Generator trips on E-13, load drops, controller indicates overvoltage
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Overvoltage can damage connected equipment. Isolate the generator from the load immediately. Disable automatic start.
- Verify voltage: Use a true-RMS multimeter to confirm the actual line voltage at the generator terminals. Compare with controller readings.
- Inspect AVR wiring: With power off, check the AVR sensing and excitation wiring for loose or mis-landed connections. Correct any wiring errors per the CAT schematic.
- Neutral and ground: Ensure the generator neutral connection is secure and that grounding is per CAT installation instructions. A floating neutral can cause unstable voltage readings.
- Controller settings: Confirm that the controller is configured for the correct nominal voltage and sensing method (3-phase 3-wire/4-wire, etc.).
- Test under no load: After corrections, run the generator without load and monitor voltage stability.
If overvoltage persists, the AVR is likely defective and should be replaced with a CAT-approved unit by a qualified technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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