Many installers don't think about sizing generator protection nearly as much as they

think about the protective arrangements for the conductors the generator supplies. In
terms of electrical design, this is a classic example of ignoring the forest for the trees.
Although we certainly don't want to damage the conductors from overloading, the Code
also requires overload protection for generators. In addition, a large generator represents
a major capital expenditure.
While the NEC requires overload protection of generators, it isn't as straightforward as
using a main output molded case thermomagnetic circuit breaker or set of fuses based on
the wire size. This is very important when either local design constraints or other
standards require selective coordination with downstream protective devices. Selective
coordination means that, even under the worst-case available fault, a fault in a smaller
feeder originating below the level of the main generator protection will do two things.
First, the overcurrent device next upstream will open and clear that fault safely. Second,
all other overcurrent devices further upstream will stay closed, limiting the extent of the
outage as much as possible.
The NEC requires this kind of selective coordination on most elevator feeders in Sec.
620-62. In addition, Sec. 4-5.1 in NFPA 110, Emergency and Standby Power Systems,
requires designers to "optimize selective tripping of the circuit overcurrent protective
devices when a short circuit occurs." The word "optimize" was chos