Patent ID: 8106633

Claim:
A control system for use with a plurality of generator sets, the control system comprising: a bus connected to supply power to an external load; a first discrete signal cable operatively connected to the plurality of generator sets; a second discrete signal cable operatively connected to the plurality of generator sets; a third discrete signal cable operatively connected to the plurality of generator sets; an arbitration relay disposed within the third discrete signal cable and being associated with a first of the plurality of generator sets; a switching device configured to selectively connect the first of the plurality of generator sets to the bus; and a control module connected to the first discrete signal cable, the second discrete signal cable, the third discrete signal cable, the arbitration relay, and the switching device, the control module being configured to: receive a group start signal and initiate startup of the first of the plurality of generator sets; generate a signal on the first discrete signal cable based on an operational status of the first of the plurality of generator sets; determine if the second discrete signal cable is active; activate the second discrete signal cable and the arbitration relay based on the determination; and activate the switching device to connect the first of the plurality of generator sets to the bus based on a status of the arbitration relay.