An electric generator is a device that transforms the mechanical energy of a motor into electrical energy. If you run a business, whether it is a set of offices, a store, a factory or an industry, it is important to have this support.
If you run a business, whether it’s a set of offices, a store, a factory or an industry, it’s important to have the security and support of an electric generator . However, choosing it isn’t always easy, as many factors come into play. Today we’re going to resolve all your doubts, so get out your pen and paper!
What is an electric generator?
An electric generator is a device that transforms the mechanical energy of a motor into electrical energy . They are mainly used as a backup in the event of power outages or shortages, or to provide electricity in areas where the general grid does not reach. In addition, there are both portable and industrial types.
Benefits of an electric generator for companies
The latter can benefit companies and industries in several ways. It should be noted that a power outage could significantly compromise business activity , causing material and economic losses and even putting the lives of workers at risk. In this way, these devices provide:
- Security : As we have already mentioned, avoiding power cuts prevents facilities such as machinery or elevators, cameras and alarms from stopping working, for example. This considerably increases security.
- Economic protection : since there are no power interruptions, the work chain does not stop.
- Protection of raw materials : in the case of those businesses that work with refrigerators, for example, it prevents food or medicines from spoiling by stopping the cold chain.
- Efficiency : Since there is no risk of power interruptions, the efficiency of the work chain is not negatively affected.
important note: Need an electrical service upgrade in Newcastle, CA? Get reliable, safe, and efficient upgrades for your home or business. Contact us today!
How to choose the right electric generator for your business?
Before deciding on an electric generator, there are several aspects to consider in order to find the most suitable one for your company or industry:
According to the voltage of the current
Here you can choose between two different models depending on the needs of your business, premises or industry:
- Single-phase (220 volts) : suitable for properties with low or medium energy consumption. That is, those whose electrical demands are not very high.
- Three-phase (220 or 380 volts) : for businesses with higher energy costs or those that have high-power appliances. Similarly, if you need to transport energy over long distances, it is best to opt for a three-phase generator.
According to the quality of energy
According to the quality of energy, generators are divided into:
- AVR generators : have an automatic voltage regulator that regulates the use of electronic devices . The voltage, in turn, is regulated by a capacitor. This achieves a current stabilization with changes of less than 2%.
- Inverter generators : with a more regular voltage modulation. The voltage they achieve is very similar to that of the general energy network, making the motor work according to demand. This means that consumption when not in use drops considerably.
According to the fuel
This depends directly on the size of your business and its needs. Electric generators with low or medium loads can run on gas, petrol or diesel . The latter is the most economical, while petrol is suitable for periods of time between 4 and 6 hours. Gas generators, on the other hand, do not emit any noise.
According to the power
The ideal power of a generator depends on the needs of each business . In general, you can find them in 2,500 W, 3,000 W, 4,500 W, 6,000 W and 10,000 W. If you want to calculate which one is perfect for you, you can add the power of the receivers that you are going to connect simultaneously to the generator.
According to the noise level
Here you can choose between 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines . Two-stroke engines are more economical, as they consume less fuel. On the other hand, they make much more noise. On the other hand, four-stroke engines are quieter and have a longer lifespan, but they are more expensive.
According to the start
The generators can be started:
- Manual : This is usually present in the less powerful ones, as it is also the most economical of all. Despite this, it is the most complicated.
- Automatic : Generators with this start-up are also called standby generators . They work automatically. That is, if the system detects a power interruption, a circuit starts the generator and transfers electricity to it.
- Remote : As their name suggests, they can be started remotely or remotely. They stand out for their convenience compared to manual ones.
According to the specific needs of the business
You also can’t lose sight of the specific needs of your business . For example, the type of autonomy you need, the space you have to place it, the dimensions you can afford, the weight … once you have this clear, it’s time to look for the model that best suits it in relation to the characteristics already described.
Nominal power of the group, take into account how many appliances you connect!
The nominal power is the one that refers to the maximum power required by a device or group of devices working at the same time and connected, in this case, to a generator. For this reason, it is important that you keep in mind the amount of machinery that you are going to connect at the same time. Likewise, you must take into account the types of devices :
- Resistance equipment : or those that consume active power , such as lamps or heating. In this case, the starting power is the same as its nominal power.
- Induction equipment : devices that operate using an electric motor , such as drills or compressors. In order to operate, they need a power that is double or quadruple their nominal power. If your equipment is of this type, you will have to multiply its power by its starting coefficient to determine the ideal generator for your business.
important note: Looking for emergency generator installation in Sacramento, CA? Get reliable backup power for your home or business. Contact us for expert service!
Machinery with high consumption when starting
As we mentioned, there are a number of devices and machines that can require twice as much power as their nominal power to start up , or even four or six times as much. For example, circular saws, air conditioning systems, drills, compressors or electric pumps, among others. It is very important that if you have this type of machine you take this into account, since you must multiply its power by its starting coefficient, and then add it all up.
Practical example for a restaurant
Imagine that you have a restaurant and you need to install a generator , but you don’t know which one would be the most suitable. How can you determine this? Well, first of all, you have to take into account the characteristics of the restaurant: is it big or small? Do you have many appliances? An air conditioning system?
In this case, let’s say that your restaurant is medium-sized. Since it has appliances, lighting, heating or air conditioning, and a security system, among other things, it is most likely that in this case you will need an inverter generator . Since you do not work with industrial machinery, most of your appliances will be resistance and not induction, except for, for example, refrigerators.
Imagine that, once the powers are added together, with their respective calculations regarding the induction powers, you get a total of about 150 kW. In this case, a three-phase diesel generator of a maximum of 160 kW would be perfect for you.
Maintenance of electric generators
It is very important that you do not lose sight of the preventive maintenance of your electric generator, since only in this way will you avoid future problems and extend its useful life. In addition, you will also ensure that in the event of power outages your business will not suffer any inconvenience. Correct preventive maintenance of an electric generator would involve:
- External and internal cleaning .
- Checking ventilation and system heating .
- Check for strange noises or vibrations.
- Checking the load with a measuring system.
- Conditions of the brushes .
- Rotor balance status .
- Lubrication check .
- Checking insulation and grounding.
- Checking the connections and the surface of the collector.
In any case, we recommend that you hire a specialist technician for proper periodic maintenance. Only then will you be sure that everything is working properly.
At Total Energies we offer you the best energy rate for your company , 100% adapted to its needs and yours. Do not hesitate to contact our expert team if you want more information. We look forward to hearing from you!
