Generator sets 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 fields, from construction and industry to home applications. From this article you will learn how a generator is constructed, when it is worth choosing one and what to pay attention to when choosing the right device.
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Construction of a power generator
First, let's consider the construction of this equipment, which will allow us to better understand how a generator works. This device consists of several elements, the most important of which is the internal combustion engine, which can be started electrically or manually. 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 inside it. A sound-absorbing casing is very important, thanks to which the noise generated by the device is adequately reduced. The quiet generator ensures no annoying sounds.
The generator must also be equipped with a main switch providing protection against overloads and short circuits in the circuits, a cooling system and a control panel. Last but not least, there is the AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator), an automatic voltage stabilizer. Some models also feature a very practical ATS system - Automatic Reserve Switching.
How to choose the right generator power?
When choosing a generator, we must pay attention to its power. But the value itself may not answer the question of which model will be appropriate. To be sure of this, 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, they are easy to adapt to your needs, as the units are offered in a very wide range of power.
A 3 kW generator should be enough for a single-family house where a family of 4 lives. For larger needs, we must think about more powerful equipment, one that can cope with the 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 power generator for advanced tasks, we should choose higher power.
This is especially important if we intend to power many specialized machines on a 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 you choose? Single-phase or three-phase generator? We need to seriously consider this!
Regardless of what we ultimately decide on, there are several factors that should be assessed before choosing. First of all, the energy demand and frequency of use are key, but other issues such as weight and portability, noise level and fuel type are equally important.
Selecting the appropriate voltage for the generator
There is no doubt that the power of the generator is a key factor, but you also need to remember about others. One of them is tension. The execution class - G1, G2, G3 and G4 - informs about this, indicating which group of devices the generator can power. Let's look at each of these designations, starting with the G1 class.
It refers to receivers with basic requirements in terms of voltage and frequency, such as heating, lighting, etc. Class G2 is a higher level that can be compared to the requirements of public power grids. G3 class generators are intended for devices with very high requirements regarding the supplied electricity, found, for example, in telecommunications systems. Class G4 is the highest level, so they are intended for receivers with maximum requirements.
What should the generator be powered by?
The most popular are power generators equipped with a gasoline or diesel combustion engine, so to power them we simply need fuel (gasoline) or diesel oil. This solution is very popular because all you need to do is fill the tank with gasoline to use the generator for several hours. However, remember that such an engine produces exhaust gases, 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 consumes the least amount of power. As you can see, such units are efficient and economical. There are also LPG-powered generators available, which are quite cheap to operate and therefore popular.
Another solution is battery-powered electricity generators . These are portable units, cheaper than models powered by an internal combustion engine. If we want them to be easily moved from place to place - this is the perfect choice. However, we must take into account that their effect is short-lived. To recharge the batteries, we need a few hours again. The advantage is that they can be used in closed rooms because, of course, they do not emit exhaust fumes. A portable generator will certainly be the optimal solution in some situations.
Which unit will be best for the plot?
It all depends on your needs and what purpose the unit will be used for. For small requirements, such as temporarily powering energy-saving light sources, we do not have to invest in high-power equipment. It looks different when we are looking for a generator for construction equipment. Here you need more powerful equipment, at least 2-3 kW. This allows you to power various tools, such as an impact hammer, a drill or a concrete mixer. Therefore, it is impossible to clearly answer the question of which model to choose, because everything depends on how we intend to use it.
Taking this into account, let's 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. This makes it easy to take them with you by storing them in the trunk of your car. This type of equipment is often equipped with a comfortable handle, which makes it easier to carry. The choice of a single-phase or three-phase generator for the plot is also quite an important factor. If you plan to use 230 V equipment, all you need is a single-phase generator that can easily handle home electronics and most power tools. If we want to use tools requiring 400 V power supply, three-phase generators are better.
What power should a generator for an inverter welding machine have?
The most important task of a generator is to supply various equipment with electricity, there is no doubt about that, but the equipment is different and some require a simple device with low power, while others require the opposite. This is the case with an inverter welding machine, to which the unit must be precisely matched, taking into account the most important parameters. The inverter welding machine is equipped with an electronic voltage regulation system.
Inverter welding machines 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. Certainly single-phase models with 230 V voltage will not cope with this task. Of course, the issue of the compatibility of the generator with inverter welding machines is crucial, but apart from them, we also need to assess the energy consumption of the welding machine, the welding current and the diameter of the electrodes used.
Power generators in the Onninen wholesaler
We have already learned the key information about power generators, so now it's time for some suggestions that are worth considering.
- We especially recommend the Scheppach IGT 2500 generator , which is powered by a 4-stroke gasoline engine with a capacity of 79 cm3. It provides 2,000 watts of electricity regardless of the tasks we need it for - at home, on a plot of land or on a construction site. It is very powerful, but its design is light and compact at the same time. It works quite quietly, with a volume of 64.1 dB.
- Another recommended model, 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 gasoline 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, it protects against failures. This is a perfect solution when we need electricity in places without permanent power supply. Solidly built with a durable steel frame. Air-cooled 4-stroke petrol engine, tank capacity 15 liters.
Let's ensure access to electricity wherever we are by investing in a reliable generator! Let's think about our own electricity supply, regardless of what we need it for! It's a great investment!