I have a generator in the building I am working on. It appears quite dated, but its stats are as follows: it’s a 415 Volt 3 Phase Diesel Generator.On the plate of the generator:415V3 Phase640KVA520KWPower Factor 0.8902 AmpsSo my question is:We are testing the generator to its full load, now my load is at power factor 1. Would I be correct in assuming that because my load is power factor 1 that the full load of my generator is 640kW not 520kW.Or is it that my actual power loading is rated at 520kW, but that load is allowed to be inductive or capacitive to 0.8.Because it says 900 amps on the plate I am therefore under the assumption that regardless of my load characteristics, as long as I do not exceed 900 amps there should be no problem. Or is it a case that my load can only be 520kW and the highest I can allow the phase to go out is up to 640kVA.Hope that makes sense, ill edit if not. Thanks for reading.
While your generator will handle the amperes as either KVA or KW, unfortunately, the KW rating is is the rating of your driver. You are driver limited, not generator limited.
Treat all of the figures as maximum rated outputs. The maximum power it can delivery is 520kW, that is why it says 520kW. 640kVA and power factor 0.8 should not be be exceeded either but if your load is pf1 then the 520kW will take precedence. No offence but anyone who can't interpret these numbers shouldn't really be testing equipment of this power.
