GENERATOR BLOGS

How do you calculate what size generator do you need?

A power generator is an essential part of any business that needs to be up and running around the clock. The generator should be able to power all of the equipment needed to keep your business open regardless of the weather conditions or natural disasters that might strike. That means you need a commercial diesel generator that can provide enough power for your entire building.

Why Does Proper Generator Sizing Matter in the place first?

An improperly sized diesel generator won’t just leave you with a bill for a piece of equipment you can’t use. It will cause damage to other electrical appliances in your building for which it was not intended. Using an undersized generator for your household or business can result in having to run it longer than needed. That means it will only partially power your electrical equipment, thus causing them to run at higher speeds than usual and shortening their working life. In addition, it could consume more fuel, increase your overall costs, and cause safety hazards like overheating, leading to fire accidents if left unattended.

On the other hand, using a generator that is too large may seem like a good idea at first, but you might find out later that it was a poor choice. This article outlines some valuable factors to consider when deciding what size diesel generator you need.

Evaluate Your Power Requirements

Deciding on the size of a commercial diesel generator is not as simple as choosing one based on how much power you reckon you’ll need. When determining the right size and type of generator for your business needs, several factors must be considered. Based on your business type, the power requirement may vary. So, start by making a list of absolutely essential items that you need to power, including appliances and lights. Once you have the basics covered, add items like TVs and microwaves that aren’t necessary for life safety but would be convenient after a power outage. In addition, ask your diesel generator manufacturer about the machine’s run time and whether they offer a warranty or not.

Different Types of Power Measurement Methods

You can determine what size of commercial generator you need through different methods, such as calculating your power usage, considering the power factor, assessing load capacity, etc.

Power Usage Calculation

To calculate the power that your commercial appliances need, you have to multiply their voltage with amps. After that, you have to multiply it again with the number of hours they will be running. You should do this for all the appliances you want to be powered by the generator. Using a clamp-on ammeter is the most accurate method of getting the real-time measurement and determining how much load you will place on a generator. The best way to use this method is with an appliance that has a motor (such as a refrigerator) because motors fluctuate in their power draw as they cycle on and off. By connecting an ammeter to the appliance and running it for about 15 minutes, you can accurately measure its average load on your generator. This same course of action can be used for other appliances by adding more meters until all appliances needing power are measured. Once the total wattage is calculated, add 25% to account for any fluctuations.

For example:

A refrigerator that runs at 120 V and 2.5 A for 24 hours a day will require 120 x 2.5 x 24 = 7,200 W or 7.2 KW per day.

Evaluate Load Capacity Based on Your Power Consumption History

This method involves looking through your bills from previous months and identifying the highest peak usage for each month. Once you identify the highest consumption point, add 25% for reserve capacity to it.

Calculate Full Load Capacity Based on Motor Usages

If you have extensive motor use or need to add up multiple appliances, it’s easier to calculate the total watts needed by adding up the full load capacity of each item.

Step 1: List the electrical items that run on motors, and you want to power during an outage in order of importance. That may include well pumps, refrigerators, and freezers.

Step 2: Determine how many watts it takes to start the motor(s) on the items from step 1. (Essentially, the starting wattage is 3-5 times the running wattage for most motors.)

Step 3: Add the watts for each item, starting from the largest motor to a small motor and non-motor loads.

Step 4: From there, you will want to divide your total by 1000 to get your kilowatt (kW) requirement and then add 25% of that total value to arrive at your total wattage needs.

Who makes the most reliable standby generator?

If you’re looking for a generator that will be there when you need it, the best option is to go with a standby generator. Standby generators can keep running even if they aren’t receiving power from the grid and are intended for use during emergencies when electric grid outages happen. They’re also quieter than other types of generators and more fuel-efficient. They perform better than generators that use gasoline or kerosene in the long run.

How to Buy the Best Standby Generator

To ensure your standby generator is reliable and durable enough to withstand long-term use, take note of the following factors: warranty protections, fuel efficiency, sound level, and additional features. You may also want to consider how easy it is to install. You could get in touch with Generator specialists at Skyline Power Solution to help you with your buying.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Standby Generator

The steps below will help you find the right standby generator for your home. For each step, you should be able to locate the appropriate product on VIDHATA GROUP website, which is among the best Diesel Generator Manufacturers in India.

Step 1: What fuel source do you need? – Selecting the right fuel source for your generator as per your need, is the foremost step you could take. As we see, a generator’s fuel efficiency depends on two things: the engine design and how efficiently the fuel is being burned. If you intend on using your generator for household use and not commercial purposes such as off-site energy production, it’s better to choose a gasoline or kerosene-burning generator with an electric start capability. It will burn more efficiently and require less maintenance.

However, the best standby generators in Inda, are designed to run on diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels. These natural gases can easily be converted into electricity and provide more power per unit of fuel than gasoline or kerosene-based fuels. At the same time, they’re much cleaner than gasoline or kerosene-based fuels.

A generator that runs on diesel or LPG will function more reliably in the long term and requires less maintenance. Diesel Generators In India contain fewer impurities, allowing engines to operate at temperatures cooler than gasoline-based engines, increasing their lifespan. They also produce less soot, requiring less frequent maintenance. If you plan to buy a generator that runs on gasoline or kerosene, choose one designed to burn these fuels as cleanly as possible. You could consult with experts at Skyline Power Solutions to help you with selecting the right generator for you.

Step 2: Choose a generator size – Standby generators fall into two categories, small and large. To find out which is best for you, check your manufacturer’s listing. Large generators can produce more power, but they can be harder to install than smaller ones. In addition to the size of your existing home’s electrical system, also consider whether you have enough room for the generator near your home’s electric system. Smaller generators are easier to install and require less space, but they’re not necessarily quieter than larger ones. You can always upgrade later if you need more power.

Step 3: Make sure your generator comes with everything you need – A generator should come with a safety switch, fuel line and regulator, wheels, and connecting leads to connect it to the home’s electrical system.

Step 4: Find out how loud your standby generator is – Standby generators vary widely in noise levels, with some coming in at a deafening 100 decibels or more. Loud generators are best for industrial use, but if you want one for household use, make sure to buy one designed to keep noise levels low. It’s essential to find a generator that will not be too loud for you or your neighbors, especially if you live in an apartment or condominium complex.

Although, not all generators are equally loud., you may have to ask the retailer whether your generator is designed to reduce noise levels and whether the noise level is easily adjustable.

Step 5: Find out how easy it is to start up your generator – To find out how easy it is to start your standby generator, ask your manufacturer for a demo of the generator your choose. If you’re trying to use your new generator in an emergency, you need one that can be quickly started at any time without having to wait for the fuel tank to fill. If you want one that’s easy to start up at all times, put a small amount of gas in the tank before buying it.

Step 6: Check if a warranty covers your standby generator – Most standby generators come with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer. After that, you will have to buy any significant components separately, including the engine and wiring harness. The best place for extended coverage is an extended service contract from the manufacturer or a third-party company.

Step 7: Check the accessories that are included. A good standby generator should have all the basic features, such as a transfer switch and wiring harness, so it can easily be connected to your home’s electric grid. You may also want to consider other features like LED lights for viewing gauges and battery chargers.

Step 8: Research the manufacturer of your standby generator – Go online and find out as much as you can on who makes the most reliable standby generator systems in India. This will help you find out if they’re reputable, as well as get some valuable tips on maintenance and operating the generator. If a manufacturer has a lot of satisfied customers on Amazon, that’s usually a good sign. However, some generators are so cheap that customer service has to be outsourced to third-party companies.

Step 9: Check for any recurring maintenance costs – Make sure your standby generator doesn’t require any costly upkeep or annual maintenance fees. Ideally, your generator should come with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer, and then you can get additional service or parts for it on a year-by-year basis.

Generator Safety Tips: Dos & Don’ts You Need to Know

A generator might be your last line of defense for keeping things running when the electricity is out. When dealing with severe weather conditions or a power outage, generators will power your refrigerator, appliances, chargers, and other electrical gadgets.

Most generator use is due to power outages during storms, with power shut-off taking place in seconds. Continue reading below to know more about safety tips regarding the usage of silent diesel generators in India.

The Need for Generators

Most homeowners prefer to have a generator handy in a power outage that lasts longer than an hour or two. However, depending on the nature of the power outage and the company’s utility restoration method, some power outages might linger on for days or weeks together.

Food, vital medical equipment, lights, heaters, AC, fans, chargers, and other essential devices that require power cannot be utilized during lengthier power outages, potentially resulting in dangerous circumstances or property damage.

However, utilizing a generator incorrectly and failing to follow adequate generator safety procedures can result in dangerous scenarios, including injury, property damage, and even death.

The Need for Safety Protocols

Between 2005 and 2016, data reveals about 851 deaths linked to portable home generator incidents. In those occurrences, 82 percent of the victims were over the age of 25, and more than 75% of the victims were men.

Several hundred more events were reported involving property damage or dangerous situations that did not result in death. And these are just the documented ones. That is the reason why the leading diesel generator manufacturers suggest you take adequate safety precautions.

Safety Tips for Portable Generators

Here are some of the tips you must consider following for safety:

  • First, choose the generator that best suits your needs. 
  • Second, consider what all you will be powering at home when selecting a generator. Is it going to be your lighting, appliances, or other home items? 
  • Third, calculate how much power they will use and add it all up. 
  • Finally, finalize a generator that can handle more power than your home’s equipment can handle.

You will risk blowing a fuse on the generator or damaging the connected equipment if your home’s equipment consumes more power than the generator can provide. Get an electrician to figure it out for you if you are unsure how much power you might need.

Properly Store Your Generator

Always keep your generator in a dry, clean, and easily accessible location. You don’t want to be tripping over items in the dark trying to get to it if the power goes out.

Make Use of a Ground Wire

To connect appliances to the generator, use heavy-duty extension cords that are securely grounded. You could get electrocuted if you don’t have adequate grounding.

Examine All of the Cords

Check for frays and exposed wires on all cords that you will plug into the generator. Keep your generator in good working order. If feasible, use new gasoline. Use a fuel stabilizer if a generator will sit for a long time before being used again.

At least once a month, start your generator and let it run for a few minutes. Then, if it has a battery problem, charge it from time to time to keep it ready for use.

If you are looking for a reliable silent generator manufacturer, consider contacting VIDHATA GROUP  at 9837005782.