There are quite a number of options for the home owner and business operator when you need to choose a generator: so many, in fact, that it can be quite confusing to those who do not have the knowledge. What type 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 fails in your business? If you don't have much of an understanding of how generators work, you will find it difficult to select one.
What is the best way to choose? Firstly, you should decide for 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 provide more power than you really need. Similarly, if you need to run machinery, a small generator will not be sufficient 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 quite often found in agricultural environments, on construction sites and in factories and warehouses: in fact, anywhere there is a need for a portable and reliable source of energy. This is usually because there is no mains power (for example construction sites) or the power supply cannot always be relied upon (agricultural areas and factories).
When you are deciding upon your generator needs, you have to by necessity choose the most efficient model. The size of the portable generator is indicated by the output and speed provided by the manufacturer: it is usually the case that 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 are best for home use, whereas those with a higher KVA rating are more than ample for the majority of industrial applications.
The efficiency of the model is the first step: however, it is also necessary to calculate the load you need to supply. To do this, you simply have to work out the power demand, whether this be in the home or the business, during normal operating conditions. The amount of power that the generator can provide will indicate to you whether it is sufficient to meet the needs of your home or business: the capacity of the fuel tank only determines the length of time the generator will operate between refueling.It is always a good idea to opt for a generator that provides a slightly higher level of power than you absolutely need, to aid in the reduction of the chance of overloading.
Another factor you may have to consider is the noise level of the petrol generators. Will you need the generator to be run during the night in the home? If this is so, it makes sense to choose a silent diesel generator as the decibel level of these is much lower than traditional diesel generators. It is also a good idea to purchase a silent diesel generator with a big enough fuel tank, to ensure that it runs through the night, thereby avoiding refueling in the middle of the night. The noise level is not such a critical aspect if it is used in an industrial situation, or during the day.
If the generator is to be used only occasionally, it makes sense to buy a good quality second hand generator, as this will cost far less.
Having a generator at hand for emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages, or even when there is no actual mains electricity (camping is one such example) is good idea. However, you have to do your research and carefully choose a generator that will work best when considering your individual needs.
If you would like more help comparing the ideal new petrol generator see our site and download our free guide on generator selection.
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