Which Generator Will Be Best For Your Requirements?

There are many options for the home owner and business operator when the time comes to choose a generator: so many, in fact, that it can be quite problematic to those who do not possess the necessary information. What source 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, it could be very hard for you to choose the best one for your needs.

What is the best way to choose? To begin with, you should make a decision as to what actual purpose you will need the generator, because with this knowledge you will be able to determine the capacity. If you require a generator for home use, it would not make sense to choose a heavy duty industrial generator, as it would give out more power than you require. Similarly, if your requirement is to run machinery, a generator with a low output of power will not be enough as it is guaranteed to fail when you need it most.

Both diesel and petrol generators are similar in how they deliver power. Diesel electrical generators are most 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 can be because there is no mains power (as with construction sites) or the mains power is unreliable (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 petrol generator is determined by the output and speed as given 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 generators with lower KVAs are best for home use, whereas the higher ones are more than adequate for the majority of industrial applications.

The efficiency of the model is the first step: however, you will also have 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 is capable of providing will tell you whether it is adequate enough to meet the needs of your home or business: the capacity of the fuel tank only determines how long the generator will operate between refueling.It is always wise to choose a generator that provides a little more power than you require, thus reducing the possibility of overloading.

Another factor you may have to consider is the noise level of the silent generators. Will you need to run the generator during the night in the home? If so, you should select a silent diesel generator as the decibel output of these is much less than traditional diesel generators. It is also sensible to opt for a silent diesel generator with a large fuel tank, to ensure that it runs overnight, thereby avoiding refueling in the wee small hours. The decibel level is not such a critical factor if it is used in an industrial situation, or in daylight hours.

If the generator is to be operated only occasionally, it makes sense to look for a good quality used generator, as this will save you a significant amount of money.

Having a generator available for emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages, or even when there is no existing 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.