt round the target voltage, which is likely to be noticeable. 


    As Mike has suggested, you need to get a generator manufacturer on board fairly early, and ensure that if you do need to schedule the lighting to come on in a staged way over several seconds, you plan for it now. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
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