16 Jan Key considerations commercial generator replacement

Commercial generators have a wide range of uses. Portable generators are ideal for performing power-hungry industrial works in remote areas, while diesel generators are suitable for powering emergency lighting systems in high-rises. Basically, wherever there is a need for electricity beyond the grid, generators are perfect.

If you are looking to replace your commercial generator for emergency power, the type of commercial generator you need depends two unique requirements. These requirements will govern the size of generator you need. They include:

The appliances you need to power

The appliances you need to power in the event of a power cut will determine the size of generator you need. If you only need to power a few smaller appliances such as a computer, room lighting and fridge, then you could make do with a compact 2.3KW generator. If, however, you need to power industrial machinery on a factory floor, you will need a heavy-duty generator with a 48kW/60kVA output.

Your access to the raw resources needed to create electricity

There are several types of commercial generator to choose from. The most common generators are powered by petrol, diesel or gas (LPG). These have an internal combustion engine that converts motive power into electrical power. Diesel and petrol is easy to buy, relatively affordable, and can be stored in a barrel safely. Diesel is the preferred option. Gas can be safely stored in its cannister up until its use by date.

There are also some secondary considerations to have with a commercial generator:

Noise

Some generators are extremely noisy, producing a sound rating of more than 100dB at 7 metres. Depending on your location, this may not be an option. The good news is that there’s generators available with casings that keep the noise down. A sound rating of 70dB at 7 metres is acceptable for most commercial uses.

ATS compatibility

ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) compatibility is an important feature for a commercial generator, because it means it can be connected to an ATS system so that it automatically kicks in when there’s a power cut. This makes life easier and should you need to shut it off, you’ll be able to do this manually with the turn of a key.