Experienced Professionals
Experienced Professionals | Generators | Electrical | Monterey
From Cannery Row’s historic canneries to the cutting-edge marine labs on Del Monte Avenue, HEP’s seasoned electricians keep Monterey humming with dependable power solutions. Our specialists design, install, and maintain state-of-the-art generators that stand up to salty air, sudden coastal outages, and the high energy demands of tech-savvy homes and mission-critical facilities alike. Decades of field experience, rigorous safety standards, and a knack for seamless integrations mean you get quiet, efficient backup power without the hassle.
When storms roll in over the bay or PG&E flicks the switch for a planned shutdown, you can count on HEP to answer the call—24/7, 365. We handle everything from load assessments and permitting to remote monitoring, fuel management, and proactive maintenance, so your generators are ready the instant they’re needed. Trust the local team that knows Monterey’s grid quirks inside and out, and enjoy uninterrupted productivity—and peace of mind—every day of the year.
FAQs
What local codes and permitting requirements apply to commercial standby generators in Monterey County, and how do they affect installation timelines?
Any generator over 50 kW installed in Monterey must obtain a building permit from the County Building Services Department, an electrical permit from the local jurisdiction, and an air-quality permit from the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD). In seismic zone 4, OSHPD anchoring rules also apply to health-care facilities. The approval process typically adds 4–6 weeks for plan review and another 2–3 weeks for site inspections, so we recommend submitting stamped drawings and one-line diagrams as early as possible to prevent construction delays.
How do you determine correct generator sizing for critical facilities with variable loads?
We begin with a comprehensive load analysis that captures both running and motor-starting currents using data logging over a seven-day period. The data are imported into sizing software that applies a 0.8 power factor for three-phase loads and considers block-loading. For facilities with large HVAC or medical imaging equipment, we add a 15 % margin to accommodate future expansion. If the load profile is highly variable, we recommend a generator with an electronic governor and kVAR/PF controls or a paralleled set for better load-matching efficiency.
What preventive maintenance schedule do you recommend for prime-power diesel generators operating in the coastal Monterey environment?
Salt-laden air accelerates corrosion, so we follow a quarterly A-Level service (fluid checks, belt inspection, battery specific-gravity test) and an annual B-Level service (oil change, coolant flush, valve lash, radiator cleaning). Fuel polishing is done every six months to prevent microbial growth, and we replace air filters quarterly due to the moist sea air. We also apply a marine-grade anti-corrosion coating to exposed alternator windings every two years.
How does load-bank testing integrate with regular maintenance, and what standards do you follow?
For life-safety and prime-power units we conduct a 2-hour resistive load-bank test at 80 % of nameplate kW annually, in line with NFPA 110 §8.4.2. We combine the test with the yearly B-Level service to minimize downtime. Data on voltage dip, frequency recovery, and exhaust temperatures are captured digitally; any unit that fails to reach rated temperature within 30 minutes is scheduled for additional diagnostics such as injector timing or turbo inspection.
Can multiple generators be paralleled for scalability and redundancy, and what control systems do you deploy?
Yes. We frequently install medium-voltage paralleled systems using ISO 8528-5 compliant governors and DEIF or Woodward synchronizers. The system operates in either isochronous kW-sharing or droop kVAR-sharing mode, allowing N+1 redundancy and incremental capacity additions without shutting down the plant. A tie-breaker with sync-check relay enables closed transition to the utility, minimizing transfer disturbances to sensitive loads.
What strategies are available to mitigate noise and emissions to comply with Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) regulations?
For Tier 4 Final diesel units we integrate SCR catalysts with DEF injection to meet 0.5 g/bhp-hr NOx limits set by MBARD. Acoustically, we specify 25 dB(A) rated critical-grade enclosures and place the radiator discharge away from property lines. Where space is limited, we add hospital-type discharge silencers and vibration-isolating spring mounts. These measures typically reduce overall sound pressure to below the 60 dB(A) at 23 ft evening limit enforced in most Monterey commercial zones.