An Introductory Guide To Diesel Generators
There are many instances where an auxiliary power source is required. Examples include construction sites, remote campsites and mobile homes, and scenes of disasters. Diesel generators come in handy in such places, since access to the main power grid is either lacking or limited. In addition, the generators can be used as backup, both at home and workplaces, to provide power during outages.
The use of a diesel generator to act as an alternate source of power, during power blackouts, is very crucial to the operations of many businesses, and other important facilities that cannot afford to go without power. These facilities include airports and hospitals, whose services would grind to a halt, if they do not have electricity.
Diesel generators are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. There are the small portable generators that are suitable for home use, camping sites, and small construction sites. These are normally single phase and generate between 1 kVA to 10 kVA. On the other hand, there are large industrial generators that are suitable for commercial use. These can be either single phase or 3-phase power, with an output of over 10 kVA.
The defining factor in diesel generators happens to be its cooling mechanism i.e. whether it is air-cooled or water-cooled. The air-cooled engines are smaller, very portable, and affordable. However, they are very noisy and require ducting, in order to have sufficient air flowing through. Water-cooled engines on the other hand, may be a bit expensive and bulkier, but they have the advantage of being very quiet and having a superior mechanism for cooling.
Anyone wishing to buy a diesel generator, must first understand what the intended purpose is, to enable them make the correct choice. One must consider whether the generator will be used as the only source of power or as a backup. In addition, they must know the maximum load that is required, power output- whether single phase or 3-phase, and finally whether their situation calls for an air-cooled or water-cooled generator. After all these factors have been taken into account, one can then start comparing the individual features of each engine.