5 Things to Know Before Buying FPT Diesel Generator

A diesel generator is a good solution when there are power outages or when one needs to be off-grid. Selecting the right model requires some important considerations. This guide provides information on the basic aspects of diesel generators, the important things to consider when purchasing the generator, and some important tips to enable you to make the right decision.

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What is a Diesel Generator?

A diesel generator is a power machine that uses diesel to generate electricity. The generator is an engine that converts diesel fuel into an internal combustion engine to generate electricity with the help of an alternator. Some of the common benefits associated with diesel generators include high fuel efficiency, reliability, capacity to work for long hours and deal with powerful loads in diverse sectors such as industrial, commercial and domestic. They are extensively employed in backup power systems, off-grid connections, and areas where power supply reliability is vital.

Features of Diesel Generators

• Fuel Efficiency: Diesel generators are widely known to be more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines. They are also cheaper to use especially for longer operations or when high energy is required.
• Durability and Longevity: Mainly used in tough working environments, diesel generators are usually more durable and can handle jobs that require considerable use from the generators. They are mainly built using materials that are strong and have a fewer number of RPMs (revolutions per minute) thus less likely to wear out quickly.
• Higher Power Output: These generators operate using diesel engines, the type that has the capacity to offer high power; therefore, suitable for high use equipment, industries, and whole building backup power.
• Lower Maintenance Requirements: In most cases, diesel engines are known to have fewer components than gasoline engines hence incurring less in maintenance costs. Already it must be taken that servicing the engine is still adequate for optimal performance as well as durability.
• Automation and Control Panels: Most of the modern diesel generators are fitted with features such as remote monitoring and the ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch). These features make operation and maintenance easier especially for large installations.

Factors to Consider Before Buying a Diesel Generator

1. Power Requirements

When selecting the right generator, power requirements easily rank as one of the most important factors. Start by determining the total wattage of all the devices or systems that are to be powered by the generator. Pay attention to both continuous operational power consumption and surge (starting) power needs, particularly if operating heavy equipment with high inrush currents draw such as air conditioners, motors etc. Lastly, to obtain the best deal, use the kilowatt (kW) power rating of the generator to match or exceed your actual power requirement. This will help avoid overloading and guarantee the best performance during the time of continuous use.

2. Type of Generator

• Portable Generators: These are compact, mobile options ideal for temporary power or limited usage, such as camping, events, or small construction projects.
• Standby Generators: Permanently installed and wired to your electrical system, standby generators automatically start when there’s a power outage. These are commonly used in homes, businesses, and industrial settings where continuous power is critical.
• Prime or Continuous Generators: These units are designed for ongoing use, such as at remote construction sites or locations without grid power.

3. Generator Size

It is crucial to select the right generator size. A small-capacity generator is not suitable for high demand current consumers since this may lead to an instance of burning the generator and the appliances that are connected to it. On the other hand, a large generator is wasteful of fuel and may prove costly to run.

It is advisable to consult a specialist or employ the help of a load calculator to determine the exact power you will require and hence choose the appropriate size. Purchasing the right capacity guarantees that the generator will run effectively and will also last longer providing the necessary power without stress.

4. Noise Levels

Another factor that needs to be considered is the noise produced by the generator if it’s to be used in densely populated areas or even in quiet neighborhoods. Diesel generators as a rule are noisier than others, but most of the new models can be equipped with soundproofing features or noise shields. Generators are measured in decibel (dB) output, so ensure you get one that produces the noise level that you can tolerate. This can be done by either selecting a model that produces little noise or by enclosing the generator in a soundproof housing so as to reduce the amount of noise produced to the bare minimum.

5. Automation and Remote Monitoring

Most diesel generators have auto functions that make the use of the generators more convenient and efficient. ATS stands for Automatic Transfer Switches which enable the generator to start immediately when the main power supply is off to ensure continuity of power supply.

Moreover, the features of remote control, which can be available via a mobile application or a web interface, enable it to track fuel, power, and maintenance statuses. This feature is especially helpful for large-scale or commercial use since it may be hard to monitor the system manually.

Also, Read >> 10kVA Diesel Generator Price in Pakistan

6. Budget and Warranty

Cost is definitely an issue, but the most important thing is to find the right balance between the price, quality and features. Diesel generators are not cheap, so, it is always better to pay extra money and get the generator that will meet all your needs. Moreover, compare the warranty of the model which you have chosen, and look for one with a parts, repairs, or service warranty. The warranty of a product is surely an indication of how much the manufacturer believes in his product.

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Conclusion

Selecting the right diesel generator is an investment in dependability and security. It is therefore important to look at the power requirements, the type of generator, size, fuel efficiency and noise level so as to get the right generator that suits the needs of the user and is within the user’s budget. That is why with the right diesel generator, you are assured of power supply in case of any power outage thus guaranteeing you operation and security.

Looking for the best diesel generator? Power Zone has a complete line of high-quality diesel generators to suit your power requirements. Visit our website or call us today to learn more about our products and get advice on which generator is best for your residential, commercial or industrial use.

To determine how much power your generator set needs, you must know not only the nominal power of the equipment that will operate at the same time, but also the peak power consumption, especially at start-up. For example, an electric motor can consume up to three times its nominal power at start-up. The generator set must be able to provide the peak power consumed by all the equipment that needs to start at the same time. For resistive equipment (lighting, television, small electrical appliances, etc.), a safety factor of 30% must be added when determining the power of the generator set. For inductive equipment (i.e. electric motors), their nominal power must be multiplied by 3 to take into account peak consumption.

For generator sets that deliver a three-phase power supply, the power is indicated in kilo-volt-amperes (kVA): this is referred to as the apparent power. For the ones that supply direct current or single-phase power, the power is indicated in kW: this is referred to as active power.

The difference between kVA and kW comes from the phase shift between each phase. This phase shift is called cos φ (cosine phi). To obtain the active power of a generator set whose apparent power and cos φ you know, multiply these two values, for example: 1 kVA x 0.8 = 800 W (as a general rule, the cos φ of generator sets is 0.8).

Generally, generator set manufacturers indicate the continuous power and the maximum power that corresponds with an overload of about 20% of the continuous power for a limited time.

For domestic use, up to 18 kW, you will need a single-phase generator set, except possibly for some very energy-intensive equipment such as heat pumps.

For professional use, you will probably need a three-phase generator set to supply machines that require more power.

Some three-phase generator sets are equipped with single-phase outlets. Regardless of the number of outlets, it is important to respect the generator set’s maximum power. When the generator set is equipped with one or more single-phase outlets, it is important to respect the balance between the phases by distributing the devices over the three outlets according to the power consumed by each device.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website FPT Diesel Generator.