Generators have revolutionised the business world, offering more convenient options of power sources for businesses. As tech has improved, more and more options for generators have become available, which makes choosing the right generator challenging. When it comes down to it, you need to choose a generator that’ll manage your business. Here’s how to do it.
1-Consider what you want to power
The first step in getting a generator for your business is knowing exactly what you want to use it for. Will you be needing to power building and large equipment for extended periods, or do you need it to power your stall at the market? Once that’s clear to you, then you can move on to choosing between the different types of generators as you’ll have a good idea of what output you need.
2-Calculate how much power you’ll need
When choosing a generator, the most important factor that needs to be considered is how much power needs to be supplied in order to power all of your appliances. To do this, you need to add up the total power consumption figures for all of the appliances (look in the manuals or on the data plates), which will be in watts. Should the power consumption figures be in amps, it would be ideal to convert them to watts (amps x volts = watts) to help you choose the right-sized generator. It’s also important to note the starting watts of the appliances — which with some appliances you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for.
3-Pair the right generator with your needs by converting kVA to Watts
With regards to the size of the generators, you’ll find that they are given in kVA (kilo-voltamps). To correctly pair it up to your appliance needs, you’ll need to convert this to watts, which you can do by multiplying the kVA by 0.8 to give you the kilowatts.
For example:
15kVA x 0.8 = 12kW (kilowatts) = 12,000 watts
4-Choose the appropriate type of generator for your needs
Once you have a clear idea of what you will be using the generator for, you’ll need to consider which type would best suit your needs. There are a lot more options and subcategories than you’d initially think.
Main types of generators
- Stationary generators – for businesses that need a generator designed to run for longer periods and generate a lot of power for backup and commercial purposes, a stationary generator would be your best choice. These are often diesel-powered and available in 2-phase and 3-phase
- Backup/Trade generators – available in a huge range of different sizes and features, the backup/trade generators are a wonderful option for businesses needing a generator that is big enough to power their operations that require electricity. They are large, heavy and quite loud and are usually either petrol or diesel-powered, but there are some inverter models
- Recreational generators – these generators are perfect for business owners looking for a power source that is smaller, quieter and easier to transport than other types of generators. They’re brilliant for businesses who are doing outdoor events but can also be used for backup and commercial reasons
Subcategories of generators
- Diesel-powered generators – diesel generators are considered to be the most reliable and efficient options, and for this reason, they will typically be found as stationary or backup generators
- Petrol-powered generators – petrol generators are typically lighter, cheaper and quieter than the other types of generators and, therefore, are generally more readily available in different forms like inverters and backup generators
- Inverter generators – this is the ideal type of generator for those who want to run their business in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way. These generators are also incredibly quiet and light and are perfect for running more sensitive equipment like laptops and other devices due to the current wave’s stability. They’re almost always used for recreational generators but can also typically be found as backup generators
- 3-phase generators – These types of generators are typically used for backup and commercial purposes and can be used for businesses that need to power buildings and large equipment. You’ll generally find 3-phase generators in the form of stationary generators
- Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) generators – AVR generators are perfect for those businesses that want a power source but need extra assurance that the generator won’t damage appliances because it prevents spikes in voltage. They’ll generally be used for commercial or backup power solutions.
Specialty generators
Welder generators—This type of generator is a combination of a generator and a welding unit, which makes it useful for welders or businesses that require a welder with its own power source. Yes, it can be used as both.
Tractor pack generators (PTO) are a convenient solution for businesses in rural areas and on-farm sites. As the name suggests, these generators are powered by tractors
5-Consider what extra features you may need
Finally, your business may have specific needs, which means there is a possibility you may need a generator with extra features to suit those needs. Here are some features to look out for on generators that you may find useful:
- Portability so it is convenient to transport
- Warranty for extra security and reliability
- Low noise levels so that it won’t disturb the ongoing operations if you need a quiet space
- Mine spec so that it can meet the safety requirements for working on a mine site
- Residual Current Devices (RCD) to trip the circuit for extra safety
- Transfer switch to minimise the need for extension chords when powering a building
Final Thought
sIn general, diesel generators are usually the go-to for business owners because they tend to cost less in the long run. However, this is generally your medium to larger businesses that need 20kVA or more to run. Smaller businesses could make use of a petrol generator that’s more affordable. Or solar might be an option. Either way, before you buy a generator, make sure that you know what your power needs are and choose one that matches that.