STANDBY GENERATOR POWER REQUIREMENTS

The following information is not a substitute for a certified electrician but is meant to be used as a guideline for selecting the right standby generator for your home, business or industry. We always suggest talking with our certified installers before buying a generator. For a free survey and price quote, contact us for more information. Some of the considerations for buying a standby generator include:

• Size
• Number of phases - single phase, three phase
• KW or KVA Requirements

Size
Standby emergency generators are available in a wide range of sizes designed to keep your home or business operating in a power outage. Generators with power supply capacities of 5kW to 50kW are readily available in the personal and home use markets, while industrial generators can be 50kW to over 3 Megawatts. ReadySource has the system that is right for you.

Many people believe smaller generators can be used for standby electric power because all of the connected loads are not continuously running. This is not only a myth but can actually be very damaging. When an undersized generator is used, there is a risk of damaging the generator because of overloading, as well as damaging electrical equipment like air conditioners and appliances because of under-voltage. Unfortunately, under-sizing is the most common mistake people make when purchasing a generator. This creates hazardous situations and limits the productivity of the unit and those who are relying on it for power.

The key is that a little extra is always better than less.

Number of phases - single phase, three phase Gensets produce either single or three phase power. Most homeowners require single phase. Industrial or commercial function usually requires three phase power. Diesel engine generators are recommended due to their longevity and lower operating costs. Modern diesel engines are quiet and generally require much less maintenance than comparably sized gas (natural gas or propane) units.

Know your requirements
Calculate the total power requirements in KVA or KW by using the Wattage Calculator to help you choose the right size. Obtaining the right starting and running wattage of the items you intend to power during an outage is critical for calculating your accurate power requirements. Usually, you will find these requirements in the identification plate or the owner's manual in the buyer's kit of each item.

It’s a general rule of thumb to purchase a generator with 10 – 20 percent more power than what you feel you will use. This will help ensure the items you require are covered and it will also maximize the life of the generator.