GE Energy

Aero Energy
Division

Position Paper #01

Rev C
Date: February 01, 2012

Generator Temperature Limits Starting, Operation, Transportation

16415 Jacintoport Blvd

Houston, TX 77015
USA
T 001-281-864-2803
F 001-281-864-2977

Introduction
This position paper provides information regarding GE Aero AC generator temperature
limitations for starting, operation and transportation/lifting.
Description
Generator specified start-up and operational temperature limits are the following:
-

START-UP: Generator Stator Windings. Start enable inhibited if generator stator

winding temp < 14 deg F. Generator space heaters will be used to warm generator
stator windings prior to start up and grant start permissive.

GENERATOR BEARINGS: GT start enable inhibited if generator lube oil supply

temperature < 40 deg F, or if bearing metal temp < 14 deg F. Warm lube oil flowing
through system shall be used to warm supply temperature and bearings to grant
start permissive.

SHUTDOWN: Generator enclosure ventilation fans (as applicable) shall operate

during post shutdown crank cycle. When post shutdown crank cycle is completed,
continue to operate ventilation fans until stator winding temperatures have cooled <
120 deg F, or when stator temperatures are equal to ambient temperature with +/- 5
deg F deadband.

A typical GE PP LM6000 package consists of the generator fully enclosed in a sound

attenuated enclosure. If the design point parameter of the site is < 20 F, powerful
enclosure space heaters are installed to heat the equipment when the generator is offline and help maintain it in a ready to start condition. These enclosure heaters, coupled
with the generator space heater, provide adequate convection heat to the room,
generator stator and bearings, and lube oil system piping to start the package.
-

OPERATION: Once the generator is started up and running with load, there are no
minimum cooling air temperature limits as the generator develops sufficient heat on
its own.

The generator room has enclosure ventilation fans to force air into the room to keep the
room purged, and provide a small amount of positive pressure for adequate generator
bearing seal. These ventilation fans draw air from the inlet filter bank, ventilation side.
PP01 Rev C
Page 1 of 2
COPYRIGHT, 2012 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.

The temperature of this air will be ambient unless the air is heated with inlet glycol
heated coils or other means. Generator lube oil systems and equipment should be
protected from cold ventilation airflow to maintain their temperature > 5 F.
For outdoor generator applications, these same start permissives apply.
-

TRANSPORTATION/LIFTING: AC generators have minimum temperature rating

that should be adhered prior to transportation and lifting. All standard offering AC
generators provided by GE Aero have minimum temperature rating -25 deg C.
Special steels can be offered to -40 deg C. The LMS100 98-330 ER generator has
standard temperature rating to -29 deg C. AC generators should not be handled,
transported or lifted when cold soaked below these temperatures.

Conclusion
AC generators have temperature ratings that should be adhered for start-up, operation
and transportation/lifting, as applicable. GE Aero standard design has features to
ensure proper temperatures are in design range prior to start up, during operation and
shutdown sequence. Logistics should adhere to temperature rating of the generator
based on ambient condition during transportation/lifting of the machine. Special steel
materials can be provided on project specific basis, as needed, that would allow cold
steel capability to as low as -40 deg C.

PP01 Rev C
Page 2 of 2
COPYRIGHT, 2012 GE PACKAGED POWER, L.P., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPRIETARY AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY OF GE
PACKAGED POWER, L.P., AND IS LOANED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPRODUCED NOR USED FOR ANY PURPOSE
EXCEPT THAT FOR WHICH IT IS LOANED. IT SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED ON DEMAND, AND IS SUBJECT TO ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ANY
WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER WHICH INCORPORATES OR RELATES TO THIS DRAWING.