Critical Backup Power for Aged Care: Genelite’s Solution for an Inner-City Facility

Power outages happen without warning, and critical facilities like aged care centers can’t afford to lose electricity. These facilities rely on consistent, reliable power to support essential medical equipment, heating and cooling systems, and the safety and well-being of their residents. Recently, Genelite had the privilege of supplying a 170kVA Cummins backup generator to an inner-city aged care facility, ensuring uninterrupted power in the event of an outage.

The Importance of Backup Power for Aged Care Facilities

Aged care facilities face unique challenges when it comes to power requirements. With many residents requiring continuous medical care, including life-sustaining equipment like oxygen machines and ventilators, any power failure can pose a serious risk. In addition to medical devices, basic services such as lighting, communication systems, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) must remain operational to maintain a comfortable, safe environment for residents and staff.

This aged care facility was located in a busy inner-city area, making it even more vulnerable to potential power disruptions and requiring a compact, reliable generator set. Urban environments often face infrastructure challenges, and storms or accidents can lead to unexpected power outages. Recognising the critical need for a reliable backup system, the facilities electrical contractor turned to Genelite to ensure their operations could continue seamlessly, even in an emergency.

Why the 170kVA Cummins Generator?

Genuine Cummins generators are well-known for their durability, efficiency, and ability to provide consistent power. The unit was selected specifically for its capacity to handle the facility’s essential electrical load, ensuring that all critical systems and the facilities’ elevators could continue to function during an outage.

The Cummins C170D5 170kVA generator is equipped with several key features that make it ideal for this type of application:

• Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): The ATS ensures a seamless transition between the main power grid and the generator. In the event of a power failure, the ATS automatically switches the power source to the generator, allowing the facility to maintain operations without any manual intervention. This quick response is critical for aged care facilities, where even a few minutes of downtime can have serious consequences.
• Low Noise Levels: Given the inner-city location of the facility, noise was a significant consideration. The Cummins generator features a sound-attenuated and weather-protective enclosure, minimising disruption to residents and the surrounding community.
• Fuel Efficiency and Long Runtime: The generator offers excellent fuel efficiency, reducing operating costs while providing extended power during outages. The fuel consumption of 36 litres per hour (at 100% load) and 448 Litre tank, provides ample time for refuelling, if required. This is particularly important for facilities that may face longer outages due to extreme weather or infrastructure issues.

Seamless Installation and Ongoing Support

The installation of the generator was carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to the facility’s daily operations. Genelite worked closely with the facility’s electrical contractors to deliver the generator swiftly and efficiently.

If you need backup power for an aged care facility or any commercial application, contact us today on 1300 305 912.