Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of medium speed engines, as well as one of the world's largest manufacturers of high speed diesel engines, with ratings available from 54 to 13,600 hp (40 to 10,000 kW). Caterpillar is also the world's largest producer of HD natural gas engines.

In 1983 Caterpillar opened the doors of the 1,500,000 sq ft (140 000 sq m) Lafayette, Indiana plant which manufactures the largest engines Caterpillar has ever produced, the 3500 and 3600 Series Diesel Engines. The 3500 Series covers a horsepower range of from 600 hp (448 kW) to 2200 hp (1641 kW), and the 3600 Series goes from 1900 hp (1420 kW) to 7,300 hp (5450 kW). Both diesel and spark ignited versions of each engine family are manufactured at Lafayette. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of gaseous fueled engines. (natural gas, methane, propane etc also referred to as spark ignited engines).

Three basic ratings classes are available. They are defined below.

Standby. The gen set is used as backup to utility power or another primary power source. This rating applies to supplying continuous power, at variable load, in the event of a primary power failure, for as long as primary power is interrupted. No overload is permitted on these ratings.

Prime. The gen set is the primary source of power for the application and is used instead of commercially purchased power. The rating applies to supplying continuous power, at variable load, for unlimited annual hours of operation. A 10 percent power overload is allowed for up to one hour in every 12 hours.

Continuous. The gen set is not the sole or primary power source for the application. However, it is available to supply power continuously at constant load for unlimited annual hours of operation. Continuous power is in accordance with ISO 8528, ISO 3046/1, AS2789, DIN6271, and BS5514.

For more information, see Technical Data on CAT Gensets

 

 

Source: Cat web site 2/02