Only Power. Always Here: Rehlko’s KD SeriesTM Raises the Bar for Backup Power in North America and Across the Globe
Only Power. Always Here: Rehlko’s KD SeriesTM Raises the Bar for Backup Power in North America and Across the Globe
PrintAuthor: Shaun Zeckmeister, Product Manager, Small Diesel, Rehlko
Backup power is no longer optional for critical operations. Power interruptions cost American businesses an estimated $150 billion each year. Add in recent regional outages, such as the 2021 Texas winter freeze that caused up to $130 billion in damages, and the growing financial and operational stakes are clear. As healthcare clinics maintain uptime, small businesses safeguard continuity, and manufacturers protect production lines, the standards for generator reliability and adaptability are rising.
Rehlko has answered that challenge with the expansion of its flagship line, the all-new KD Series 80–600 kW in North America. Built to the same benchmark of quality as the larger KD Series range, the new models bring trusted performance to a wider span of applications and customers. The first available units in this launch will include 10 diesel generator models ranging from 80-300 kW, rated at 60 Hz.
Proven in the Extreme
Reliability starts long before installation. Every KD Series generator undergoes a rigorous, multi-phase validation process that exceeds global standards to ensure consistent, field-ready performance.
Thermal performance validation full and partial loads tests confirm that each generator maintains output even under extreme temperature.
Electrical safety compliance aligns with global and regional standards IEC and UL to guarantee electrical continuity and short-circuit protection for people and property.
ISO 8528-9 vibration and structural integrity testing ensures Rehlko gensets meet strict criteria for long-term mechanical stability. This prevents component fatigue and ensures sustained reliability.
Performance class compliance with ISO 8528-5 (G3 load acceptance) guarantees smooth load absorption and dependable power through transient phases.
In Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa, each KD Series generator undergoes a full-load Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) using calibrated load banks, often with the customer present. Testing verifies performance to ISO 8528-5 (G3) standards, confirming voltage and frequency stability through load-step transitions. All units are functionally checked for control, protection, and alternator performance, with results digitally recorded and a witness report is available upon request.
These tests ensure operational integrity in high-stress environments, from high and low temperatures and altitude zones to high-humidity installations. Rehlko also runs tests to prepare for North America’s many potential extreme weather events. From computational simulation and analysis like finite element analysis (FEA) for high winds, Rehlko products are rigorously tested to ensure they hold up in the worst conditions. This also includes missile impact testing for objects propelled by high winds, triaxial shake-testing for earthquakes and more. Our zero-compromise approach means every unit shipped is field-ready and performance-certified.
Configured Without Compromise
No two installations are the same. Voltage requirements, enclosure types, controllers, and regional codes all vary by site. The KD Series expansion reflects this reality; with thousands of configurations, customers can specify:
Specific voltage and frequency settings at 60 Hz
Open unit, weather or sound-attenuated enclosures
Advanced controllers with remote monitoring capability
Compliance with regional emissions and grid codes (e.g., CE, EPA Tier 3, GCC standards)
Rehlko engineers design each system to align precisely with customer requirements, supported by modular accessories and regional certifications. Whether serving a remote industrial facility or a high-density urban commercial building, the KD Series delivers consistent performance across diverse operating conditions, without loss of quality.
Trusted Quality, Local Expertise
Consistency is a hallmark of the Rehlko brand. Every generator is built to the same exacting standard, regardless of where it is produced. But that global footprint is matched by local responsiveness.
Rehlko teams and distributors span continents, ensuring that installation, service, and parts support are close at hand. For our North American customers, you’ll get generators manufactured and tested domestically, with a North America-based service infrastructure. When you rely on Rehlko, you get the confidence of worldwide engineering strength paired with the reassurance of local expertise — power they can count on both in design and in day-to-day operation.
With more than 220 distributor partners worldwide, customers benefit from the scale of a global OEM and the agility of local service.
Real-World Applications
The KD Series 80–600 kW range is designed with flexibility in mind, making it suitable across a spectrum of industries:
Healthcare facilities: Emergency power that meets stringent regulatory demands.
Manufacturing and utilities: Robust solutions for sites with high load variability.
Commercial facilities: Reliable backup for operations where even minutes of downtime have a cost.
By expanding the KD Series family, Rehlko is bridging a market gap, offering the same flagship reliability in a range that meets more diverse needs.
Proactive Care, Predictable Costs, Proven Performance
Rehlko’s Service Agreement Program, Performance Care 360, delivers OEM-backed generator maintenance designed to maximize uptime and operational efficiency. Certified Rehlko technicians provide proactive, scheduled service using genuine parts and the latest system updates. Customers benefit from faster response times, reduced downtime, and transparent pricing reducing total cost of ownership. Frequent field visits enable Rehlko to gather real-world usage insights, allowing for tailored recommendations and continuous product improvement. This closed feedback loop enhances both equipment performance and customer satisfaction, making the Service Agreement Program a strategic asset for long-term reliability and cost control.
The launch of the KD Series 80–600 kW signals more than a product release. It’s a reaffirmation of Rehlko’s role in shaping the standards of modern backup power: rigorously tested, engineered for flexibility, and supported wherever customers operate.
