Artesis e-PCM for Diesel Generators: Backup Power Monitoring Without Shaft Sensors

When the grid fails, the diesel generator set (DGS) must start on the first attempt. In practice, backup failure is often discovered only during the outage — too late.

Artesis e-PCM provides continuous online monitoring of the diesel engine and generator without shaft sensors. It analyses three-phase generator output voltage and current to detect mechanical and electrical faults in the prime mover and windings.

Where e-PCM fits on DGS

Site	Why
CHP / boiler plants	Emergency and BOP backup
Oil & gas	Remote pads, compressor stations
Data centres / telecom	Tier III–IV, N+1
Mining	Weak or absent grid
Hospitals, airports	Critical infrastructure

→ Artesis industry map

What e-PCM monitors

Diesel engine

• Main and connecting rod bearing wear
• Rotor imbalance, misalignment with generator
• Fuel system issues (via torque)
• Cooling fan, mounting looseness

Generator

• Stator and rotor winding degradation
• Load asymmetry, harmonics
• Excitation / AVR issues (indirect)

Operating modes

• No-load weekly tests
• Load bank runs
• Extended grid outages

Each mode is compared to a digital twin; drift is tracked weeks to months ahead of failure.

Why not vibration on DGS

Issue	Vibration	e-PCM
Shaft/bearing sensors	Required	Not required
Weekly test only	Sparse data	Every test analysed + trend
Generator electrical faults	Partial	Full
Hazardous DGS room	Complex install	Panel only

For standby equipment, trending every test start matters — e-PCM and Artesis IoT automate that.

Typical failure without monitoring

1. Weekly test — “all fine”.
2. Generator bearing degrades silently.
3. Grid loss → start → trip or no load acceptance.
4. Site outage, penalties, safety risk.

With e-PCM: amber/red weeks ahead → planned bearing change in a maintenance window.

Architecture

DGS → generator output → CTs + voltage → e-PCM → Ethernet/Modbus → SCADA / IoT

Install in generator switchgear — 1–2 hours. Add e-MCM on auxiliary pumps and fans on the same site.

ROI

One failed DGS start at a CHP or refinery can cost tens of millions of tenge in downtime. e-PCM on 4–8 units often pays back on the first prevented failure.

Wind-farm case (same logic): unplanned stops 8/year → 1/year, ROI 14 months — see e-PCM product page.

Pre-purchase checklist

• DGS list with criticality (N, N+1, sole source)
• Panel access for CTs and voltage
• SCADA protocol (Modbus TCP / OPC UA)
• Test-start procedure for baseline
• Alarm review owner

Full site picture

Asset	Product
DGS (engine + generator)	e-PCM
DGS lube/cooling pumps & fans	e-MCM
Fleet route survey	AMT Pro
Centralisation	Artesis IoT

Summary

Artesis e-PCM moves backup DGS from “weekly test and hope” to condition-based care: every start analysed, trends built, failures forecast weeks ahead.

→ e-PCM navigator · Gas turbines · Hydro & steam · Wind · 90-day e-MCM pilot

KEG TRK — official Artesis distributor in Kazakhstan. Request a pilot