Caterpillar · Cat 3500 Series (Large Diesel)

Cat 3516B

2000 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

1640-2250 kW diesel generator with Cat 3516B V-16 engine. 69L displacement, EUI fuel system, EMCP 4.2B controller.

Caterpillar Cat 3516B generator — specifications and details
Standby power
2000 kW
Voltage options
277/480V, 2400V, 4160V, 13800V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine
Caterpillar 3516B · 69L
Data CentersHealthcareManufacturingparalleling-arrayCommercialcontinuous-powerprime-power
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Overview#

The Cat 3516B is Caterpillar's 2-megawatt-class diesel generator -- a V-16 platform with 69 liters of displacement that anchors the upper end of the 3500 Series lineup. With a maximum rating of 2250 ekW and a standard standby rating of 2000 ekW (2500 kVA), the 3516B is the go-to choice for large data centers, hospitals, industrial facilities, and any installation requiring 2 MW of backup power from a single unit.

The 3516B uses Electronic Unit Injection (EUI) with the ADEM A3 electronic governor and is available in low, medium, and high voltage configurations from 380V to 13,800V. The EMCP 4.2B controller provides full protective relaying, Modbus RTU communication, Cat Connect remote monitoring, and programmable logic controller (PLC) functionality.

The 2 MW workhorse#

At 2000 ekW standby, the 3516B delivers serious power from a footprint of 234.4 x 90 inches. Two 3516B units in parallel provide 4 MW with N+1 redundancy -- a common configuration for large data centers where minimizing the number of generator sets simplifies switchgear and reduces points of failure.

Key specifications from the OEM spec sheet:

  • Bore x stroke: 170 mm x 190 mm (6.69 in x 7.48 in)
  • Displacement: 69 L (4,210.64 in3)
  • Compression ratio: 14.0:1 (standard) or 15.5:1 (HD)
  • Fuel consumption at full load: 138.4 gal/hr (523.9 L/hr)
  • Dimensions: 234.4 in x 90 in x 94.9 in (L x W x H)
  • Dry weight: 31,270 lbs (14,180 kg)
  • Heat rejection to coolant: 46,520 BTU/min
  • Combustion air flow: 5,802 cfm
  • Motor starting capability: 7,736 skVA at 30% voltage dip
  • Exhaust gas temperature: 957.9 degrees F at full load

Medium and high voltage options#

The 3516B supports low voltage (380-600V), medium voltage (2400V, 4160V), and high voltage (13,800V) alternator configurations. Low voltage uses random-wound or form-wound alternators; medium and high voltage use form-wound with permanent magnet excitation and winding temperature detectors. This voltage flexibility makes the 3516B suitable for campus distribution, utility interconnection, and industrial plants operating at medium voltage.

Our service experience#

The 3516B is the largest single-engine Cat diesel generator commonly found in Northern California installations. At 31,270 lbs and nearly 20 feet long, installation planning requires careful attention to structural loading, rigging access, and exhaust routing. The V-16 configuration means four turbochargers (two per bank) that require balanced inspection and maintenance. Fuel consumption at full load (138.4 gph) demands substantial fuel storage -- a minimum 48-hour fuel supply per NFPA 110 Level 1 requires approximately 6,600 gallons on site. The 3500 Series parts commonality with the 3512B simplifies fleet support for facilities operating both models.

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length
234.4 in
Width
90 in
Height
94.9 in
Dry weight
31,270 lb

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load
138.4 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
102.3 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
70.2 GPH

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

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Contact for Pricing

Houston, TX

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Estimate runtime for the Cat 3516B

Adjust load percent and tank size to estimate runtime. Pre-filled with this model's spec where available.

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Estimated runtime

1.9 hours(0.1 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 106.77 GPH at 75% load. Estimate based on industry-typical 1800 RPM standby curves (≈0.07 GPH/kW at full load). Actual consumption varies by engine, ambient temperature, fuel quality, and tuning.

Service intervals

Manufacturer-recommended intervals for the Cat 3516B under standby duty. Field intervals may differ based on load profile, ambient conditions, and fuel quality.

Oil & filter
Every 500 hours or 12 months
Coolant change
Every 6000 hours
Air filter
Every 1000 hours
Fuel filter
Every 500 hours
Major overhaul
≈ 20,000 hours
Load bank test
Every 12 months

Common failure modes

What we've seen fail on this platform. Use as a service-planning reference, not a diagnostic — actual failure modes depend heavily on duty cycle and maintenance history.

ComponentSymptomTypical hoursSeverity
Fuel quality / degradationInjector fouling, EUI nozzle wear, filter clogging4,380+moderate
Turbocharger(s)Reduced power, oil in intake, turbo noise18,000+severe
Battery bank (24V)Slow crank, failed start8,760+minor
Coolant systemWater pump wear, coolant leaks, thermostat failure12,000+moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the power ratings for the Cat 3516B generator?
The Cat 3516B has a minimum rating of 1640 ekW and a maximum rating of 2250 ekW at 60 Hz / 1800 rpm. The technical spec sheet shows a 2000 ekW (2500 kVA) standby rating at 480V, 0.8 power factor. It supports standby, mission critical, prime, and continuous duty cycles. Voltage options range from 380V to 13,800V.
What engine does the Cat 3516B use?
The 3516B is a 69-liter, V-16, four-stroke turbocharged-aftercooled diesel engine with a 170 mm bore, 190 mm stroke, and compression ratio options of 14.0:1 (standard) or 15.5:1 (HD). It uses Electronic Unit Injection (EUI) and the ADEM A3 electronic governor. The V-16 shares the same bore and stroke as the V-12 3512B, adding four more cylinders for higher output.
What is the fuel consumption of the Cat 3516B?
At the 2000 ekW standby rating (480V, 60 Hz), the 3516B consumes 138.4 gal/hr at 100% load, 102.3 gal/hr at 75% load, 70.2 gal/hr at 50% load, and 40.1 gal/hr at 25% load. Fuel rates are based on No. 2 diesel fuel at 35 degrees API gravity.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Cat 3516B?
The Cat 3516B generator set measures 234.4 inches (5,953 mm) long, 90 inches (2,286 mm) wide, and 94.9 inches (2,410 mm) high. Dry weight is 31,270 lbs (14,180 kg). These are for the open-skid configuration; enclosed packages will be larger and heavier.
How does the 3516B compare to the 3512B?
The 3516B is the V-16 version of the 3512B's V-12, adding four cylinders (69L vs 51.8L) for 2000 kW standby vs the 3512B's 1500 kW. Both use Electronic Unit Injection and the ADEM electronic governor. The 3516B is about one foot longer (234.4 vs 221.9 inches) and 6,180 lbs heavier (31,270 vs 25,090 lbs). They share the same 90-inch width and similar height, so generator rooms designed for the 3512B can often accommodate the 3516B with minimal modifications.

Compatible equipment

Transfer switches

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