Artesis e-PCM for Diesel Generators: Backup Power Monitoring Without Shaft Sensors
Diesel gensets at CHPs, oil & gas sites and data centres: how e-PCM monitors engine and generator from output current and voltage — early warning before grid failure exposes a dead unit.
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 |
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
- Weekly test — “all fine”.
- Generator bearing degrades silently.
- Grid loss → start → trip or no load acceptance.
- 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
Equipment in this article
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