Generators play a key role in providing a reliable source of energy in emergency situations and in places where access to the electrical grid may be difficult. Their versatility and usefulness make them an indispensable tool in many areas, from construction and industry to home applications. In this article, you will learn how a generator is built, when it is worth choosing one, and what to look for when choosing the right device.
Check out the generators at the Onninen wholesaler
Construction of a generator
At the very beginning, let's consider the construction of this equipment, which will allow us to better understand how a generator works. This device is made up of several elements, the most important of which is the combustion engine, which can be with electric or manual start. Another important part of the generator, without which the equipment has no chance of functioning normally, is the generator. It consists of two elements - the stator and the magnetic rotor located in it. A sound-absorbing housing is very important, thanks to which the noise generated by the device is appropriately reduced. A quiet generator ensures the absence of annoying sounds.
The power generator must also be equipped with a main switch, which protects against overloads and short circuits in circuits, a cooling system and a control panel. The AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) regulator is no less important. In some models, there is also a very practical ATS system - Automatic Reserve Switching.
How to choose the right generator power?
When choosing a generator, we need to pay attention to its power. However, the value alone may not answer the question of which model will be appropriate. To be sure, it is worth first determining what devices we intend to power with the generator. The rule is that its power must be greater than the sum of the powers of the devices we intend to connect. However, it is easy to adjust them to your own needs, because generators are offered in a very wide range of power.
A 3 kW generator should be enough for a single-family home with a family of 4. For larger needs, we need to think about more powerful equipment, one that can handle overload even after connecting a large number of devices. Therefore , a 5 kW generator may be the optimal solution here. If we are looking for a professional generator for advanced tasks, we should focus on higher power.
This is especially important if we intend to power many specialized machines on the construction site or if we need an emergency power source in places such as greenhouses or breeding buildings. In this situation , a 10 kW three-phase generator may be the optimal solution. Which generator should I choose? A single-phase or three-phase generator? We need to think about this seriously!
Regardless of what you ultimately decide on, there are several factors to consider before making your choice. Energy requirements and frequency of use are key first, but other considerations are just as important, such as weight and portability, noise levels, and fuel type.
Choosing the Right Voltage for Your Generator
There is no doubt that the power of a generator is a key factor, but there are others to remember. One of them is voltage. The build class - G1, G2, G3 and G4 - informs about this, indicating what group of devices the generator can power. Let's look at each of these designations, starting with class G1.
It refers to receivers that have basic requirements in terms of voltage and frequency, such as heating, lighting, etc. Class G2 is already a higher level, which can be compared to the requirements of public power networks. Generators with class G3 are intended for devices with very high requirements for the supplied electrical energy, found, for example, in telecommunications systems. Class G4 is already the highest level, therefore they are intended for receivers with maximum requirements.
What should a generator be powered by?
The most popular are generators equipped with a petrol or diesel combustion engine, so to power them we simply need fuel (petrol) or diesel oil. This solution is very popular, because it is enough to fill the tank with petrol to use the generator for a few hours. Remember, however, that such an engine produces exhaust fumes, so do not use such a device in closed rooms.
The inverter generator is definitely more technologically advanced. The engine is designed to adjust its speed depending on which receivers it is currently powering. Importantly, the equipment operates at maximum power, but at the same time draws the least amount of power. As you can see, such generators are efficient and economical. LPG-powered generators are also available, quite cheap to operate, which is why they are popular.
Another solution is battery-powered power generators . These are portable generators, cheaper than models powered by a combustion engine. If we want them to be easy to move from one place to another - this is the ideal choice. However, we must take into account that their operation is short-lived. To recharge the batteries, we need a few more hours. The advantage is that they can be used in closed rooms, because of course they do not emit exhaust fumes. A portable power generator will certainly be the optimal solution in some situations.
Which unit will be best for the plot?
It all depends on the needs and the purpose of the generator. With small requirements, such as temporary power supply of energy-saving light sources, we do not have to invest in high-power equipment. It is different when we are looking for a generator for construction equipment. Here, more powerful equipment is needed, with at least 2-3 kW. This ensures the possibility of powering various tools, such as a hammer drill, drill or concrete mixer. Therefore, it is impossible to answer the question of which model to choose, because everything depends on how we intend to use it.
Taking this into account, we know that not only power is important, but also other factors. One of them is the size of the device. In most cases, a small device weighing no more than 15 kg is enough. Thanks to this, it is easy to take it with you, hiding it in the trunk of the car. This type of equipment is often equipped with a convenient handle, which helps in carrying. Another quite important factor is the choice of a single-phase or three-phase generator for the plot. When planning to use equipment powered by 230 V, a single-phase generator will be enough for us, which will easily cope with home electronics and most power tools. However, if we want to use tools requiring a 400 V power supply, three-phase generators are better.
How powerful should a generator for an inverter welder be?
The most important task of a generator is to supply various devices with electricity, there is no doubt about that, but devices are different and some require a simple device with low power, and others quite the opposite. This is the case with an inverter welder, to which the generator must be precisely matched, taking into account the most important parameters. The inverter welder is equipped with an electronic voltage regulation system.
Inverter welders definitely need a lot of power, which is why a 3-phase inverter generator is the best option here. It operates at a voltage of 400V, which guarantees proper, uninterrupted operation of the device. Single-phase models with a voltage of 230V will definitely not cope with this task. Of course, the issue of the generator's compatibility with inverter welders is crucial, but apart from them, we must also assess the welder's energy consumption, welding current intensity or the diameter of the electrodes used.
Generators in the Onninen wholesaler
We have already learned the key information about power generators, so now it's time for a few suggestions that are worth considering.
- We especially recommend the IGT 2500 generator by Scheppach , which is powered by a 4-stroke petrol engine with a capacity of 79 cm3. It provides 2000 watts of electricity regardless of the tasks we need it for - at home, on the plot or on the construction site. It has very high power, but its design is also light and compact. It works quite quietly, because the volume is 64.1 dB.
- Another model worth recommending, the SG7100 power generator is also powered by a 4-stroke engine with a large capacity - 420 cm3 and a power of 5500 W. A 25-liter petrol tank provides 10 hours of operation. It has overload protection, a voltmeter and an oil level warning. Equipped with an AVR voltage regulator.
- 2800W power generator with AVR voltage regulator and two independent sockets - 230V and 12V. Equipped with an integrated overload fuse protects against failures. This is a perfect solution when we need electricity in places without a permanent power supply. Solidly built with a durable steel frame. Air-cooled 4-stroke petrol engine, tank capacity 15 l.
Let's ensure that we have access to electricity wherever we are, let's invest in a reliable generator! Let's think about our own electricity supply, regardless of what we need it for! It's a great investment!