Emergency Power Generator
The continuous availability of electric power for our homes and farms is often taken for granted. To most individuals and businesses, a continuous supply of electrical power is not a luxury but is considered to be essential. On farms, the loss of power, even for a few hours, disrupts mechanical ventilation systems, livestock feeding and watering equipment, processing equipment and other electrical devices that are essential to the successful operation of the business. In rural homes, an extended power outage causes losses of refrigerated foods, causes loss of water supply, the loss of central heating systems and often causes the loss of cooking and water heating capabilities. Most farm operators and many rural homeowners consider an emergency power generator to be necessary insurance against the effects of power outages. And more recently, as people in New York, and Colorado, and else where across the country this year, everyone every where is wondering if they to might need an emergency power generator to protect them selves against power outages due to severe weather.
Emergency generators are driven either by a tractor PTO or by their own self contained gasoline, diesel or LP fueled engine. Tractor PTO generators are set up and operated manually during an electric power outage. Engine driven generators can be manually operated or set up to automatically start and operate when an outage occurs. Automatic emergency power generator systems are much more expensive and manual systems because of the automatic transfer switching and required safety devices. Such systems are usually specified when there are critical power needs such as poultry house ventilation or human life support systems. Generators are rated by the amount of power they produce, expressed in watts or kilowatts. A small portable generator might be rated at 6000 watts or 6 kilowatts. Be aware that manufacturer’s ratings differ. Some manufacturer’s rate their generators based on the maximum short duration power they can produce for starting motors (e.g., 35,000 watts motor starting power). Such a generator cannot sustain a 35,000 watt output, and may only be able to maintain a 20,000 watt output continuously. Other manufacturers will rate their generators as 35,000 watts continuous with 45,000 watts motor starting capacity. Be sure you understand the rating of the generator you buy. Selecting an emergency power generator for household needs requires a decision about what electric circuits are really necessary during a prolonged outage. If you are only concerned about pumping water, running the furnace, operating a refrigerator and a few lights, a 4,000 to 6,000 watt portable, pull start generator would be adequate. However, if you wish to maintain relatively normal living conditions during any point, most household power generators are not built to withstand the rigors of continuous operation for days on end. In the event of a prolonged outage (more than 8 hours), it is wise to shut down the generator two or three times per day to check fluids and allow the generator and engine to cool. Low cost generators are generally constructed with lighter materials and are more likely to fail during long term operation because of the damaging effects of heat buildup within the unit. Electricity generation is a demanding process for the generator and the power source that drives it. Inexpensive generators are often incapable of meeting these demands and will often have a short useful life. The old adage, “You get what you pay for” is especially true when purchasing a generator. Important note to consider when purchasing a generator:
Home improvement centers, warehouse style stores, do it your self centers etc. don’t make their own generators. They have an agreement with a generator manufacture to build generators for them and to put the stores brand name on them. Those types of generators are usually of lighter constructed quality. For example: Say you are in a store like Home Depot for example, and you are looking at their generators or any type power tool. Then you notice the model number of the generator or power tool you are considering buying, and at the end of the model number, you see the letters HD. Typically, a person would tend to think the “HD” stands for heavy duty, but it doesn’t. It stands for, you guessed it- Home Depot. So it is important to take your time and research generators before laying out hard earned money to purchase one. Finally, no matter what generator you select, be sure that it delivers the same voltage and frequency that your power supplier provides to you. In most cases, that will be 120/240 volts, 60 cycle alternating current. Large farms may take utility service at higher voltages, such as 277/480 volts, 3 phase, 60 cycle.
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