Cummins Power Generation Inc. has announced a new diesel generator power output ratings category for data center applications. In response to data center customers’ needs for assurance of total reliability and dependability, the Data Center Continuous (DCC) rating offers diesel generator sets rated for unlimited hours of operation, with no restrictions on average variable load factor. DCC ratings will be applicable for any data center installation where a reliable utility exists.

The Data Center Continuous ratings span the range of Cummins Power Generation’s high horsepower diesel generator sets, from 1 MW up to 2.5 MW, and will apply to both 50 Hz and 60 Hz configurations. This introduction is part of Cummins overall focus on data center innovation, marshalling a team of global experts and life cycle support resources specifically for its data center customers.

“Our data center customers have indicated to us there still is confusion around various rating descriptions, guidelines and applications by different manufacturers, making the data center power system design process difficult to navigate,” said Craig Wilkins, director of global critical protection for Cummins Power Generation. “These new ratings will not only simplify the engineering design process, but will make it much easier for those data center customers seeking site certification from the Uptime Institute.”

Consultants and engineers can now design with the confidence that Cummins DCC ratings can be applied up to the specified rating without restrictions on varying or non-varying loads or hours of operation. The new ratings are in addition to the current emergency standby and prime power ratings.

By combining DCC ratings with Cummins’ diesel generators’ time-tested ability to achieve 100 percent load acceptance in one step with best-in-class PowerCommand digital controls, data center customers can be confident they are purchasing power generation systems at the leading edge of reliability and dependability.