In the information age, the stable operation of communications networks is crucial. When utility power is interrupted (whether due to a planned outage, natural disaster, or sudden failure), critical facilities such as communication base stations, data centers, and core equipment rooms must have reliable backup power to ensure uninterrupted communication services.
Telecommunications generators are core safety devices designed for this purpose, providing a continuous, stable, and pure power supply for communications infrastructure.
Core Features and Requirements (Different from Traditional Generator Sets)
The communications industry places far higher demands on generator sets than on ordinary backup power sources, primarily in the following ways:
1. Telecommunications generators must possess extremely high reliability and availability:
Quick Startup: After a utility power outage, they must automatically start up and achieve stable output within a very short time (usually within a few seconds to tens of seconds) (usually with an automated transmission system (ATS)).
Stable Operation: They must be capable of long-term continuous operation (up to hundreds of hours) with minimal output frequency and voltage fluctuations, meeting the stringent power quality requirements of precision communications equipment.
Redundancy: At critically important core sites (such as core equipment rooms and data centers), N+1 or N+N parallel redundancy configurations are often used to ensure backup power in the event of a single unit failure.
2. Communications generators offer excellent power quality:
Low harmonic distortion: The output voltage waveform is pure, with a total harmonic distortion rate typically well below 5% or even lower (e.g., 3%) to avoid interference with sensitive communications equipment, servers, and switching power supplies.
Precise voltage and frequency regulation: Minimal voltage fluctuation (e.g., ±0.5Hz) and frequency fluctuation (e.g., 1%) ensure normal equipment operation and data security.
3. Communications generators offer excellent fuel efficiency and long-term operation:
Low fuel consumption design: High-efficiency diesel engines (including common brands such as Perkins, Cummins, Volvo Penta, Deutz, MTU, etc.) are selected, and optimized control systems are used to reduce operating costs.
Large-capacity fuel tank: Standard or optional extra-large base tanks (or external storage tanks) are used to meet the needs of long periods of unattended operation (e.g., 8 hours, 24 hours, or even longer).
Fuel management: Low fuel level alarm and automatic refueling (optional) are provided.
4. Communications generators have strong environmental adaptability:
Wide operating temperature range: They can start reliably and operate normally in both extremely cold (e.g., -255°C or even colder) and extremely cold (e.g., +50°C).
High-altitude performance: Special designs and power adjustments (boost compensation) are implemented for high altitudes (e.g., above 3,000 meters).
Wind and rain protection: Outdoor units must meet high protection levels (e.g., IP23 or higher) to withstand wind and rain.
Corrosion resistance: Surface treatment (spray coating, galvanizing, etc.) should be suitable for harsh environments such as salt spray and humidity (especially in coastal areas).
5. Low-noise operation for communications generators:
Top-notch silent design: The silent enclosure or silent housing utilizes high-efficiency sound-absorbing materials and an optimized structural design to significantly reduce operating noise (typically reducing noise to 65-75 dBA or below at 1 meter from the unit), meeting environmental requirements in sensitive areas such as urban residential areas, schools, and hospitals, and preventing public nuisance complaints.
6. Convenient Intelligent Monitoring and Management for Communications Generators:
Remote Monitoring: Standard RS485/Modbus communication interfaces or Ethernet interfaces facilitate easy integration into the equipment room's power environment monitoring system. Supports remote monitoring of operating status, including voltage, current, frequency, oil pressure, water temperature, speed, oil level, operating hours, and fault alarms, as well as start/stop control and parameter settings.
Local Control Panel: Equipped with a clear, easy-to-read LCD/LED display, it displays key parameters and status and offers manual operation.
Automatic Test Function: Scheduled automatic startup tests (e.g., weekly) ensure the equipment is always in optimal standby condition.
7. Communications Generators Offer Excellent Maintainability and Safety:
Convenient Maintenance Access: The silent enclosure is designed for easy maintenance, with ample maintenance space.
Multiple Safety Protections: Features multiple protections for overspeed, underspeed, high water temperature, low oil pressure, overcurrent, overvoltage, undervoltage, start failure, and abnormal battery voltage, with automatic shutdown alarms.
Safety Standards Compliance: Passes relevant international and domestic safety certifications such as CECE and UL.
Main Application Scenarios
1. Mobile Communication Base Stations: Core backup power supply for macro base stations, micro base stations, and indoor distribution system source stations.
2. Core Communication Equipment Rooms/Exchange Offices: Primary backup power supply for core network nodes.
3. Data Centers/IDC Equipment Rooms: Ensure continuous operation of servers, storage, and network equipment during extended power outages (often forming a three-tier power supply system with a UPS).
4. Long-Distance Transmission Relay Stations/Fiber Optic Cable Relay Stations: Located in remote areas with high risk of unstable utility power or outages, generators are the only reliable backup.
5. Satellite Earth Stations/Microwave Stations: Ensure uninterrupted ground-to-ground communication links.
6. Emergency Communication Vehicles/Shelters: Vehicle-mounted or trailer-mounted units provide mobile, rapidly deployable power supply support.
7. Cable TV Headend Rooms/Sub-Headends: Ensure broadcast and television signal transmission.
Key Selection Considerations
1. Load Power Requirements:
Accurately calculate the maximum continuous operating power (kW/kVA) of all key equipment at the site. Consider startup impact and future expansion requirements, typically allowing a 15%-25% margin.
2. Runtime Requirements:
Determine the maximum required continuous power supply time and determine the fuel tank capacity configuration.
3. Installation Environment:
Location: Indoor (for ventilation and smoke exhaust), outdoor (requires a silent enclosure/box), rooftop (consider load-bearing, windproof, and noise reduction), vehicle-mounted/shelter-mounted integration?
Space: Can it accommodate the unit (including maintenance space), fuel tank, and air intake and exhaust ducts?
Environmental Conditions: Temperature range, altitude, humidity, salt spray, etc.
Noise Limits: Determine the maximum allowable noise level based on local environmental regulations and the surrounding environment.
4. Fuel Type:
Diesel: The most commonly used fuel, with high thermal efficiency, good safety, and easy storage (additives are required for long-term storage). Preferred by the telecommunications industry.
Natural Gas: Cleaner and more environmentally friendly, but requires pipeline supply or LNG/CNG storage facilities. Startup time, power density, and deployment flexibility may be inferior to diesel.
5. Control and Monitoring Requirements:
Is remote monitoring required? How will it be integrated with the existing power and environmental monitoring system? What monitoring parameters and control functions are required? Budget and Lifecycle Cost:
Consider initial purchase cost, installation cost, long-term fuel costs, maintenance costs, and potential noise reduction/construction costs.
6. Brand and Service:
Select reputable and reliable brands (including engines, generators, and controllers). Investigate the manufacturer/supplier's experience in the communications industry, local service network, responsiveness, and spare parts availability.
Summary: Telecommunications generators are the cornerstone of ensuring the "continuous power generation" of network lifelines. Their design, selection, operation, and maintenance must strictly adhere to the high standards and stringent requirements of the communications industry. Dedicated generator sets with superior performance, reliable operation, and intelligent management can effectively mitigate the risk of external power outages, maximizing the continuity and availability of communications services. They are an indispensable and critical component for operators and data center service providers in building high-availability communications infrastructure.
