When power goes out at an industrial operation—whether it’s a telecommunications facility or a dairy farm—the results can be devastating. More than any other type of operation, industrial facilities and their output can become critically endangered without continuous power. Ensure Uninterrupted Operations with Industrial Backup Power Generators.
If your business relies heavily on electricity, whether you have equipment running round-the-clock or you have daily production processes that require heavy use of electrical power, it's important to have a backup power supply.
Commercial-grade generators are custom built based on your needs, so it’s important to select the right voltage. The selection of the right commercial generator for the job starts with answering a few basic questions:
How will you use the generator?
Will the generator be used for standby purposes only or will the generator be used as a permanent power source for your business? If standby power is only needed, sometimes a cheaper portable power solution can be the answer.
How quiet do you need it to be?
The safety and health of your employees is vital. Exposure to loud noise over extended periods of time can cause permanent hearing damage.
How easy does the transport of the model need to be?
For instance, in looking at portability, many models include standard wheel kits for easy movement of the generator from storage to the work site. Consider the options when selecting the right model for your application.
How much power do you need to do the job?
Remember Ohms Law states:
Watts = Volts × Amps
or
Amps = Watts/Volts
Regarding voltage amount and type refer to the incoming electrical power panel at your business for a guide in selection. Your electrical panel will help you determine your voltage requirements.For many facilities, the electricity enters a building at 120/208 or 277/480 volts into the first electrical panel. Then a step-down transformer can convert the incoming utility voltage into 120/240 or 120/208 volts. A second electrical panel will distribute the electricity throughout the office area. Your best bet is to purchase a generator that matches the incoming utility voltage. This way, you can restore power to both electrical panels.
Also, you can use your company's utility bill as a guide to figure out what your average power consumption is through out the year.
The top advantages of having a generator that uses gasoline is that fueling it is a pretty simple process and there are a lot of budget-friendly gasoline generators. Gasoline is the simplest fuel to obtain, as a trip to the gas station is a routine in most of our lives. While the accessibility of gasoline is usually a benefit, it can also cause a problem if there is a major disaster or other reason for a shortage of gasoline in your area. Other factors to consider about gasoline are that its shelf life is only about a year, it is very flammable, and is the least ideal of the four options in very cold weather.
Propane is a clean-burning fuel that essentially has a limitless shelf life. In general, propane generators have a quieter engine noise, but because their fuel system is more complicated, installation and maintenance costs can be more expensive. When compared to diesel generators, propane generators typically have a higher fuel consumption rate and a shorter life expectancy.
Natural gas generators are recommended due to the fact that natural gas is prevalent, plentiful, and easily obtained.Natural gas is also recommended for frigid areas, as it performs especially well in cold weather.Like propane, however, natural gas has higher fuel consumption rate and engine life expectancy when compared to diesel. Due to its availability, it is a great selection for areas that do tend to have natural disasters; however, this does not apply to earthquake-prone areas, as broken natural gas pipes can cause major issues.
While the pros and cons can be debated and weighed between the fuel types for generators under 150 kW, diesel generators are typically the best price option for generators that produce 150 kW or more of power. Diesel generators are also the least expensive to operate, least flammable, and are the best for long-term usage. Also, diesel, like gasoline, is an easy fuel to obtain. While diesel by itself might not be an ideal fuel for frigid temperatures, using a fuel additive solves that problem. The shelf life for diesel is in the 1.5-2 years range, so it is important that you keep that mind when fueling and maintaining it.
If you are looking for a generator that produces less than 150 kW of power, the differences are not drastic, and you should select a generator that produces an acceptable amount of power for you needs, fits your budget, and uses a fuel that is easily obtained in your area. Overall, there is a clear winner with generators that produce 150 kW or more of power: diesel.
