Diesel Generators for North America: Engine Options and Selection Factors

Facilities across North America evaluate diesel generators for standby, prime, or continuous power applications, depending on each model’s published rating. Selection should be based on required power output, engine platform, fuel system design, site altitude and ambient temperature, voltage and phase requirements, and the applicable emissions and installation regulations for the region.

MasterAire supplies industrial diesel generators for commercial, institutional, and industrial applications throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including units built on Volvo Penta, Cummins, and Perkins engine platforms. The appropriate engine, capacity, and configuration depend on the facility's load profile, code requirements, and site conditions. Manufacturer documentation should be reviewed for the specific model under consideration.

Diesel Generator Applications Across North America

North American facilities operate under conditions that place particular demands on standby and prime power equipment: seasonal temperature extremes, regional grid reliability differences, altitude variation, and jurisdiction-specific emissions and code requirements. North American facilities may evaluate diesel generator options when one or more of the following conditions apply:

• Utility power interruptions could affect life-safety systems, production continuity, or data integrity

• A facility requires standby power to comply with applicable building, fire, or life-safety codes

• Remote or off-grid operations require prime power generation as the primary electrical source

• Existing generator equipment requires replacement due to age, emissions requirements, or reliability

• Facility expansion has increased the anticipated electrical load beyond existing standby capacity

The applicable standby or prime power rating, not generator category alone, should determine whether a specific unit is suitable for the intended application.

Engine Platform Selection: Volvo Penta, Cummins, and Perkins

Diesel generator sets may use engine platforms from manufacturers such as Volvo Penta, Cummins, and Perkins. However, engine performance, available power, emissions certification, fuel consumption, parts availability, and service support can vary by specific engine model, generator configuration, application, and region.

Engine Selection Guidance

Rather than choosing a generator based solely on whether it uses Volvo Penta, Cummins, or Perkins, compare the specific engine and generator configuration being offered. The most suitable option should meet the required power rating, application duty, emissions requirements, fuel-consumption expectations, and local service and parts requirements.

Always refer to the applicable manufacturer's technical documentation and the generator supplier's specifications before making a final purchasing decision.

Diesel Generator Specifications to Evaluate

Published generator capacity figures should be reviewed alongside the rating conditions under which they apply.

Standby and Prime Power Ratings

Standby ratings generally apply to emergency operation during utility outages, subject to the manufacturer’s annual operating-hour and load limitations. Prime-power ratings generally apply when the generator serves as a primary electrical source under variable load. Permissible operating hours, average load factors, overload capability, and maintenance requirements vary by generator rating and manufacturer. Published documentation should be reviewed for the specific model.

Sizing a Diesel Generator for North American Site Conditions

Required generator capacity depends on connected load, starting requirements for motors and other high-inrush equipment, simultaneous demand, power factor, and an appropriate operating margin. Site conditions specific to North America can also affect available output and should be included in the assessment:

• Altitude: Generator output may be derated at elevations above the manufacturer's baseline rating altitude, which can affect facilities in mountain and high-plains regions.

• Ambient temperature: Extreme heat or cold can affect engine performance, cooling-system requirements, and starting reliability; cold-climate installations may require block heaters or coolant heaters.

• Fuel availability and storage: Regional fuel availability, storage duration, and applicable fire-code requirements can affect tank sizing and fuel-system design.

• Emissions jurisdiction: Applicable federal, state, provincial, and local emissions requirements vary by installation location and should be confirmed for the specific engine and region.

A facility electrical-load assessment should document running load, starting load for the largest motor or combination of simultaneously starting equipment, power factor, voltage and phase requirements, and anticipated future load before a generator is specified.

Request Assistance With Generator Selection

Generator selection should be based on required standby or prime power rating, engine platform, site altitude and ambient conditions, fuel system requirements, and applicable code and emissions requirements. Request a quote for assistance evaluating available MasterAire generator configurations based on the required power rating, engine platform, site conditions, and intended application.

Industrial Applications for Diesel Generators in North America

Depending on model specifications, a diesel generator may be evaluated for the following applications:

• Manufacturing and industrial facilities requiring standby power for production continuity

• Data centers and telecommunications facilities requiring backup power for critical systems

• Healthcare facilities requiring standby power to meet applicable life-safety code requirements

• Construction and remote-site operations requiring prime power as the primary electrical source

• Commercial and institutional buildings requiring standby power for life-safety and emergency systems

• Agricultural and irrigation operations in regions with limited or unreliable grid access

Application suitability depends on the required power rating, runtime profile, applicable code requirements, and site conditions rather than generator category alone.

Total Cost of Ownership Factors

Initial purchase price represents only one part of the lifecycle cost associated with an industrial diesel generator. The following factors should be included in a lifecycle cost evaluation:

• Acquisition and installation: Pricing varies by capacity, engine platform, enclosure, control panel, fuel system, and included equipment.

• Fuel consumption: Fuel use depends on engine platform, load profile, and runtime; published fuel-consumption curves should be reviewed at the facility's expected load.

• Maintenance: Scheduled service intervals, filters, fluids, and parts availability vary by engine platform and should be confirmed with the manufacturer or regional dealer.

• Regulatory compliance: Emissions testing, permitting, and applicable code requirements vary by jurisdiction and may affect installation cost and timeline.

• Reliability and downtime: For life-safety and production-critical applications, the financial impact of a generator failing to start or sustain load should be considered as part of the total cost-of-ownership assessment.

Common Selection Errors

• Selecting equipment primarily on initial purchase price: A lower initial price does not establish the lowest lifecycle cost, particularly where parts and service availability differ by region.

• Sizing without accounting for starting load: Motor-starting and other high-inrush demand can substantially exceed running load and may result in nuisance shutdowns or unsuccessful starts if excluded from the sizing calculation.

• Overlooking site derating factors: Altitude and ambient temperature may reduce available output below the manufacturer's baseline rating.

• Excluding future demand: Facilities planning additional equipment or expansion should document reasonably anticipated loads rather than sizing to current demand alone.

• Assuming uniform emissions requirements: Applicable emissions and permitting requirements vary across federal, state, provincial, and local jurisdictions in North America and should be confirmed for the installation location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be compared when evaluating diesel generators in North America?

Required standby or prime power rating, engine platform, fuel consumption at the expected load, site altitude and ambient conditions, voltage and phase requirements, and applicable regional emissions and code requirements should all be compared. Purchase price alone does not indicate whether a unit will meet application requirements.

What is the difference between Volvo Penta, Cummins, and Perkins generator engines?

The principal differences relate to available capacity range, published performance and emissions data, and regional parts and service network coverage. Each platform is available across standby and prime power applications, and the applicable rating and service availability should be confirmed for the specific model and installation region.

How is a diesel generator sized for a facility? 

Sizing depends on connected running load, starting load for motors and other high-inrush equipment, power factor, voltage and phase requirements, and an appropriate operating margin. Site-specific derating for altitude and ambient temperature should also be included in the assessment.

Does altitude affect diesel generator output in North America?

Generator output may be derated at elevations above the manufacturer's baseline rating altitude. Facilities located at higher elevations should confirm the applicable derating factor with the generator manufacturer before finalizing equipment selection.

What is the difference between a standby-rated and a prime-rated diesel generator? 

A standby-rated generator is designed to supply power during a utility outage, typically under variable load and limited annual runtime. A prime-rated generator is generally intended to serve as a primary electrical source under variable load. Permissible operating hours, average load factor, overload capability, and maintenance requirements should be confirmed in the manufacturer’s documentation for the specific model.

Are diesel generators available in Canada, the United States, and Mexico? 

MasterAire supplies diesel generators for commercial and industrial applications across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Applicable voltage, frequency, emissions, and code requirements vary by country and region and should be confirmed for the installation location.

Conclusion: Select the Generator Based on Site and Application Requirements

An industrial diesel generator should be evaluated according to the facility’s required power rating, engine platform, site conditions, fuel-system requirements, applicable regulations, and total cost of ownership. Volvo Penta, Cummins, and Perkins engine platforms are each available across a range of standby and prime power configurations, subject to the specific model rating and regional availability.

Explore the MasterAire diesel generator collection for commercial and industrial applications, including Volvo Penta engine configurations and Perkins engine configurations. Request a quote for assistance evaluating power ratings, engine platforms, site conditions, and installation requirements.