G83 - who says?

[knighty]

thanks for the reply and the help, that's more information/help than I've found in weeks of googling/reading - at least a good 5 or 6 hours worth a week !

I'm not sure if I'm in a good area for this kind of thing... it's mostly light industrial, lots of garages, wood working places etc..

building was build 40 years ago, the area was all grass back then so I'm assuming the local distribution system has probably been upgraded since then

either way, I'm on a 100amp 3 phase system so I'm assuming my connection to the grid should be fine... and the transformer should be pretty big.

(on a side note, we run from one transformer and the building next door runs from another... during the coal strikes of the 80's and power 3 days a week... we had power one day and next door had it the next!)

if I'm reading this right, that means I can use pretty much any alternator ? because the Generator controllers can handle the tricky bits ?
(with the correct AVR)

now I have a starting point I can start to get things moved along....

but the first thing to do is to get the factory re-wired... it's a bit of a mess right now... my father (just retired) didn't see things like that to be a priority... it's all 'safe and legal' but only because it was set-up 40 years ago... it would never be allowed on a new install !   (could probably get away wihtout doing this for now.... but it needs doing anyway so why not make a good impression!)


once I have that sorted, I'll give the DNO a call, now I know what I'm talking about (with some more googling with your post pointing me in the right direction) - I didn't want call them and sound like a time waster!

thanks again for the help, I owe you a pint !

Alan :-)

[ecogen]

if I'm reading this right, that means I can use pretty much any alternator ? because the Generator controllers can handle the tricky bits ?
(with the correct AVR)
[/quote]

Not just any alternator no. Alternators are a subject in their own right, a number of different designs exist.
If it has slip rings and brushes bin it.
If it is technically suitable to parallel? It's most definitely a “classic” and will be seen by the DNO as very odd indeed. Alarmingly so! New alternators are not a problem because of the wonderful EU Directives. That CE mark means the alternator meets many relevant standards and is declared compliant and safe for purpose. However, your alternator well pre-dates CE marking and current standards, it well be required to demonstrate modern suitability and safety. Areas to consider,
1)Insulation resistance. Insulation degrades over time. Regular on site testing will be required.
2)Distortion and harmonics. On site testing.
3)Radio frequency interference. Fitting of suitable filter.
4)Short circuit characteristics. On site destructive testing a possibility.
5)Manufacturers technical data. Tricky, as not many still alive that are likely to have it.
However if the alternator can be demonstrated as safe and fit for purpose ER G59/1 does not mention a limit on age of machinery. That is not to say that some other regulation does not exist that could deny it's use. If you were tackling this from a restoration perspective, had a nice shiny clean installation, the paper work well presented and correct, as long as the protection is modern CE marked to standards and you have addressed areas of concern, have a recorded maintenance plan in place and keep failure records the DNO should be OK with this. Only my opinion mind.

[edit] This will explain connection process better than me. http://www.energynetworks.org/engineering/pdfs/DG/FES_00318_v040211.pdf