No matter where you are – home, civil construction sites, farmlands, building sites, mining sites or rural stations, the time comes when you feel the need for generators.
The reason could be anything to choose generators- breaking down of grid supply, insufficient power or inaccessibility of grid supply to a certain location.
In any of the above cases, generators are proven to be super useful. They can generate electricity on a standalone basis and ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply of electricity.
Their benefits can be doubled if chosen correctly while buying. Before that, you need to know about the types and categories of generators that exist. Commonly, generators have been categorized based on fuel and power output.
Fuel Based Generators
Petrol Generators
Petrol generators have been around for longer compared to diesel ones. They are quite affordable, but the operating cost is higher as petrol costs high. Therefore, now they are built with all kinds of economy modes.
For distant sites where petrol has to be carried, these generators are not a suitable option as the petrol is highly inflammable. However, they make a good choice at sites where already various equipment are being run on petrol.
Diesel generators
Diesel generators are far more popular compared to petrol because of many advantages. Cheaper fuel cost is one of them. Apart from this, they make a good buy also because they offer the best fuel efficiency, can perform consistently for long hours without malfunctioning and have a longer life. They can also be operated under adverse conditions. The low flammability of fuel is an added advantage.
Gas generators
For those, looking for environment-friendly options, Gas generators are a better choice. This is because gas generators run on propane or natural gas and these fuels are cleaner than other fuels. Also, they are less noisy and hence can be an apt choice for sites where one wants to avoid noise.
Solar Generators
Solar generators, as the name suggests use solar energy to generate electricity, another noiseless and eco-friendly option. These are apt for both types of devices running on DC or AC power. Besides, almost zero running costs and ample supply during sunny days are the biggest reasons why their popularity is on rise. Despite all these benefits, they are not so preferred because of the higher acquisition cost.
Hybrid Generators
Hybrid generators are the combination of solar generators and fuel-based generators. The biggest benefit of these generators is that they can help in both during the day time using solar energy and night using fuel, making it cost-effective and feasible.
Power Output Based Generators
Inverter Generators
Inverter generators can convert AC power into DC power and vice-a-versa to supply steady current to the devices, gadgets or appliances. They are mostly used for recreational vehicles, automobiles, and air conditioners. These generators are available in the power supply capacity of 2000 to 5000 watts at 220 volts.
Industrial Generators
Industry generators are designed to support the entire high grade needs that of industries. These generators are rugged, robust and can perform under adverse conditions. Plus, they are amenable to customization, can run for long hours and can generate single or three-phase power. They are available in the widest range of power output, starting from 20 kilowatts to 2500 kilowatts.
Standby Generators
Standby generators are used to backup power when grid power fails. There are many establishments where operations cannot be discontinued due to power cuts, such as hospitals, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and residential homes/apartments. The standby generators ensure a continuous supply of power in every circumstance.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are highly in demand during the disaster when a grid power supply fails. Being portable they can be taken to any place where power is required to carry out rescue operations.
Besides, they are useful at every site where grid power supply is not available or can’t be accessed. For instance, in day to day life, these portable generators are used for outdoor functions and camping. At construction sites and farmlands, they are employed to power small tools.
These generators don’t come with high power output but their portability feature makes them highly useful in above mentioned conditions.
Conclusion
Consider all the factors, including your requirements, expectations, and budget before finalizing. A single generator may not fit into all your expectations; therefore you have to be specific about what exactly you want.
Remember, buying a generator is an investment. Do thorough research, and then weigh your decision before buying, so that your experience with generators remains pleasing for years to come.