Global Generators

Getting the size right is the most important part of buying a commercial standby generator. Too small and it can overload or fail to start your equipment. Too large and it costs more and may run inefficiently at light load. Here’s a simple way to work it out. Step 1: Add Up Your Essential Load Decide what must stay on List the equipment you need during an outage, such as lighting, IT, refrigeration, security systems and machinery. Backing up the whole site needs a bigger set than backing up essential circuits only. Total what runs at the same time Add the running power (kW) of everything that will be on together, not everything on site. Step 2: Allow for Starting Current Motors draw more at start-up Pumps, compressors, lifts and air conditioning can draw several times their running current for a moment. Your generator must handle the largest start while other loads are already running. Step 3: Convert kW to kVA Use the power factor Generators are rated in kVA. Many 3 phase r...

Choosing the right size for commercial standby generators comes down to three questions: how much power your site really draws, how hard your equipment hits the generator when it starts, and whether your supply is single phase or three phase. Get those right and the generator starts cleanly and carries the load. Get them wrong and you either pay for capacity you never use or watch the set struggle the first time the mains fails. This guide walks through the sizing process step by step, with a worked example you can adapt. Why Sizing Matters An undersized generator can overload, trip, or fail to start large motors. An oversized one costs more to buy, takes up more space, and can run inefficiently at a very light load. Proper sizing is the cheapest way to protect the investment. A standby generator is permanently installed and starts automatically when mains power is lost, usually through an automatic transfer switch. Because it becomes part of the building's electrical system, it h...