The importance of a dependable backup power generator cannot be overstated for businesses across industries. After all, the last thing you want is for power supply disruptions to wreak havoc on your critical operations. A standby generator can offer an essential element of power protection, minimizing downtime and ensuring everything continues running smoothly during a power outage.
However, selecting an effective backup power generator involves multiple considerations, from determining the right size and power capacity to its maintenance. To ensure you make an informed decision, let us outline the essential factors to consider when choosing a power generator that meets your needs and requirements.
1.Factor #1: Reliability Of The Power Grid
Before investing in a power generator, consider the reliability of your local power grid. Is the area prone to frequent outages or severe weather conditions that may require a more robust and reliable backup solution? This information is pivotal in determining the capacity your generator needs.
For example, Singapore’s power grid is generally more reliable in the Southeast Asia region. As a result, a capacity base tank of around 12 hours may suffice for businesses operating in the country. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, where the power grid is less stable, you may require a backup generator with a capacity base tank of around 24 to 48 hours.
Factor #2: Sizing And Load Capacity
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when determining the specific power needs of your backup generator, as requirements vary across businesses and industries. Therefore, consideration must be given to all types of load and how they are applied to the generator. For instance, you will need to consider the following:
- Sensitive Load
- Cooling Load
- Impact Load
- Variable load
In particular, you should pay attention to the impact load of the generator, which indicates the power it can take immediately in one hit. The last thing you want is to overload the generator and cause long-term damage to your equipment. That is where modular UPS (uninterrupted power supply) comes in handy as it allows the UPS load to be applied in manageable steps.
We recommend consulting a professional and conducting an onsite assessment to evaluate your power demands and determine the ideal size and type of your generator. This way, you can avoid the pitfalls of under-sizing (which can overload the generator) or over-sizing (which can be unnecessarily expensive). Meanwhile, depending on your power needs, you may require a sufficiently large, enclosed space to stow your equipment, as a higher-capacity power generator will be larger in size.
Factor #3: Automatic Mains Failure
The Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) system is essential in detecting power grid failure and initiating the power generator. Upon identifying a power outage, the AMF will kickstart the generator, ensuring it continues operating until the primary power supply is restored.
When selecting your power generator, you should ensure it features a reliable AMF system with a short timeframe to prevent disruptions to your operation, particularly for critical applications where even minimal downtime can cause significant issues.
The ideal timeframe is generally 10 seconds after power failure and 2 to 3 minutes after the primary power supply resumes. The time delays exist to prevent the power generator from stopping and starting due to short-term power fluctuations.
Factor #4: Noise Attenuation
During operation, power generators circulate air to keep cool – this air movement can be noisy, which may be a concern in noise-sensitive environments like hospitals. So, if noise is a concern for your business, consider a generator with noise attenuation features to reduce its sound output.
However, while these features can significantly reduce the noise level, they will add additional cost and space requirements. Meanwhile, the exhaust will require a silencer to minimise the sound from the engine. These silencers and exhaust pipes need careful design when installed in a building. These are all essential factors to consider before purchasing and installing your power generator.
Factor #5: Vibration Isolation
The engine of any power generator will produce vibration when it is switched on. If not adequately isolated during installation (lacking a spring or rubber-isolation mount), the significant vibrations may weaken the structure of the building and cause damage over time, especially if the equipment is not installed on the ground level.
Remember to install anti-vibration mounts (AVMs) on all engines to reduce the vibration and noise in the building or enclosure. We recommend investing in a spring-isolation mount to minimise vibration and achieve the best result. Another excellent way to lower vibration and noise is to install a quality, flexible St Steel exhaust system.
Factor #6: Fuel Storage
What is the runtime required for your application? The answer will impact the amount of fuel you need to keep for storage. Alternatively, you can consider having a refuelling contract in place to ensure your power generator can continue operating indefinitely without worrying about running out of fuel.
However, it is recommended to implement a fuel polishing system for fuel used for standby applications. That keeps the equipment clean of any contaminates that may prevent the engine from starting when required.
In addition, the positioning of your generator and fuel tanks requires careful deliberation due to regulations surrounding fuel storage within buildings. The guidelines may vary based on the country, so check on this beforehand.
Factor #7: Maintenance
Like all machines, the reliability of your backup generator hinges on regular maintenance. You will also need to start and test your generator’s load regularly, ideally monthly. Essential components, like the AMF system and changeover switch, also require periodical testing. So, consider the ease of maintenance and the availability of service and parts for the model you are interested in.
If constant supervision of your equipment may be an issue, consider engaging the services of a remote maintenance team to monitor your generator during activation or emergencies. Through remote monitoring, you can ensure that any problems are highlighted immediately, allowing you to stay up-to-date on the status of your power generator.
For instance, at Best Tools and Rehlko, we offer a generator remote monitoring system that can automatically start your generators weekly and run them for 10 minutes to check vital operating parameters, such as battery condition, emergency stop, fuel levels, oil and water temperature, and voltage.
Selecting the correct power generator is essential to securing a reliable, safe, and efficient backup power system for your business. At Best Tools and Rehlko, we are committed to providing comprehensive solutions to address all your backup power needs.