Ten Considerations To Remember When Buying A Generator For Business

Are you a business owner? Do you have a business that needs electricity running at all times for business continuity? Whether you are into construction, own a resort or a hospital, a powerful backup generator is an indispensable equipment that ensures power supply to your premises at all times. Unlike what the name suggests, a “generator” doesn’t necessarily generate electricity but uses mechanical energy sources like gas, diesel, and petrol to force movement in electric charges present in wirings. 

There are many reasons for a power outage that could be a way out of our control, some of them include, natural calamities like storms, hurricanes, etc. that could completely strip people of their homes and businesses while affecting power supply across the region. Hurricane Sandy, for instance, estimated a $50 billion damage and caused a power cut in 8.5 million homes and businesses. This led to an increased need to move people to an alternative accommodation for which electricity was needed to ensure heating appliances, refrigerators that store food and general lighting worked. In this case, a Whole House Generator would work as the most probable solution with its ability to kick start as soon as a power outage occurs. As a result, people can maintain continuity in their daily lives without interruption at least until the electricity is back!

Invest in continuity

If you are a business that has suffered from a power outage, no matter how short the duration, you’ll know how much can go wrong in that duration. Imagine a whole day where the lights in your industrial manufacturing house start flickering, communications across town go down, production equipment comes to a screeching stop.  All of this adds up to the most important thing- a loss in profits.

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The benefits of a generator to a business are one too many. It’s primary use, of course, is to act as an automatic standby for when there is a power cut. But there are other benefits other than just providing the temporary power supply. Whether it is to keep your business up and running, or code-based life safety, there are different types of generators that can keep the show running mitigating damages. It safeguards your business from an increasing frequency and severity of costly power cuts. 

Considerations to make 

So you’ve made the decision to invest in a generator but are confused with the complex designs and options available? Here are ten considerations to remember when you are looking for a standby generator to support your business continuity:

1. Power requirements What are your businesses’ power requirements? If there were a power outage in your site, should your generator run the whole building or just the allocated emergency load’s? When sizing a generator for a whole building, there are plenty of factors to think of, like, peak hours, amperage of your electrical services, etc. If it was just the emergency loading you are looking to size, it is important to determine emergency circuits. Consider looking at generators on https://www.ablesales.com.au/generators-melbourne.html to get an idea. If it’s a structure you already have in place, you may need the help of an electrician to divide emergency circuits from the main panel into an emergency panel. If you are a homeowner, the decision for a home standby system solely lies on you. However, if it were for a critical application like a hospital or a healthcare facility, certain loads must have an emergency back up to meet compliance. 
2. Fuel type The most common types of fuel used in generators are gas, diesel, and petrol. While each has its own advantages and disadvantages, it is imperative to choose a type that is efficient, cost-effective and easily available. Gasoline is often considered to be the most commonly used fuel type for its easy availability, however, it is increasingly becoming known as a poor choice. This is due to its highly inflammable nature and short shelf life. Cost is another critical deciding factor. Whilst diesel is more expensive than gas, it is more energy-efficient giving more with the amount used. Although not easily available from local utilities, diesel will always be made available as it is heavily used in military operations, trucking industry, farming operations, etc. In addition to this, the type of business can often dictate the type of fuel that needs to be used on site.
3. Installation Ensure the standby generator is installed by a licensed electrician along with a licensed plumber. Generators although simple in its job, installing it to ensure proper functionality can be a task. A licensed professional can ensure the wiring work is in place ensuring the generator is seamlessly functioning.
4. Physical location Allocate a physical location for the generator on your site. Keep in mind that, this place has to be spacious for easy access during repairs or maintenance with optimal ventilation areas.
5. Noise reduction If you plan to install your generator outside, it is worth looking into sound decreasing enclosures often used for industrial-grade generators.
6. Transfer switches Nowadays transfer switches are usually the automatically controlled type. It all depends on the sizing of your generator, going back to the question of, do you want the generator to run the whole building or just emergency loads. Speak with your electrician to understand which type can suit your business needs. 
7. Voltage It is worth checking with your electrician on the voltage information too. Common low voltages are 120/240 volts single phase, 120/208 volts three-phase, 120/240 volts three-phase, and 277/480 volts three-phase.
8. Your specific requirements Depending on your business type and its needs, your generator can cater to these going a step ahead with remote controlling options and data analysis. Industrial systems have a larger number of options available including enclosure lighting, load centers, etc.
9. Warranty As with any product, it’s important to consider the warranty duration and coverage.
10. Maintenance As with any electrical equipment, check who will carry out maintenance for the generator and how often. Investing in the right generator according to your needs, considering the above factors can go a long way during a power outage, be it your home or business.