Selecting A Generator - Which Will Suit Your Needs?

By Thor Sundstrom

There are many options for the home owner and business operator when the time comes to choose a generator: so many, in fact, that it can be quite problematic to those who do not possess the necessary information. What source of fuel do you prefer - diesel or petrol? Do you need a small "emergency" generator for the home, or one with plenty of power to act as a back up when the mains electricity is not working in your business? If you don't have enough knowledge of how generators work, it could be very hard for you to choose the best one for your needs.

How then, do you make a choice? Firstly, you should make a decision as to what precise purpose you will need the generator, as this will help you to determine the capacity. If you require a generator for home use, it would not make sense to choose a heavy duty industrial generator, as it would provide more power than you really need. As well, if you need to run machinery, a generator with a low output of power will not be enough as it is bound to fail when you need it most.

Both diesel and petrol generators are similar in how they deliver power. Diesel electrical generators are usually found in agricultural environments, on construction sites and in factories and warehouses: in fact, just about any place there is a need for a portable and reliable source of energy. This can be because there is no existing mains power (as with building sites) or the mains power cannot be relied upon (agricultural areas and factories).

When you are deciding upon your generator requirements, you need to choose the most efficient model. The size of the portable generators is determined by the output and speed provided by the manufacturer: it is usually the case that a more powerful generator has a greater output and speed. Most generators can be categorised between an output of 5KVA (kilovolt-ampere units) and 2500KVA. The generators with lower KVAs are suitable for home use, whereas the higher ones are more than adequate for most industrial applications.

The efficiency of the model is the number one step: however, it is also necessary to calculate the load you need to supply. To do this, you merely have to work out the power demand, either for the home or the business, during normal operating conditions. The degree of power that the generator is able to provide will tell you whether it is powerful enough to meet the needs of your home or business: the amount of fuel in the tank only determines how long the generator will operate between refueling.It is always sensible to choose a generator that can provide you with a slightly higher level of power than you absolutely need, to aid in the reduction of the chancepossibility of overloading.

Something else you may need to give some thought to is the noise level of the silent generators. Does the generator need to be run during the night in the home? If so, you should choose a silent diesel generator as the decibel output of these is much lower than traditional diesel generators. It is also a good idea to choose a silent diesel generator with a decent sized fuel tank, to make sure that it runs overnight, so you don't have to be worried about refueling in the middle of the night. The noise output is not such a problem if it is used in an industrial situation, or during the day.

If the generator is to be operated only occasionally, it makes sense to purchase a good quality used generator, as this will save you a good deal of money.

Having a generator avaiable for emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages, or perhaps when there is no existing mains electricity (camping is one such example) is a brilliant idea. However, it pays to do your homework and carefully choose a generator that best suits your individual needs. - 29939

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