SMALL PROJECTS
What should we consider when choosing a generator for our home, vacation home, or any situation where a small amount of backup power is needed?
The generator can be an indispensable helper when electricity is a problem – when it is interrupted, of poor quality, or completely unavailable. A generator can provide you with uninterrupted operation and the necessary comfort in difficult moments when you cannot rely on your usual suppliers, or give you the freedom to carry out your plans where others cannot.
The generator can reserve energy according to your strategy:
- As a backup power source for the most important equipment that must not stop working under any circumstances – security systems, computers, refrigeration units and others.
- As a complete backup power source, guaranteeing the normal operation of the entire site for a certain period of time.
- As the main power source where there is no electricity or for any portable needs.
Steps to make the right choice:
- How will it be used – as a backup power source or as the main energy source: this choice determines not so much the power as other specific qualities.
- If you plan to use the generator as a permanent, primary energy source, special attention should be paid to factors such as tank capacity, ability to operate under continuous load, and specific maintenance after a certain number of operating hours.
- If it will be used as a backup power source, it is important to plan certain details carefully, such as how it will be started – manually or through an automated system, which is especially important if you are away from the site when the power goes out.
- Generator power: after deciding whether it will supply only critical equipment, such as security systems, electricity, computers and other equipment selected by you, or the entire site, it is necessary to make a precise calculation of the required power. This can range from a modest 1 kW to 40 kW, 50 kW and more.
Once you have determined your needs, multiply them by a factor of 1.2 to make sure that the generator has sufficient reserve capacity and does not operate at 100% of its capabilities. This will help in two ways – it will extend its service life and ensure trouble-free operation, while also providing you with some additional energy for extras.
Advice: if the generator will be used at an altitude above 1,000 m, this factor should also be included in the calculation, as the oxygen required for combustion is less readily available. There are tables that allow the necessary correction to be calculated easily. Ask us and we will be happy to help you.
- With mobile generators, power is to some extent limited, usually up to 20 kW, due to the direct correlation between the machine’s power and its weight.
- The generators you may need generally use two types of fuel – diesel and petrol. Both types have their own advantages.
- Connection to the electrical system can be three-phase or single-phase, with the latter usually being used for smaller machines.
There are also several other specific details that can further refine your choice. We hope that what you have read so far has provided you with the main guidelines for choosing a generator – for further details, do not hesitate to contact us!