Caterpillar 1000 kVA generator: the Cat C32, 1010 to 1100 kVA
Caterpillar’s 1000 kVA-class diesel generator is built on one engine, the 32.1-litre V12 C32. Its spec sheets also print how much diesel it burns at four loads. Here is what those numbers mean for your tank, your plant room and your quote.
- Prime · heat exchanger
- 1010
- kVA · 808 ekW · 149.8 L/hr at 75%
- Prime · radiator
- 1100
- kVA · 880 ekW · 164.8 L/hr at 75%
Quick answer
- Caterpillar’s 1000 kVA-class genset is the C32, rated 1010 to 1100 kVA prime at 50 Hz, 1500 rpm.
- Engine: C32 V12, 32.1 litres, 145 mm bore × 162 mm stroke, turbocharged and aftercooled.
- Fuel at 75% load: 149.8 L/hr (1010 kVA) and 164.8 L/hr (1100 kVA), per Cat.
- The 1010 kVA sheet is a heat-exchanger set: it needs at least 1000 L/min of raw water.
- 1010 kVA open set: 4769 × 1902 × 2119 mm, 8880 kg dry, 990 L tank.
- Price, noise and CPCB tier are not published on either Cat sheet.
How much diesel does a Caterpillar 1000 kVA generator use? Pick a load and your hours.
Cat tests both packages at 25, 50, 75 and 100% load. The per-kWh line is the useful one: from half load upwards the C32 stays close to a quarter of a litre per unit, and at 25% it gets noticeably worse. A set that idles at light load most of the day costs more per unit than its size suggests.
- Cat’s figure
- 149.8
- litres an hour at 75% (606 kW)
- Per day
- 1,198
- litres over 8 h
- Per unit
- 0.247
- litres per kWh
- On the base tank
- 6.6
- hours on 990 L
Solid line: the package you picked. Dashed: the other one. Per-day, per-kWh and tank figures are our arithmetic on Cat’s litres an hour; the 1010 kVA is rated without a fan and the 1100 kVA with one, so the two are not a like-for-like contest.
Radiator or heat exchanger: which Cat C32 suits your site?
The two sheets describe the same C32 block cooled two ways. That choice decides your plant room more than the kVA does.
Photo: Caterpillar, from Cat’s LEHE0949 sheet.
1010 kVA · heat exchanger
- No radiator fan. The 808 ekW is measured without one.
- Needs water: at least 1000 L/min of raw water, and a cooling tower sized for 500 kW.
- Air-to-water aftercooler on its own circuit; 330 L of coolant with the heater.
- Hotter exhaust: 498.3 °C at the stack, back pressure up to 10 kPa.
- Built in India (2020 sheet), 415 V.
880
ekW with fan
2883
skVA motor starting
440.6 °C
exhaust stack
1100 kVA · radiator
- Self-contained. The 880 ekW is measured with the radiator fan running.
- No water figures: the sheet lists no raw-water flow or cooling-tower load.
- Stronger motor starting: 2883 skVA at a 30% voltage dip, against 2297 skVA.
- 1588 A output current, alternator frame 1424.
- Built in the U.S. (2016 sheet), 400 V on the technical page.
Cat’s 2017 India sheet lists “radiator or heat exchanger” as standard cooling for the range, so ask which one your quote is for.
What size is the Cat 1010 kVA generator? 4.8 metres of steel on a 1.9-metre base.
Dry weight
8,880 kg
The same cell prints 19,850 lb, which is about 9,004 kg. One of the two is a typo; plan lifting for the heavier figure until the dealer confirms.
We checked the engine
π/4 × 14.5² × 16.2 cm × 12 = 32,101 cc
Cat’s 32.1 L matches its own bore, stroke and twelve cylinders.
What comes standard with the Cat C32 1010 kVA?
Controller
EMCP 4.2 genset controller with emergency stop. EMCP 4.3 and 4.4, load-share and digital I/O modules and remote monitoring software are options.
Alternator
IP23, Class H insulation and temperature rise, AREP excitation, random wound, EM10 integrated voltage regulator and a load acceptance module.
Fuel and exhaust
Primary filter with water separator, secondary filter, priming pump, remote fuel cooler, 990 L tank; dry exhaust manifold, mufflers, stainless flex fitting.
Load acceptance
Cat states the set meets ISO 8528-5 transient response and block loading, conforms to G3 load acceptance, and was prototype-tested with torsional vibration analysis.
24 V
heavy-duty starting, 45 A charging alternator
Bus bar
power termination, right side standard
1,800+
Cat dealer branches in 200 countries (Cat's figure)
Optional: winding and bearing temperature detectors, anti-condensation heater, jacket water heater, heavy-duty air cleaner, remote mounting of the UIP.
What is the Cat 1000 kVA DG set price? Five things to ask before you sign
- 1PriceNone published. Ask for a quote with cooling, panel, breaker, canopy or room work and installation listed separately.
- 2Emission tierNo CPCB tier on either sheet. Cat's nominal emissions are at full load and, by Cat's own note, not comparable with regulations. Ask for the CPCB certificate.
- 3NoiseNo dB(A) figure on either sheet, and no canopy is described. Ask for the enclosure and its test report at 1 metre.
- 4Which sheet is currentThe technical pages are dated 2016 (1100 kVA) and 2020 (1010 kVA). Ask for the current sheet for the exact rating you are quoted.
- 5Weight and voltage8880 kg vs 19,850 lb on one sheet; 415 V on the 2017 cover vs 400 V on its technical page. Get both confirmed in writing.
Is the Cat C32 1010 kVA prime or standby?
1010 kVA sheet (2020)
Prime: output available with varying load for unlimited time, prime power in accordance with ISO 8528, and 10% overload power in accordance with ISO 3046.
1100 kVA sheet (2016)
Prime: unlimited time with varying load, average output 70% of the prime rating, 10% overload for emergency use for up to 1 hour in 12, and no more than 25 hours of overload a year.
Cat C32 1010 kVA and 1100 kVA specifications
| 1010 kVA · LEHE0949-04 | 1100 kVA · EM0745-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ||
| Rating | 1010 kVA / 808 ekW, prime | 1100 kVA / 880 ekW, prime |
| How the ekW is measured | without fan, 0.8 pf | with fan, 0.8 pf |
| Voltage, frequency, speed | 415 V, 50 Hz, 1500 rpm | 400 V, 50 Hz, 1500 rpm |
| Fuel strategy | Low fuel consumption | Low fuel consumption |
| Performance no. / date | EM2186-01 · 29 Apr 2020 | EM0745-01 · 1 Sep 2016 |
| Source country | India | U.S. |
| Engine | ||
| Model | C32 ACERT, V12, 4-stroke, water-cooled | C32, V12, 4-stroke, water-cooled |
| Bore × stroke | 145 × 162 mm | 145 × 162 mm |
| Displacement | 32.1 L | 32.1 L |
| Compression ratio | 15.0:1 | 15.0:1 |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged aftercooled | TA |
| Aftercooler (separate circuit) | Air-to-water | N/A |
| Governor / fuel system | ADEM A4 / MEUI | ADEM A4 / MEUI |
| Fuel consumption | ||
| 100% load | 200.7 L/hr | 220.7 L/hr |
| 75% load | 149.8 L/hr | 164.8 L/hr |
| 50% load | 103.1 L/hr | 116.1 L/hr |
| 25% load | 60 L/hr | 68.7 L/hr |
| Base fuel tank | 990 L | Not stated |
| Cooling, air and exhaust | ||
| Cooling | Package-mounted heat exchanger | Radiator (sheet: radiator or heat exchanger) |
| Engine coolant capacity | 55 L (330 L with heater) | N/A on the sheet |
| Raw water flow, minimum | 1000 L/min | — |
| Heat load for cooling-tower sizing | 500 kW | — |
| Combustion air flow | 62.2 m³/min | 67.9 m³/min |
| Max. combustion air inlet temp. | 49 °C | 49 °C |
| Exhaust stack temperature | 498.3 °C | 440.6 °C |
| Exhaust gas flow | 166.2 m³/min | 170.3 m³/min |
| Max. exhaust back pressure | 10 kPa | 6.7 kPa |
| Heat rejection | ||
| To jacket water | 301 kW | 308 kW |
| To exhaust (total) | 749 kW | 752 kW |
| To aftercooler | 155 kW | 196 kW |
| To atmosphere from engine | 108 kW | 124 kW |
| To atmosphere from generator | 41 kW | 43 kW |
| Alternator | ||
| Motor starting @ 30% voltage dip | 2297 skVA (at 0.4 pf) | 2883 skVA |
| Current | 1407 A | 1588 A |
| Frame size | 1402 | 1424 |
| Excitation / temperature rise | IE / 125 °C | IE / 125 °C |
| Protection and insulation | IP23, Class H, AREP, EM10 regulator | Not stated |
| Package | ||
| Controller | EMCP 4.2, emergency stop | EMCP 4.2 |
| Open set, L × W × H | 4769 × 1902 × 2119 mm | Not stated |
| Dry weight | 8880 kg (sheet also prints 19,850 lb) | Not stated |
| Starting / charging | 24 V starter, 45 A 24 V charging alternator | Battery listed |
| Governing (ISO 8528-5) | G3 load acceptance | Not stated |
| Codes listed | ISO 3046, ISO 8528, IEC 60034-1, IS 4722 | ISO 3046, ISO 8528, IEC 60034-1, UL 2200, NFPA 110 and others |
Values that differ between the two sheets are in bold. “Not stated” means the sheet is silent.
What is the price of a Caterpillar 1000 kVA generator in India?
Caterpillar does not publish a price for its C32 1010 kVA or 1100 kVA generator sets. The final price depends on the cooling (radiator or heat exchanger), the panel and breaker, any canopy or room work, and installation. Ask two or three sellers for a written quote with each item listed separately; GensetPedia can help you get them on WhatsApp or email.
How much diesel does a Caterpillar 1000 kVA generator use?
Caterpillar's sheets give, for the 1010 kVA C32 (heat exchanger): 200.7 L/hr at 100% load, 149.8 L/hr at 75%, 103.1 L/hr at 50% and 60 L/hr at 25%. For the 1100 kVA C32 (radiator): 220.7, 164.8, 116.1 and 68.7 L/hr at the same loads.
Which engine is in the Cat 1010 kVA generator?
A Cat C32 (C32 ACERT on the 2020 sheet): a V12, four-stroke, water-cooled diesel of 32.1 litres, 145 mm bore and 162 mm stroke, turbocharged and aftercooled, with an ADEM A4 governor and MEUI fuel system, running at 1500 rpm.
What is the difference between the Cat C32 1010 kVA and 1100 kVA?
Both are prime ratings on the same 32.1-litre C32 engine. The 1010 kVA (808 ekW) sheet is an India-built, heat-exchanger package rated without a fan and needs at least 1000 litres a minute of raw water. The 1100 kVA (880 ekW) sheet is a U.S.-built radiator package rated with its fan. The 1100 kVA burns 220.7 L/hr at full load against 200.7 L/hr.
How big and heavy is the Cat C32 1010 kVA genset?
Caterpillar gives the 1010 kVA open set as 4769.2 mm long, 1901.6 mm wide and 2119.0 mm high, with a dry weight of 8880 kg. The same table prints 19,850 lb, which is about 9,004 kg, so confirm the weight with the dealer before you plan a crane.
Is the Cat C32 1010 kVA genset CPCB IV+ compliant?
Neither Caterpillar sheet states a CPCB tier. The 2016 sheet lists nominal emissions at 100% load (NOx 3185.5 mg/Nm³, CO 209.4, HC 5.6, PM 11.3) and says itself that these cannot be compared with regulations. Ask the dealer for the CPCB certificate for the exact model before you order.
How long will a 990-litre tank last on a Cat 1010 kVA?
Dividing the 990 L base tank by Caterpillar's figures for the 1010 kVA gives about 4.9 hours at full load, 6.6 hours at 75%, 9.6 hours at 50% and 16.5 hours at 25%. That is our arithmetic on Cat's numbers, not a figure Cat prints.
Compare other sizes on the compare tool, size your load with the load calculator, see the Mahindra Powerol 1010 & 1250 kVA, or browse every brand we track.
Source & disclaimer ›
Caterpillar, “C32 (50 Hz) India Market Only, 1010 to 1100 kVA” (SS-9249201, © 2017, with technical sheet EM0745-01 of 1 Sep 2016) and “C32 ACERT Generator Set” LEHE0949-04 (29 Apr 2020), both linked from the official product page. Published 30 October 2026.
GensetPedia is an independent information platform. It is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by any generator manufacturer. Specifications are compiled from published brochures and public listings for reference only — always verify current specs and pricing with the dealer or manufacturer before purchase.