Whether you're in the middle of a busy day at the office or you're simply watching TV at home, power cuts can be infuriating. That's partly because we're so used to having a constant supply of electricity in domestic and commercial buildings in the 21st century. But it's also because so much of what we do in our daily lives is now totally dependent on uninterrupted power, like watching a film on a laptop or even just browsing the internet.
It's no surprise then that households and businesses around the world often consider buying or hiring a generator in case their power supply should be temporarily or permanently cut off - or, in some cases, non-existent. However, there are several types of generators to choose from and it's important to understand what's out there and which generator best suits your needs before making a decision.
Standby and Portable Generators
Standby generators are suitable for both home and office use, and are implemented so that they can be used in the event of a power failure. Standby generators for a home tend to be rather small in size so they can be conveniently stored away in a garage, while a commercial standby generator may be industrial in scale depending on the size of the office it has to serve. Often, these generators are connected to existing wiring when they are implemented so that when the usual power supply fails, they are switched on automatically.
Portable generators, on the other hand, tend to be used primarily in commercial ventures. They are particularly relevant in work environments where there may be no power supply to begin with - for example, a construction site or a campsite. These do not turn on automatically and need to be manually started. What's more, while standby generators are usually owned outright, especially in homes, portable generators are more likely to be hired since they may only be used on a temporary basis - i.e., until work on the construction site is finished.
Electric and Diesel Generators
Standby and portable generators are also operated by different mechanisms. Electric and diesel generators are among the most common, and their application varies in context. Standby generators, for instance, may be more likely to be electric. That's because their main purpose is to provide power in the event of a blackout or interruption to supply. An electric generator wired into the existing electrical system of a building allows it to start automatically when mains power ceases.
A diesel generator, on the other hand, needs to be filled with diesel for it to operate, which is impractical in a blackout situation. Many commercial generator companies offer diesel generator hire, as well as electric generator hire. Some also offer generators that run on natural gas or propane.
