Patent ID: 8237300

Claim:
A power system, comprising: an engine; a generator mechanically driven by the engine to produce electrical power directed to an external load; a monitoring device configured to monitor a performance of the generator and to generate a signal indicative of the performance; a performance module configured to selectively provide at least one of an alarm and a shutdown command to the engine based on the signal from the monitoring device; and a switching device having at least a first condition and a second condition, wherein: when the first condition of the switching device is active, output from the performance module is overridden; the engine is operated at a reduced speed and load output, and the generator is inhibited from producing electrical power; and when the second condition of the switching device is active, the performance module is allowed to affect operation of the power system, the engine is operated at an elevated speed and load output, and the generator is allowed to produce electrical power directed to the external load.