AmpSentry™: The ultimate protection

Cummins Power Generation

Hospitals, data centers, water/wastewater, and a wide range of other critical infrastructure and institutional facilities that require continuous or near continuous uptime, typically utilize a generator set for a reliable backup power when the normal power source is unavailable.

For over one hundred years Cummins Power Generation has been at the leading edge of generator set design and innovation, helping the world push forward to meet customer, market, and environmental demands.

AMPSentryIt is the spirit of constant innovation that keeps Cummins Power Generation at the pinnacle of the power, and in that spirit comes AmpSentry™, which is the Cummins trade-marked name for the protection functions within the generator set control; the PowerCommand® Control. AmpSentry™ as a utility grade protective relay which gives the designer the assurance of reliable protection when it comes to protecting the generator set and loads.

AmpSentry™ Protective Relay Functions

Cummins Power Generation generator sets with AmpSentry™ protective relay provide the alternator protection that is required by codes and standards and by facility owners desiring good alternator protection. Because AmpSentry™ protective relay is specifically designed for alternator protection, it can provide necessary protection without the compromises and limitations that are necessary with other approaches. Some of AmpSentry™ protection elements and advantages are:

  1. Ampsentry™ has been designed to identify and regulate fault currents within the thermal damage curve of the alternator, protecting the alternator and permitting the downstream fault to clear.

  2. To minimize severity of short-circuit faults, AmpSentry™ adjusts the shutdown time to protect downstream equipment. The shutdown time from high severity to low are listed below:
    Short Circuit Failure: Shutdown Time:
    LINE-NEUTRAL (L-N) 2 Sec
    LINE-LINE (L-L) 5 Sec
    3-PHASE SHORT 10 Sec

  3. AmpSentry™ “remembers” the heating effects of a fault and accelerates tripping when a subsequent fault occurs before the alternator has a chance to properly cooldown. Consequently, an inexperienced operator would not be able to cause an alternator failure by repeatedly starting and short circuiting a generator set.

  4. Overcurrent protection which is the most critical protection function in an alternator protection scheme, because most modern alternators (those with excitation support systems such as permanent magnet generator driven voltage regulators) have the inherent ability to drive the alternator to destruction on a short circuit or ground fault condition. Thus, the overcurrent protection function must be matched to the thermal damage curve of the alternator. AmpSentry™ perfectly matches the alternator thermal damage curve.

An additional feature of AmpSentry™ is Maintenance Mode – which is an important safety feature that provides protection to personnel from the threat of arc flash energy. When maintenance mode is enabled AmpSentry shuts down the generator set (by shutting off fuel and excitation) as soon as it recognizes that current on any phase has exceeded 300% of the generator set rating. Tests have demonstrated that excitation is shut off within 50ms of the occurrence of the fault; thereby, greatly reducing the energy available to support an arc flash.

How AmpSentry™ works

Overload regulation:

When the PowerCommand® Control measures current in any phase as exceeding 110% of the generator set standby rating a current summing integral will be activated so that the generator will shut down based on the AmpSentry™ time-current curve. This allows AmpSentry™ to protect the alternator and the feeder cables connected to the alternator.

Fault current regulation:

When the PowerCommand® Control measures current in any phase as exceeding 300% of the generator set standby rating the control recognizes that this is a fault condition and begins to regulate current in the phase with the highest level of current to 300% of rated current. The purpose of this is to allow a downstream overcurrent protection device (OCPD) to clear the fault, maintaining a coordinated system. AmpSentry™ overcurrent protection function is in effect during a fault and will shut down the generator set based on the time current curve if the fault is still active.

In summary

Protecting the generator set with an effective and reliable means while still maintaining a coordinated system is essential in all power system designs. The PowerCommand® generator sets incorporate, as standard, a highly reliable protective functions that are designed to protect the generator set and provide a nominal level of protection to the load without making a significant impact on reliability. These protective functions are all under the name of AmpSentry™.

Cummins Power Generation generator sets with AmpSentry™ protective relay provide the alternator protection that is required by codes and standards and by facility owners desiring good alternator protection. Because AmpSentry™ protective relay is specifically designed for alternator protection, it can provide necessary protection without the compromises and limitations that are necessary with other approaches.

A special thank you to Ahmed Jaffer (Senior Global Product Manager), Hassan Obeid (Global Technical Advisor) and Andrew Frazer (Consultant Development Leader).

Why you should become a Cummins Home and Small Business dealer

Cummins dealer smiling next to home generator

For more than 100 years, Cummins Inc. has been dedicated to making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world. As a company, we seek to be customer-driven, innovative, responsible, and trustworthy so that we can truly make a difference now and in the future.

But exactly what does Cummins do? At a high level, we create power solutions. You’ll find Cummins products and solutions for on- and off-highway engines, turbochargers, electronics, fuel systems, generators and power systems, and more. We’re not in this on our own, though. With a broad network of Cummins-authorized dealers in the home and small business power solution space, we count on our independent dealers and their local relationships. If you’re interested in becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, keep reading to find out the benefits and how to get started.

Does Cummins make Home Generators and Small Business generators?

Yes, Cummins offers generators that are sufficient for residential homes and small businesses, including:

  • 13-20 kW air cooled emergency standby generators
  • 25-150 kW liquid cooled emergency standby generators
  • 9,500-watt portable, dual fuel heavy duty generators
  • 2,500-4,500-watt portable, lightweight inverter generators
  • 300-1,000-watt portable lithium battery powered power stations

In the midst of severe weather, increased blackouts, and aging power grids, generators are becoming more and more important. Consider this: 83% of power outages were the result of weather-related incidents from 2000 to 2021.

When these outages occur during extreme temperatures, generators are critical to keeping homes and businesses comfortable, safe, and operational. Families won’t have to worry about losing their heat or everything inside their refrigerators. Businesses won’t have to worry about the potential financial impact that comes with an outage—which can be as much as $12,500 a day for a small business. 

All of these reasons are likely why search terms like “Cummins generator dealers near me” are so popular on Google and other search engines. Local people are consistently looking for the right generator solution. Cummins-authorized dealers can help ensure they have the power they need, no matter what.

What are the benefits of being a Cummins Generator Dealer for Home and Small Business?

Of course, if you’re thinking about becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, the fact that there’s a market isn’t the only perk. Here are eight more reasons why you should become a Cummins-authorized Home and Small Business generator dealer.

  1. You’ll be backed by the Cummins brand, a name that’s synonymous with support, reliability, and sustainability. Cummins generators are quality, trustworthy equipment that you and your customers can count on.
  2. You will receive state-of-the-start training. Cummins provides courses and the certification path required to become a Cummins-authorized partner and product expert. Our technical training and certifications provide knowledge on Cummins home generator service like installation, maintenance, and repair.
  3. You can connect to a robust network of Cummins resources. Our dealers have access to a world-class set of tools, including training, a dedicated account executive, an online portal, sales and training certifications, and so much more.
  4. You’ll receive “preferred parts” pricing. By becoming an authorized dealer, you’ll get the best parts pricing around so you can maximize your profits. You can also pass these savings on to your customers to ensure your pricing is competitive.
  5. You can capitalize on marketing support. Cummins regularly invests in brand-building and lead generating campaigns to drive customers to our dealers. 
  6. You have access to warranty claim submission. Warranties don’t have to be a hassle for you or your customers. As an authorized-service dealer, you can submit warranty claims on behalf of your customer to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. 
  7. You can join the ChannelOne Partner Rewards Program. This competitive rewards program helps you maximize your earning power.
  8. You can list your company on the Cummins Parts & Service Locator. The Cummins service locator makes it easy for local customers to connect with your business, and it increases your overall brand visibility.

How to become a Cummins Dealer: It’s easier than you think

Stop missing out on all of the local online traffic searching for “Cummins authorized dealer near me,” and bring great products to your community! It takes just four simple steps to get started.

  1. Complete the online “Become a Dealer” interest form. A regional Cummins Account Executive will contact you to start the discussion.
  2. Share additional information about your business, your experience, and why you’re interested in becoming a Cummins dealer.
  3. Fill out and return the necessary paperwork to be processed by the Cummins team.
  4. Complete your required product training and become a Cummins Home and Small Business Dealer.

At Cummins, our company is dedicated to providing great products and services to customers throughout the world. If you’re ready to join our world-class network, get started now.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

How do I calculate what size generator I need?

Customers talking to Cummins dealer

There are several great reasons why you might be considering a standby generator for your home or small business. In the event of a power outage (caused by severe weather, for example), having a standby generator helps ensure ongoing safety and comfort. And in the case of a business, the ability to reduce downtime and maintain operations is a significant advantage.

Standby generators—also known as permanent or whole-house generators—offer reliable and efficient backup power solutions for a wide range of applications. If you’re currently exploring your options, we imagine you have a few concerns. You’re probably looking for a generator that’s sold and serviced by a reputable company, and want to determine the right generator capacity for your needs.

In this article, we’re going to help you answer a key question: “What size generator do I need to run my house or small business in the event of a power outage?” Keep reading for an overview of how to find the perfect Cummins Inc. standby generator for your needs.

What is the rule for generator sizing?

When it comes to understanding generator sizing, one important rule to keep in mind is that the generator needs to be able to power everything requiring electricity, but it also needs to have additional capacity to account for various appliances’ starting wattage. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation where your generator simply won’t cut it, potentially leaving your home or small business without the power it needs.

Next, we’ll cover a basic framework for calculating your power needs.

How to Calculate Standby Generator Size

Here’s a simple, three-step process for assessing your needs and priorities, understanding generator sizes, and finding what size generator is going to work best. 

Let’s take a look at what this process looks like.

Step 1: Understanding Generator Sizes

Here’s a basic formula for how to calculate standby generator size:

  1. First, create a list of everything in your home or small business that would need to be powered by the generator in case of an emergency. This should include anything that requires electricity and isn’t something you would want to go without should you lose power. It’s important to not only consider running wattage, but starting wattage as well—since most appliances will require a few seconds’ worth of extra wattage to get started. There are several online sources for determining appliances’ wattage requirements.
  2. Add together each item’s running watts. When in doubt, err on the side of overestimating wattage requirements since it’s much better to have a little more power available than is needed as opposed to having to adapt to a generator that lacks sufficient power.
  3. Then, to roughly account for starting wattage, add the single-highest starting watts figure to the total.
  4. To ensure a margin of safety—and to account for potential future needs—you should multiply that figure by at least 1.25. The resulting number is the minimum generator capacity you should consider.

You can also use our home generator sizing calculator to estimate your power needs.

Step 2: Assessing Your Needs

It’s important to understand your priorities. While getting the right size and type of generator that fits your budget are important, it’s also important to consider how you intend to use the generator.

  • Will it need to be capable of maintaining enough power for your home or small business in case of an emergency?
  • Do you envision having a permanently-installed generator, or is portability important?

How you answer these questions should help provide context for the next step: exploring generator sizing and zeroing in on the perfect product for your needs.

Step 3: Finding the Right Generator

In addition to the generator size calculator, our online buyer’s guide to home generators is a great starting point for exploring your options. Cummins offers three main types of standby generators suited for a home or small business:

  • Permanently-installed 13-20 kW air-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Permanently-installed 25-150 kW liquid-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Heavy-duty, gasoline- or propane-powered 9,500-watt dual fuel portable generators that can provide backup power for a home or small business. 

Cummins: Reliable and Affordable Standby Power Solutions

At Cummins, we build versatile, high-quality standby generators for homes and small businesses. Don’t let their quietness fool you—they’re powerful and reliable. 

When you’re ready to explore your options, you can reach out to request an on-site assessment. One of our authorized dealers will help you assess your needs, evaluate different generator types and capacities, and understand how much a generator might cost to have installed.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

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