Electrical Power & Standby Generators
Electricity is the principal commodity used by a pump station. Romtec Utilities consults with the power company to ensure that the complete pump station we design and supply will work most efficiently with the power to the site. We consult with local and state agencies to produce the best electrical plan, and we work with the project’s electrical contractor to make sure the electrical equipment, switches and conduit runs are all installed correctly.
In the event that grid power is interrupted, a standby electrical generator is necessary to keep the pump station operating until normal electricity can be restored. This is especially important in a wastewater pump station; in fact, it is usually a requirement of the municipal sewer agency.
Many standby generators use diesel fuel supplied from a fuel tank under the generator. Natural gas and propane are other generator fuels. A permanent, on-site generator is connected to the pump station through an automatic transfer switch. When grid power is lost the ATS begins the generator start-up sequence and switches over to generator power. When normal power is restored the ATS returns to grid power and shuts the generator off. Another important function of the ATS is periodically running the generator in test mode to ensure the generator is always ready to operate when needed.
A portable diesel generator is a useful option. It can be plugged into the pump station control panel to provide standby power when needed. Whenever the pump station is running on normal grid power, the generator can be available for other purposes.
Sound attenuation is an important function of any standby generator. This is especially important in residential and commercial areas. Romtec Utilities offers sound attenuation options with all standby generators. Alternatively, the generator can be housed within a building to reduce the transmission of sound into the surrounding neighborhood.