Essential Portable Generator Facts

A portable generator is an essential appliance in both homes and business establishments. This serves as a source of temporary power supply when engaging in an activity in remote locations and when there is power interruption.

Generators are basically categorized into two designs, standby generators and portable generators. All of them have two important components namely, the motor and the generator head. The motor is the component which enables this appliance to burn fuel using diesel, gasoline, propane or natural gas in order to provide power. The generator head, on the other hand, converts this power into electricity.

Standby generators are very handy, especially when providing back-up to power failures. Many businesses use these generators as permanent sources of emergency power supply and even have these integrated to their electrical connection. The portable type of generators, meanwhile, are very useful as power sources in locations where there is no established electrical system, like construction sites and remote locations. Compared to standby generators, these portable equipment are less costly and smaller. These generally have built-in and specially designed fuel tanks for them to be useable virtually anywhere.

Both portable and standby generator types can run on different fuel types. Some modern versions of these generators, in fact, have tri-fuel and dual fuel configurations to make them compatible with different types of fuel. Generators can run on diesel, natural gas or propane, and gasoline. Diesel is the most popular among fuel types and is the most widely-used for large industrial generators. Some generators also run on natural gas and propane, but its usage is dependent on its availability in a given area.

Among all fuel types, gasoline is most often used to power portable type of generators. Experts, however, recommend that consumers buy a portable type of generator that runs on natural gas or propane, as emergency power generator as gasoline cannot be stored for a long period of time.

When planning to buy a generator, it is very important for a consumer to consider such factors as generator voltage and generator wattage. It is very important that a generator voltage should match the voltage that is being used in a business or at home. Voltage refers to the amount of an electric current pressure. The standard current utilized in US households is 120 volts, single phase. Business establishments typically use 120/240 voltage service. Generator wattage, on the other hand, refers to the measure of electrical volume that a generator creates.

Wattage requirement usually increases as the number of appliances that depends on a generator also increases. Small generators are capable of producing 800 watts while some industrial generators can produce up to 500,000 watts. It is very important to determine the exact power requirements of the devices that will be supported by a generator. Determining the wattage of these devices can be determined by the consumer or a qualified electrician. After having purchased the ideal generator for one’s use, the appliance should be installed properly. Moreover, the user manual of this appliance needs to be read carefully in order to guarantee safe use.