When would you perform an emergency shutdown of a generator?

Performing an emergency shutdown of a generator is necessary in situations where there are major issues that pose a risk to safety or operational integrity. This usually occurs when the generator experiences significant faults, such as mechanical failures or critical electrical malfunctions, and the built-in fault detection systems fail to automatically initiate a shutdown. Emergency shutdowns are intended to protect the equipment, the facility, and personnel from harmful consequences of an uncontrolled or malfunctioning generator.

In contrast, scheduled maintenance would require a planned downtime rather than an emergency response, and dealing with minor issues typically allows for continued operation while addressing these problems during routine servicing. Shutting down a generator simply because it is not in use does not qualify as an emergency; this action would be part of standard operational protocols rather than an urgent safety response.