Cummins Inc.: Brand Guide for Standby Generator Professionals
Published July 31, 2026 — PES Supply Brand Guides
When reliability is measured in hospitals, data centers, and decades of unbroken field service, Cummins is the brand specifiers reach for. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) is a global power-technology leader with roughly 70,000 employees and annual revenue exceeding $33 billion. While best known for diesel engines and commercial power systems, Cummins is also a top-three player in the North American home standby generator market through its QuietConnect and Onan product lines. This guide covers Cummins generator product lines, 2025–2026 developments, certifications, warranty terms, popular models at PES Supply, technical comparisons, and installation notes.
At PES Supply, we carry Cummins QuietConnect standby generators and Onan portable units among our 50,000+ SKUs from 169 authorized brands. Explore our generators collection and match every unit with a Cummins RA automatic transfer switch.
1. Company Overview
Cummins was founded in 1919 by Clessie Cummins, a mechanic and inventor, alongside banker William G. Irwin in Columbus, Indiana. The company built its early reputation on diesel engine innovation and has grown into one of the world's largest manufacturers of diesel and alternative-fuel engines, power generation systems, and filtration products. Cummins operates through five business segments — Engine, Power Systems, Components, Distribution, and Accelera (new power) — and trades on the NYSE under ticker CMI. Its power generation division, Cummins Power Generation, designs and manufactures generator sets for residential, commercial, industrial, and telecom applications, with manufacturing in the United States and globally.
The Onan brand, acquired by Cummins in 1986, remains the marquee name for recreational vehicle (RV) and portable generators, while the QuietConnect series carries the residential and light-commercial standby line. Cummins serves its standby market through a nationwide network of over 500 certified dealers specializing in home and small-business installations.
2. Current Product Lines
Cummins's standby and portable generator portfolio includes:
- QuietConnect Home Standby (RS Series): The core residential line, available in 13 kW through 150 kW. Air-cooled models (RS13A, RS17A, RS20A, RS20AC) cover 13–20 kW; liquid-cooled models (RS25, RS30, RS35, RS40, RS48, RS55, RS60, RS80, RS100, RS125, RS150) extend to commercial-scale output.
- RA Automatic Transfer Switches: Purpose-built ATS units rated 100A and 200A, certified to CSA C22.2 No. 178 and UL 1008, with total transfer time under 100 milliseconds.
- PowerCommand Control: Cummins's proprietary electronic control platform providing industry-leading self-diagnostics, flexible exercise modes, and remote monitoring.
- Cummins Connect Cloud: Free remote monitoring app for smartphones and tablets, enabling status checks, exercise scheduling, and manual run commands.
- Onan Portable Generators: Inverter portables including the P2500i (2,500 peak / 2,200 running watts) with wireless key-fob remote start, plus larger RV-ready portables.
- Commercial & Industrial Diesel: Diesel generator sets from 10 kW to 2,500+ kW for mission-critical facilities, hospitals, and data centers.
3. Recent Releases (2025–2026)
Cummins continues to refine its QuietConnect line with controller and connectivity updates. In July 2026, Cummins announced a phased Model Year 2027 product launch plan, signaling continued investment across its power generation portfolio and alignment with evolving emissions and efficiency standards ([Cummins Investor Relations](https://investor.cummins.com/news/detail/700/cummins-announces-phased-model-year-2027-product-launch-plan)). The MY2027 rollout reflects Cummins's commitment to its three-year development cadence and ongoing refinement of the QuietConnect platform.
On the residential side, the RS series continues to emphasize quiet operation — air-cooled models run at 65 dB(A) at 23 feet, among the quietest in their class — and cold-weather performance down to 0°F (-18°C) out of the box, with extreme-cold options rated to -40°F. The Cummins Connect Cloud remote monitoring platform remains standard on every QuietConnect unit at no additional cost. Cummins also reported strong Q2 2026 results and increased its quarterly dividend in July 2026, reflecting confidence in demand across its power generation businesses.
4. Certifications & Listings
Cummins QuietConnect generators carry a comprehensive certification profile suited to residential and code-driven commercial installations:
- UL: Tested and certified to current UL standards for stationary generator assemblies.
- EPA: Certified to current EPA emission standards for stationary spark-ignited engines.
- CSA: Certified to CSA standards (C22.2 No. 100) for Canadian installations.
- NFPA 37: Meets the standard permitting installation as close as 18 inches from a building.
- NFPA 110: Capable of meeting NFPA 110 Level 1/Level 2 requirements when equipped with necessary accessories and properly installed — critical for medical and critical-facility applications.
- IBC Seismic: RS25 and larger certified to IBC Seismic standards for structural compliance in seismic zones.
- ASCE 7-10: Enclosures evaluated to withstand 180 mph wind loads.
- ISO 8528: Governor regulation Class G3; voltage regulation ±1.0% no-load to full-load.
- FCC Part 15 Class B: Radio frequency emissions compliance for residential neighborhoods.
5. Warranty Terms
Cummins offers competitive base warranties with notably fewer exclusions than competing brands, plus cost-effective extended coverage:
- Air-cooled RS13A/RS17A/RS20A (Residential): 5-year / 2,000-hour limited warranty. Parts, labor, and travel are covered in years 0–2; parts only in years 3–5.
- Liquid-cooled RS25–RS150: 2-year limited warranty (parts, labor, and travel).
- RA Transfer Switches: 2-year limited warranty.
- Extended Warranty: Fixed-price, fully transferable extended coverage available up to 10 years / 3,000 hours with no deductibles or hidden charges.
- Onan Portables: Consumer application — Year 1: parts and labor; Years 2–3: parts. Commercial application — Year 1: parts and labor.
Cummins's extended warranty program allows contractors to lock in parts, labor, and travel pricing for up to five years through multi-year Planned Maintenance Agreements (PMAs), reducing transaction costs and protecting against inflation.
6. Popular Products at PES Supply
These Cummins models are among the most specified for residential and light-commercial standby at PES Supply:
| Model | Power | Fuel | Sound Level | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS20A | 20 kW | NG / LP | 65 dB(A) @ 23 ft | Starts 5-ton AC; cold to 0°F |
| RS20AC | 20 kW | NG / LP | 65 dB(A) @ 23 ft | Bundled with 200A SE-rated ATS |
| RS25 | 25 kW | NG / LP (field-selectable) | 64 dB(A) @ 23 ft | 1- or 3-phase; 180 mph wind rated |
| RS13A | 13 kW | NG / LP | 65 dB(A) @ 23 ft | Compact entry-level standby |
| Onan P2500i | 2,500 W peak | Gasoline inverter | Quiet inverter | Wireless key-fob remote start |
The RS20A is Cummins's best-selling residential standby — quiet enough for dense neighborhoods and powerful enough to start a 5-ton air conditioner under full pre-load. Pair each generator with a matching Cummins RA transfer switch from our transfer switches collection.
7. Technical Comparison: Cummins vs. Competitors
| Criteria | Cummins QuietConnect | Generac Guardian | Kohler RES | Champion aXis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top air-cooled kW | 20 kW | 28 kW | 26 kW | 22 kW |
| Sound (air-cooled) | 65 dB(A) @ 23 ft | 57–67 dB(A) | ~65 dB(A) | 62–67 dB(A) |
| Standard warranty | 5 yr / 2,000 hr | 5 years | 5 years | 10 years |
| Cold start (out of box) | 0°F (-18°C) | Varies | Varies | -22°F |
| NFPA 110 capable | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
| Remote monitoring | Connect Cloud (free) | Mobile Link (free) | OnCue Plus | Wi-Fi Direct |
Cummins's strengths are its industrial heritage, NFPA 110 capability (critical for medical/commercial sites), exceptional cold-weather starting, and the quietest enclosure in its class. Its top air-cooled output (20 kW) trails Generac's 28 kW and Kohler's 26 kW, but for noise-sensitive and code-driven commercial applications, Cummins is often the preferred specification.
8. Installation Notes
- Sizing: The RS20A starts a 5-ton AC under full pre-load, making it a strong whole-home choice. For 3,500+ sq ft homes or dual-AC loads, step up to the RS25 liquid-cooled. Use our sizing calculator.
- Fuel type: RS25–RS100 are field-selectable between natural gas and liquid propane; smaller air-cooled models are NG/LP configured at install. Verify gas pressure (1.5–3.5 kPa / 6–14 in. H₂O for RS25).
- Transfer switch: Use the matched Cummins RA ATS (100A or 200A), UL 1008 and CSA C22.2 No. 178 certified, with sub-100 ms transfer time. The RS20AC ships generator + 200A ATS in one box for simplified ordering.
- Clearance: NFPA 37 compliance allows installation as close as 18 inches to a building.
- Seismic & wind: RS25+ enclosures are IBC Seismic certified and rated to 180 mph per ASCE 7-10 — important for coastal and high-seismic jurisdictions.
- Electrical: Wire per NEC Article 702 with proper grounding/bonding (Article 250). Add a Type 2 SPD to protect the PowerCommand controller.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cummins generators quieter than Generac?
Cummins QuietConnect air-cooled models run at 65 dB(A) at 23 feet, positioning them among the quietest in their class. Sound attenuation is a Cummins design priority, making the brand popular for noise-sensitive neighborhoods.
Can a Cummins standby run on natural gas and propane?
Yes. RS25–RS100 models are field-selectable between NG and LP vapor. Air-cooled RS13A/RS17A/RS20A are configured for NG or LP at installation. Output is comparable on both fuels for Cummins's naturally aspirated engines.
What is PowerCommand?
PowerCommand is Cummins's proprietary electronic control platform providing self-diagnostics, flexible exercise modes (as little as 2 minutes every 6 months), and remote monitoring via the free Cummins Connect Cloud app.
Does Cummins meet NFPA 110 for critical facilities?
Yes. The RS series is capable of meeting NFPA 110 Level 1 and Level 2 requirements when equipped with the necessary accessories and properly installed — a key advantage for medical, dental, and small-business applications.
How cold can a Cummins generator start?
Standard QuietConnect units start reliably at 0°F (-18°C) out of the box. Extreme-cold-weather options extend reliable starting to -40°F with no additional heater.
10. Shop Cummins at PES Supply
For noise-sensitive residential installations and code-driven commercial standby, Cummins QuietConnect is the professional's choice — engineered, tested, and manufactured in the United States and backed by a 500+ dealer network. PES Supply stocks Cummins generators, RA transfer switches, and accessories to support your specification.
Standard delivery is 7–10 business days nationwide. Every Cummins product ships with full manufacturer warranty and is supported by our technical team.
Ready to spec a Cummins? Browse our full Cummins inventory:
- Shop All Cummins Products
- Standby & Portable Generators
- Transfer Switches
- Surge Protection
- Electrical Accessories
By the PES Supply Editorial Team. Specifications and warranty terms are subject to change — verify current details with our sales team before specification.