How to determine what size you need
How to Determine What Size You Need
Getting a generator that can handle all your power
generation needs is one of the most critical aspects
of the purchasing decision. Whether you are
interested in prime or standby power, if your new
generator can't meet your specific requirements
then it simply won't be doing anyone any good
because it can put undue stress on the unit and
even damage some of the devices connected to it.
Unfortunately, determining exactly what size of
generator to get is often very difficult and involves
a number of factors and considerations.
Making a choice amongst single phase, three
phase, kW, KVA, Auto start / stop, standby
generators can be mind-boggling. To prevent such
confusion, this article was developed to help you get a better idea of how the sizing
process works and some key things to keep in mind. This is not a substitute for a
certified electrician, Cowpower sales team, which we always suggest talking to before
buying, but it should provide you with enough information to get a solid
understanding of some of the key things that are involved.
Generator Size Variations: With the latest advancements in the field of electrical
engineering, generators are now available in a wide range of sizes. Generators with
power supply capacities of 5kW to 40kW are readily available in the personal and
home use markets, while industrial generators are anywhere from 30kW to over
300KW. Handy and portable gensets are available for homes, RV's and small offices,
but larger businesses, data centers, buildings, plants, and industrial applications need
to use the much larger sized industrial generators to meet their higher power
requirements.
Generator Sizing - How Much Power?: Many people believe smaller generators can be
used for standby electric power because they are not running all the time. This is not
only a myth but can actually be very detrimental. Unfortunately, generator under
sizing is one of the most common mistakes committed by buyers. Not only does it
involve the risks of damaging your new asset (the generator), but it can also damage
other assets connected to it, create hazardous situations, and even limit overall
productivity of the unit and/or the business relying on it. If nothing else, the key
thing to remember here is that more is always better than less.
How to Determine the Right Size Engine or Generator: While there is no substitute for
having a certified electrician perform an inspection and calculate everything for you,
the guidelines below do offer some great starting points and should at least get you
started in the right direction:
Know Your Requirements: Going to a dealer and buying the best or cheapest
generator available without any other consideration is clearly not the best approach.
It is always better to delve deep into your power generation requirements before
making a choice. You can do this in the following ways:
- Make a list of the items that need to be powered by the generator
- Make a note of the starting and running wattage of the respective items
- Calculate the total power requirements in KVA or KW
- Being aware of your prime KVA or KW ( current incoming power)
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How to Find the Starting and Running Wattage: Getting the right starting and running
wattage of the devices you intend to power is crucial for calculating the accurate
power requirements. Normally, you will find these in the identification plate or the
owner's manual in the buyer's kit of each respective device, tool, appliance, or other
electrical equipment.
Ampere - Watt Conversion: You may often find power requirements of tools stated in
amperes. In order to convert the power requirement of a tool from ampere to watts,
follow these calculations, or you can also use our handy conversion tool on our power
calculator web page.
For resistive load: Wattage = amperes x volts
For reactive load: Wattage = (amperes x volts) x load factor
Advantages of choosing the right size generator: Now that you have an idea on how
to choose the appropriate size of generator to suit your needs, here's just a few of the
benefits obtained by going through that process:
- No unexpected system failures
- No shutdowns due to capacity overload
- Increased longevity of the generator
- Guaranteed performance
- Smoother hassle-free maintenance
- Increased system life span
- Assured personal safety
- Much smaller chance of asset damage
Where to Buy- Cowpower sales team can help: Since you are not only purchasing a
substantial company asset, but most likely an item you will need to rely on for prime
or emergency electrical power at some point, probably in a crisis, deciding where to
buy is also a key consideration not to be overlooked. The Cowpower years of
experience can help you.
Cowpower sales team can help you here's just a few of the reasons why you should
always consider Cowpower Generators Ltd as your first stop for all your generators
needs:
- Every Cowpower Generator is pre serviced before shipment.
- Full service available
- Highly qualified mechanics.
- High-end testing equipment and de-installation tools
- Helpful support team.
- We test and guarantee all our products
- Always a competitive price!
As this article demonstrates, there are obviously numerous considerations to account
for when selecting the appropriate generator for the job. If you are having a difficult
time with it or would like more specific suggestions and recommendations for your
situation, contact us today and one of our knowledgeable sales and support staff will
be more than happy to assist.