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Service

Generator Installation in South Africa

AGP Generators installs diesel and petrol generator sets across South Africa to SANS 10142-1, the national standard for electrical installations in buildings. Work covers site assessment, concrete slab, ventilation, exhaust routing, interlocked changeover, cable sizing, earthing and bonding, then a commissioning load test. A registered person issues a Certificate of Compliance on handover so the installation is insurable and legally documented.

What is included

  • Site assessment and load survey
  • Concrete plinth or slab design
  • Ventilation and air-change calculation
  • Exhaust routing and termination height
  • Interlocked changeover device
  • Cable sizing, routing and terminations
  • Earthing and bonding to SANS 10142-1
  • Commissioning and load test
  • Certificate of Compliance on handover
  • Operator handover briefing

How we work

  1. 1

    Site assessment

    An engineer visits to confirm generator location, slab loading, ventilation paths, exhaust discharge height and the cable route back to the changeover point.

  2. 2

    Civil and mechanical preparation

    The concrete slab is cast to suit set weight and anti-vibration mounts, while fuel lines and bulk tank connections are prepared to local fire rules.

  3. 3

    Electrical installation

    The changeover device is fitted and interlocked, cables are sized and pulled, and earthing and bonding are completed to SANS 10142-1.

  4. 4

    Commissioning and load test

    The set is started, protection is tested, then a resistive or real load test confirms voltage, frequency and step-load behaviour under recorded conditions.

  5. 5

    Handover and CoC

    A registered person issues the Certificate of Compliance, full documentation is handed over, and operators are briefed on daily checks and emergency stops.

Compliance and the Certificate of Compliance

SANS 10142-1 is the South African national standard for the wiring of premises and covers low-voltage electrical installations in all buildings. A generator that is connected to a building installation falls squarely within its scope, which is why AGP Generators treats compliance as the starting point of an installation, not an optional extra.

Only a registered person may issue a Certificate of Compliance. In terms of the Electrical Installation Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, a registered person means a master installation electrician, an installation electrician, or an electrical tester for single phase. AGP uses appropriately registered persons to issue the CoC so the document is valid and enforceable.

An installation without a valid Certificate of Compliance can void an insurance claim arising from a generator-related fire or shock. Insurers routinely request the CoC when a loss event involves electrical origin, and a missing or non-compliant certificate gives them grounds to decline the claim. The CoC is therefore a financial document as much as a technical one.

AGP hands over the completed CoC with the commissioning records, single-line suggestion, test results and operating data so the file is ready for insurer, landlord and auditor review on the day the set goes live.

The changeover device and interlock

The changeover device must disconnect the mains supply before connecting the generator, and it must be mechanically and electrically interlocked so that the mains and the generator can never be live simultaneously. This is not a convenience feature; it is a safety requirement.

The risk being controlled is backfeed onto the municipal network. Without a positive interlock, a generator left connected can energise the street feeder that line workers believe is dead. Backfeed onto the municipal network is lethal to line workers and is one of the most serious faults an installation can carry.

AGP fits changeover devices rated for the full load current, verifies the interlock physically during commissioning, and records the test. Whether the device is a manual double-throw switch or an automatic transfer switch, the no-simultaneous-live rule is the same.

Ventilation, exhaust and earthing

Combustion air, cooling air and room air changes are calculated against the set heat rejection so the canopy does not recirculate hot air and trip on high coolant temperature. Exhaust routing keeps back-pressure within engine limits and terminates above roof lines clear of intakes and windows.

Earthing and bonding tie the generator frame, neutral and installation earth into a single reference so fault current has a reliable path and touch voltages stay within safe limits. These details are what separate a compliant install from a set that merely runs.

What it costs

Pricing for installation & commissioning depends on the factors below. We quote in writing so the full cost is visible before any work starts.

  • Concrete slab and civil works
  • Cable run length and conductor size
  • Changeover device type (manual switch vs automatic transfer)
  • Generator kVA and physical weight
  • Distance from the AGP depot to site
  • Bulk fuel tank integration
  • Load bank hire for commissioning test

Sectors we serve

Healthcare and hospitalsMining and quarryingManufacturing and industrialRetail and shopping centresResidential estatesHospitality and lodgesAgriculture and irrigationData centres and telecoms

This service supports operations across: mining and quarrying power solutions, healthcare and hospitals power solutions and manufacturing and industrial power solutions.

It applies to these generator ranges: diesel generators, silent diesel generators, standby generators, 10 kVA generators, 150 kVA generators and 1000 kVA generators.

Installation & Commissioning FAQs

SANS 10142-1, the national standard for the wiring of premises. It covers low-voltage electrical installations in all buildings, including the connection of a generator to a building installation.

Only a registered person: a master installation electrician, an installation electrician, or an electrical tester for single phase. AGP uses appropriately registered persons so the CoC is valid.

So the mains and generator can never be live at the same time. Without a positive interlock a generator can backfeed onto the municipal network, which is lethal to line workers working on a feeder they believe is dead.

Yes. An installation without a valid Certificate of Compliance can void an insurance claim arising from a generator-related fire or shock, because insurers request the CoC when a loss involves electrical origin.

Yes. The set is started, protection is tested, and a resistive or real load test confirms voltage, frequency and step-load behaviour. Results are recorded and handed over with the CoC.

Yes. Distance from the depot to site is quoted explicitly so the full installed cost is visible, including travel, craneage and first fuel fill where applicable.

Book Installation & Commissioning

Tell us about your site and requirement. We respond within one business day on standard lines; for a breakdown call the 24/7 line now.

Tell us your load. We will size it, spec it and price it.

Share your site, duty cycle and critical loads — our engineers return a clear kVA recommendation, bill of materials and fixed quote.

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