What generator casualty can result from improper operation and pose a risk to equipment and personnel?

Over-speeding is a generator casualty that can occur from improper operation and poses significant risks to both equipment and personnel. When a generator exceeds its designed speed, the mechanical stresses on components increase dramatically. This can lead to catastrophic failures such as rotor disintegration, which can cause considerable damage to the generator itself and create hazardous debris in the vicinity, potentially injuring personnel.

The over-speed condition can result from various factors including malfunctioning governors, incorrect load management, or human error in operating the generator beyond its specified limits. These failures emphasize the importance of adhering to operational protocols, as the consequences of over-speeding are severe and can include major safety incidents.

In contrast, while under-speeding, power failure, and voltage fluctuations can also create operational challenges and hazards, they do not typically generate the same level of immediate and extreme mechanical risk as over-speeding does. Thus, understanding the mechanics and limits of the generator is crucial to ensuring safe operation and maintenance practices.