Before hiring a generator it is important to know how much power your project or building will require. Here at Templant we provide a wide range of generators, from small 13 kVA diesel generators with a 11 KW output, up to 1250 kVA units with an output of 1000 KW. Our technical support team will happily advise on your needs, but the following will give you an idea of how much power you might need.
When choosing a generator it is important to consider both the output power and the fuel tank size. You may only require a small generator, but if you plan to run it constantly over a long period, it may actually work out cheaper to have a larger one that does not need such intensive fuel management. Failure to choose the right size generator can result in excessive wear and tear on the system that could lead to costly damage, to always go for a little more than you think you’ll need.
How Much Power Do You Need?
If you are providing backup power for a home or small business, you will need much more power than you might think. Many people think that only small generator is needed because it will be in standby most of the time, but it can cause untold damage to appliances that are connected to it. So, take some time to determine how much power you need by following these steps:
- List all items that will be connected to the generator, ideally in a spreadsheet
- Look up the starting and running wattage of each item
- Calculate the total power requirements in kVA or KW
- To convert Watts to kVA @ 0.8pf, divide Watts by 0.8.
Calculating all the running and starting power needs is a timely process, but one that must be done. Remember all light bulbs, chargers, and other miscellaneous power needs as well as the main services you’ll be connecting. If for domestic needs, remember to include boilers, electric showers, towel heaters, extractor fans, as well as washing machines, televisions and ovens.
Of course, the easiest way to determine your power needs, whether for a business or a home, is to look at your electric bill – your bill should show how many KW you have used in a month, so from that, you can work out a daily requirement. Just remember that while not everything will be on at once, there will be peaks and troughs in load requirements, so always allow for the peak times.
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Advantages of Calculating Power Requirements
If you calculate your power requirements well and get a suitable generator, you should avoid these common problems:
- Unexpected system failures
- Overloading causing generator shutdown
- Errative performance
- Malfunctions caused by misuse
Average Power Requirements
These figures are a rough estimate and should not be used to determine your actual needs:
- Domestic: 3 to 6.5 KW
- Small industrial / building site: 3-4 KW, but take care when running circular saws and other high demand tools
- Generator for a private hospital: 400 KW generator
- Larger offices, schools, large retail outlets: up to 1000 KW
As you can see, there is a huge variation in demand. If you need a backup generator for a planned outage, or need power in an emergency, call Templant today to discuss your requirements. Our fully managed power services mean that you can concentrate on running your business, service or event peace of mind.
