What happens to the oxygen generator after 13 minutes?

The oxygen generator is designed with a specific operational time frame in mind, particularly for safety and efficiency reasons. After approximately 13 minutes of operation, the generator ceases to function as part of its built-in design parameters to prevent overheating and ensure safety within the aircraft. This cessation is a crucial aspect of its operation, as allowing it to run indefinitely could lead to system malfunctions or degrade the effectiveness of the oxygen delivery system.

In contrast, other outcomes such as continuous operation indefinitely or reducing pressure do not align with the intended functionality of the generator, as it is not designed to operate endlessly. Likewise, the notion of switching to backup power does not apply here since the oxygen generator itself is a standalone unit that does not transfer to an alternative power source but instead has a fixed operational limit.