How To Select A Generator Which Will Suit Your Needs?
There are quite a number of options for the home owner and business operator when the time comes to choose a generator: so many, actually, that it can be quite confusing to the uninitiated. What source of fuel do you prefer - diesel or petrol? Do you need a small "emergency" generator for the home, or one with a great amount of power to act as a back up when the mains electricity is not available to your business? If you don't have much knowledge as to how generators work, you will find it difficult to choose.
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 be a good idea to choose a heavy duty industrial generator, as it would give out more power than you require. As well, if your requirement is to run machinery, a small generator will not be enough as it is likely to fail when you need it most.
Both diesel and petrol generators are similar in how they deliver power. Diesel electrical generators are most often found in agricultural environments, on construction sites and in factories and warehouses: in fact, just about any place there is a requirement for a portable and reliable source of energy. This can be because there is no mains power (as with construction sites) or the mains power is unreliable (agricultural areas and factories).
When you are working out your generator requirements, you need to choose the most efficient model. The size of the diesel generator is indicated by the output and speed provided by the manufacturer: usually, a more powerful generator has a higher output and speed. Most generators fall between an output of 5KVA (kilovolt-ampere units) and 2500KVA. The lower KVA generators can be used in the home, whereas the more powerful ones provide more than enough power for most industrial applications.
Choosing the efficiency of the model is the first step: however, you will also have to calculate the load you have to supply. To do this, you simply have to calculate 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 indicate to you whether it is sufficient to meet the needs of your home or business: the amount of fuel in the tank only determines the length of time the generator will operate between refueling.It is always sensible to opt for a generator that can provide you with a slightly higher level of power than you require, to aid in the reduction of the chance of overloading.
Another factor you may have to consider is the noise level of the silent generator. Will you need to run the generator during the night in the home? If so, you should choose a silent diesel generator as the noise output of these is much less than traditional diesel generators. It is also a good idea to opt for a silent diesel generator with a large fuel tank, to guarantee that it runs overnight, thereby avoiding refueling in the middle of the night. The noise output is not such a critical factor if it is used in an industrial situation, or during the day.
For generators that will be used infrequently, it makes sense to choose a good quality used generator, as this will save you a good deal of money.
Having a generator at hand for emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages, or even when there is no electricity supply available (camping is one such example) is a great idea. However, it pays to do your homework and carefully choose a generator that best suits your individual requirements. |
