At Johnson & Phillips, generators play a crucial role in our disaster recovery services.
With an array of generators available to suit every power outage, generators provide a temporary solution to keep essential appliances and systems running smoothly during power outages. Understanding their operation, benefits, and safety measures ensures reliable performance when you need it most.
If you rely on power to operate your business, below is everything you need to know regarding generators and how they work during power outages or planned maintenance.
What Is A Generator?
A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It commonly uses diesel, but it can also use petrol, natural gas, or propane. For our line of services, generators are essential for providing power during outages and come in two main types: portable and standby.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are designed for mobility, making them ideal for temporary and flexible power needs. They are compact and often equipped with wheels, making handling them much easier for transportation.
- Mobility: Compact and movable, often with wheels and handles for easy transport.
- Fuel: Typically run on diesel, requiring manual refilling.
- Operation: Manually started and connected to appliances using extension cords or transfer switches.
Portable generators are perfect for short-term use during power outages, outdoor activities, or on job sites. Below is one of our portable 60kVA CAT generators en route to a client experiencing issues with their switchgear.
Standby Generators
Standby generators provide a more permanent solution for power outages because, within seconds, they can automatically supply electricity to a building’s electrical system when the main power fails. This is made possible through the use of multiple sensors that monitor the incoming electrical supply, which, if there is a disruption or drop in voltage, it’ll automatically provide backup power.
- Semi-Permanent Installation: Fixed in place and connected to a building’s electrical system, ensuring seamless operation.
- Fuel: Often, natural gas or propane is used with a continuous fuel supply, reducing the need for frequent refuelling.
- Operation: Automatically starts during power outages and switches off when power is restored, providing uninterrupted power to essential systems.
If you rely on power to operate your business, standby generators are highly advised when carrying out any planned maintenance. Below is one of our 275kVA standby generators running whilst infrastructure upgrades take place at a client premise.
What Are The Key Generator Components
- Engine: Burns fuel to create mechanical energy.
- Alternator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy via electromagnetic induction.
- Fuel Tank: Stores the fuel needed for operation.
- Control Panel: Interface for operating the generator, featuring power outlets and performance indicators.
- Starter: This can be a pull-start or electric start mechanism to ignite the engine.
Generators ensure that essential appliances and systems remain operational during power outages, providing temporary or seamless backup power depending on the type.
Using Generators During Power Outages
When a power outage occurs, using a portable generator can keep essential appliances running smoothly. To ensure it can run smoothly, we would consider the following factors:
- Choosing the Right Size: We would first determine the wattage requirements of the appliances you intend to power. Generators come in various sizes, typically ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 watts.
- Location: To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the generator needs to be outdoors in a well-ventilated area. We would never use a generator indoors or in an enclosed space.
- Connection: To provide emergency power, we use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances directly to the generator or a transfer switch to connect them to your business’s electrical system.
- Fuel Management: When using Johnson & Phillips for emergency power, we always ensure an adequate supply of fuel. This can be calculated by understanding your generator’s runtime based on its fuel capacity and load.
If you require a generator during a sudden power outage, visit our emergency generator hire page to view our options.
Conclusion
In an unpredictable world, generators have become an indispensable tool for businesses to remain operational during power outages. With an array of generators available to suit every power need, they provide a reliable solution to keep essential appliances and systems running smoothly.
If you want to stay prepared for unexpected power outages, please contact our team to discuss the best solution. Thanks to the various generators we have and our expert team of generator specialists, we can offer a range of solutions.