Learn in the textbookFacility Management: Power Supply Measures and Energy Saving
DefinitionAn on-site generator (自家発電装置) burns fuel to run an engine or similar machine and make its own electricity, keeping power flowing even through a long outage.
ExplanationIt can keep generating as long as the fuel lasts, but it takes time from start-up until its output stabilizes. If fuel reserves or regular test runs are neglected, it may fail to start when an outage actually happens.
AnalogyPicture a blackout at night: you light up what is in front of you with a flashlight while starting a generator that takes a while to get going. Once it is running, the lights stay on until morning.
Memory hookThe name 自家発電装置 begins with characters meaning "one's own house": you make electricity on your own premises instead of relying on the power company's grid.