Choosing the right generator for your commercial property

From domestic properties to commercial businesses, we provide a wide range of high quality electrical solutions and installations. And this is our guide to everything you should know about choosing a backup or standby generator for your commercial property.

Why should businesses consider investing in a generator?

In a power outage, or in the event of a disaster at your property, including flooding and extreme weather, it can be crucial to keep the power running. From businesses with refrigeration units and fresh produce, to computer servers needing constant access to the internet, every moment that the power is out can have a negative impact on your business. A generator can be the perfect solution to keep your power running, every time you need it.

Important considerations for choosing the right generator for your commercial property

So, what should you consider when choosing a generator for your property? Well, there are a number of factors to take into account, including:

• The type of generator
• The power of the generator

The different types of generator for commercial properties

There are two main types of electrical generators that can be used for any commercial property, including:

• AC generators- providing up to 25kW of power, most portable generators are AC.
• DC generators- these are usually used as battery chargers and exciters for AC generators.

From these options, you also have the choice of either portable generators or standby generators.

Choosing a portable generator for your commercial property

A portable generator can be a good choice for your business, but there are some factors to bear in mind, including:

• The size of your business- most portable generators are only really useful for small businesses, providing up to 25kW of power but more commonly just 10kW.
• Outside storage- a portable generator will need to be stored outside because of the exhaust gasses they produce.

Choosing a standby generator for your commercial property

For any commercial property, a standby generator can be the most effective option. This is a generator that hooks into the automatic transfer switch on the main electrical panel. This means that it can be activated in as little as 10 to 30 seconds. The standby generator can also be modified to ensure that power stays on during the transition period, so that your staff and equipment experience no power loss at all.

How much power will my generator need to provide?

A generator for any commercial property will need to provide 10kW of power at a minimum. Some generators offer 5kW, but this is only enough power for limited activities and basic survival. For larger businesses, a generator providing 25 or 30 kW can be much more realistic, as this can power large offices and even air conditioning units. For server rooms and data centres this can be essential.

For more information or advice about our commercial electrical work, or for professional installation of backup or standby generators for your property, get in touch with the experts today, here at Powerhouse.