A power outage is always damaging for your business; orders can’t be fulfilled, security will be down, poorer workplace productivity, and many other negative impacts will occur; which is why a spare generator can never be emphasised enough.
Henceforth, it’s crucial that you select the right generator for your power needs. In addition, it’s important to go for servicing whenever needed, such as generator rewinding, so your equipment is always running at optimal performance.
Though the function of most spare generators is pretty much the same, there are still various factors that separate them from one another. The power type, size, and the duration of power required, among several other aspects, depends based on the size and type of business you have. So, which type of generator do you need? How do you know if it’s the right fit for your business?
We’ve compiled a few questions you should ask yourself before you decide on purchasing a generator.
1. What is the run time?
In the event of emergency situations, a generator will usually have to step in. Consider the amount of power you will have with the selected generator during an emergency. Even though permanent generators can operate round-the-clock, just like any other equipment, these will require downtime to repeatedly cool down and be refuelled.
Also, understand that there isn’t a sole, recommended capacity of fuel to have on hand as every generator makes use of a varying amount. The amount needed will help you make up your mind when picking a generator.
For instance, if you depend on your spare generator to be the main source of power when there’s an outage; get one which operates indefinitely. Ensure that the fuel source is able to support a generator functioning for as long as you need it – it’ll stop operating once there’s no more fuel left.
2. Does it have a huge fuel tank?
In this case, the bigger, the better.
A fuel tank with larger capacity lets you run your generator for a longer period of time in between refuelling. Typically, you’ll find that the majority of generators comprise a fuel tank which provides you with 7 to 9 hours of runtime at a 50% load.
By using a lower percentage of the available power, your generator can function longer; whereas a higher percentage used means, it’ll run shorter. It is highly recommended to go for a larger generator; especially if your business requires a lot of power.
3. Is it able to fulfil your power requirements?
Each generator is able to provide varying electricity output capacities, which has an impact on the number of tools it can power at the same time.
So, before you decide to do your research and analyse the different generators – consider the power requirements needed by factoring in the number of tools running simultaneously and the power requirements of such tools.
In other words, your choice should be based on the amount of power needed on a day-to-day basis so your generator can support these power demands.
4. Does it offer clean, consistent power?
When you have too much power, the equipment may overheat and damage vital parts. At the same time, too little power may mean that your equipment isn’t running at maximum capacity, or your tool may sputter.
What matters here is to find a generator which provides a low total harmonic distortion to keep your machinery protected and make sure it runs at peak efficiency. The best outcome would be to pick a generator with only less than 5% harmonic distortion during operation.
At the end of the day, these are just guidelines to assist you in making the right generator choice. For a smooth start to the selection process, start with these few tips first. Then, slowly narrow down your choices with the help of your trusted, experienced engineer.
Meanwhile, also note that it isn’t enough to just pick the right generator – ensuring its performance and efficiency is always at its best lies in servicing as well. Know when maintenance like generator rewinding or overhauling is needed so you can eliminate all sorts of issues and keep your equipment at its best state of health.