What is the Purpose of a Concrete Pad for Generators?
Installing a generator on your property? Don’t let it get stuck in the muck and mire. When your system is securely and correctly mounted on a concrete pad for generators, it’s equipped to offer more years of dependable service.
Learn more about concrete generator pad basics here
Why Should I Use a Concrete Pad for Generator?
Most property owners know that to keep a generator up to code, under warranty, and working properly, it needs to sit up and away from the mud and dirt. Some people might put down a bed of gravel before setting their generator on top, and while this is better than nothing, it’s still not the best solution. Gravel can shift, and since generators weigh more on one end than the other, the unit will eventually settle unevenly and have to be re-leveled. A concrete pad is your best bet for a stable, clean, and high-powered generator system.
Guidelines for Installing a Generator Pad
There are numerous factors you need to consider when installing your generator pad for generator. Please consider the following…
Location considerations
- Load-bearing requirements – be sure you know the weight of the generator, as well as every accessory to it
- Fire codes – local authorities have strict codes controlling the standard of generator set installation
- Water protection – ensure the location is not prone to groundwater flooding
- Positioning – do not place the generator near combustible material
- Access – ensure the generator is easy to access for routine maintenance
- Ventilation and Exhaust – the unit should have sufficient ventilation for combustion and coolant air
- Fuel Systems – the location of the fuel tank needs to be such that every fuel pump works
- Security – minimize public and/or unauthorized access
Mounting surface
- Single Pad – most common mounting arrangement
- Mounting pad weight – should be at least the total weight of the generator set and its mounted accessories
- Mounting pad specifications – standard practice is 2500-3000 psi is for concrete reinforced with eight-gauge wire mesh of #6 reinforcing bars on 12” centers
- Concrete mixture – recommended mixture by volume is given as 1:2:3 parts of cement, sand, and aggregate
Conduit entry
Lastly, when mounting the generator on the concrete pad, provision should be made to receive the electrical conduit. The area where the cables come up through the pad is called the “stub-up.” Ensure the stub-up location is optimally placed to the generator set’s load and control terminal connections.
Contact Woodstock Power for More
If you’d like more information about the purpose of a concrete pad for a generator, or guidelines for installation, the friendly staff at Woodstock Power would be happy to help. Contact us today!