When trying to find the right generator, you probably have many questions. How much does a commercial or industrial generator cost? What specifications do you need for your operations? Navigating our guide to choosing the right generator can help you determine how to select a generator that will fit your requirements and best serve your facility and equipment.
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Whether buying a new generator or looking to rent, you must find the right one for your facility and operations. Some reasons to research and invest in the perfect generator for your needs include:
Every facility has unique needs, from spacing to the equipment you house. Understanding how your location can influence the generator specifications you look at can help guide you toward the right commercial gas generator for your business.
When choosing a generator, find the one that fits your electrical capacity and can support all the equipment you need to power when your main electricity source stops working. Depending on your needs, you might need a generator to power the entire facility or individual rooms and machines. Each facility has unique requirements and power necessities, so it’s essential to know your location’s requirements explicitly before purchasing or renting a generator.
Where you place your generators can affect their functionality and their impact on your personnel and employees. Diesel generators for business use can come in indoor or outdoor models. Outdoor generators are great if you have less internal space to keep them, but you must be careful to get a model that can withstand the elements.
If you choose to place your generator indoors, think about how the noise might affect those working in the building. Loud noises can be a health and safety hazard, causing hearing loss and damage to regular employees working around the noise.
When you have limited space indoors or outdoors, you can choose your preferred location by paralleling several generators. Paralleling generators is grouping more than one generator to create a larger load. For example, you can use three 400 kilowatt generators instead of one 1,200 kilowatt generator.
This practice has multiple benefits for businesses. When it comes to space, it’s often easier to fit multiple smaller generators in one area than one large generator, which is helpful if you have limited space to place the generator where you want. Paralleling can help make emergency generator sizing easier for companies, helping meet your needs better, too.
Your facility’s location will influence how to select the right generator. The weather your geographic region experiences frequently can determine what kind of generator you need. Do you often experience hurricanes or heavy snowstorms?
Intense and recurring weather patterns can cause you to lose power and need more comprehensive generator services that can last longer. Alternatively, frequent thunderstorms or above-ground power lines might require more temporary solutions.
While you have many technical specifications to review, you should also consider the type of generator you’ll want. Depending on your needs and risk type, you can choose between portable and stationary generators.
Portable options allow you to transport your generator to various locations, making it great if you have a lower risk of frequent power outages. Portable generators can be powerful temporary tools, but they typically have lower wattages and can only function for days at most. They’re better for short-term emergencies and maintaining only essential operations. All portable generators require some manual action to start them, so you must be able to reach your facility to turn them on.
Stationary generators are permanent fixtures that can automatically turn on when you lose power. Because you don’t need to move them, they’re often larger and have increased functionality. You can use them to power entire rooms or facilities, making it possible to operate fully even in the face of adverse conditions. These generators are great options if you endure frequent power outages.
While you might have a general idea of your required wattage and power demand, you can better understand your energy needs by calculating the starting and running loads of your equipment. The starting load is the energy required to turn on a piece of equipment, while the running load is the power needed to operate it. Each piece of machinery will have these numbers either on it or in the owner’s manual.
Adding the starting and running loads will tell you the total power requirement for that piece of equipment. Including everything you need protected by your generator in your calculations will help you understand the wattage level the generator should have. Aim for a generator slightly higher than you need — this will help prepare you for unknown situations, like adding or updating equipment or extreme conditions.
When searching for the right commercial gas generator, you can ensure your generator will handle your desired power demand by getting the proper phase type. Generally, generators have two phase types — single- and three-phase. The difference is the number of conductors they have and run energy through. A single-phase generator will have only one conductor, while a three-phase one has three.
Because of the difference in the energy they can manage, the phase types typically relate to their function. Single-phase generators are better for smaller jobs, so you’ll often find them used in homes or as backup generators. Three-phase generators have more commercial and industrial applications because they can handle larger energy loads.
Once you understand what kind of generator you should look for, you just need the right distributor to help connect you with the suitable model.
Thompson Power Systems is a local generator distributor in Alabama and northwest Florida, so we understand the area’s unique needs. We value building strong relationships with the communities and clients we serve to help us improve our services and assist you.
We offer a wide range of diesel generator sets, allowing you to find exactly what you’re looking for, including Cat models. If you only need a temporary solution, you can rent portable generators from us, too.
Choosing an electric generator depends on important factors such as your specific applications, power needs and facility size. With the right generator, you can back up your power supply and keep operations going during outages and emergency situations. Understanding how to choose an industrial generator can help you significantly improve your business.
Are you interested in learning more about Trailer Generator? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
The right generator is essential for your company’s productivity, efficiency and peace of mind. Choosing the right generator is crucial for the following reasons:
A generator is necessary for safety if your facility operates life-sustaining or life-saving equipment. For example, a hospital must keep its medical equipment running for patient health and safety during a power outage. Additionally, your facility requires a generator for safety systems such as fire alarms and emergency lights.
The right generator allows your company to continue operations when it loses power. This backup power supply enables you to improve efficiency by reducing machine downtime and increasing productivity.
Consider the following factors to understand how to choose an electric generator that suits your requirements:
The first step in choosing an industrial generator is determining what type of generator you need.
After determining what type of generator your company needs, you must consider how you intend to use it and how much power you need. If you run a smaller company, a single-phase generator may be sufficient. However, larger companies typically require three-phase generators to support a substantial electrical demand.
Understanding your facility’s electrical systems and their voltage requirements can help you choose the right generator. For example, a single-phase generator produces 240 volts and can power basic electronic systems. A three-phase generator is typically ideal for industrial applications because its voltage supply can support heavy machinery. If your company operates large machines, you most likely require a three-phase generator.
Your facility’s size also plays a role in whether you need a single-phase or three-phase generator. You may choose a single-phase generator to back up a small building on your property, but you most likely require a three-phase generator if you need to power a large facility.
Your available space is another important consideration. Check a generator’s dimensions before ordering it to ensure you have the space to accommodate it. While your industrial operations most likely require a large generator, you must ensure it will fit in the area you plan to install it.
Scheduling a professional sizing evaluation by an experienced electrician is the best way to determine the right size and make an informed decision.
Company expansion is another important factor. Predict or estimate how much your company may grow and how much power you may need before investing in a generator. For example, if you only need to power a couple of machines now but plan to add five heavy machines in the next couple of years, a larger generator is the ideal choice.
In addition to your facility’s size, you must think about several environmental factors to ensure your generator can withstand its surroundings. For example, a generator must be durable enough to handle weather conditions if you plan to install it in an outdoor area where inclement weather is likely. Matching a generator to environmental conditions helps extend its life span and save you money on repairs.
Important environmental points to note include:
Industrial generators use different fuel types. Compare these fuel types to understand how they affect your purchasing decision:
Stationary generators are typically a better choice for industrial facilities than portable generators because they can support higher power requirements. Since a stationary generator remains on site, it can activate at any time, even if no workers are present during an emergency. Stationary generators typically cost more than portable ones, but their capabilities are worth the cost and can help your facility save money on machine downtime.
Choosing a generator from a reputable brand and trustworthy vendor is essential. A quality brand manufactures generators you can depend on, and a trustworthy vendor can ensure you choose the best choice for your company’s needs.
Examining a vendor’s website and customer reviews is an excellent way to determine if they are reliable. An experienced vendor should display professionalism and knowledge about the products they offer. Customer reviews reveal the experience, service and product quality you can expect from a vendor. Additionally, looking at the brands that reputable vendors sell can indicate which ones you should consider purchasing.
While your available finances are an important factor because you want to avoid exceeding your budget, it’s also important to assess how a quality generator can help you save money long term.
Since the right generator can keep your important machines operating during an outage, it can maintain production and help you make your target profits. A well-maintained quality generator that appropriately meets your needs can also last longer than other models, helping you save money on repairs.
Choosing the right type, size and brand of generator for your company is an important decision you should take seriously. Seeking professional assistance with this decision allows you to invest in a generator you can depend on.