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There are many options for the home owner and business operator when the time comes to choose a generator: so many, in fact, that it can be quite problematic to those who do not possess the necessary information. What source of fuel do you prefer – diesel or petrol? Is your requirement for a small “emergency” generator for the home, or one with plenty of power to act as a back up when the mains electricity fails in your business? If you don’t have enough knowledge of how generators work, it could be very hard for you to choose the best one for your needs.

How then, do you make this necessary choice? Firstly, you should decide for what actual purpose you will need the generator, as this will help you to determine the capacity. If you require a generator for home use, it would not make sense to choose a heavy duty industrial generator, as it would produce more power than you require. Similarly, if you need to run machinery, a small generator will not be sufficient as it is likely to fail when you need it most.

Both diesel and petrol generators are similar in how they deliver power. Diesel electrical generators are quite often found in agricultural environments, on construction sites and in factories and warehouses: in fact, wherever you may need a portable and reliable source of energy. This is usually because there is no mains power (as with construction sites) or the mains power is unreliable (agricultural areas and factories).

In determining your generator requirements, you need to opt for the most efficient model. The size of the portable generators is specified by the output and speed given by the manufacturer: generally speaking, a more powerful generator has a higher output and speed. Most generators range between an output of 5KVA (kilovolt-ampere units) and 2500KVA. The lower KVA generators are suitable for home use, whereas the more powerful ones provide more than enough power for most industrial applications.

Choosing the efficiency of the model is the number one step: however, it is also necessary to calculate the load you have to supply. To do this, you merely have to work out the power demand, whether this be in the home or the business, during normal operating conditions. The amount of power that the generator is able to provide will tell you whether it is sufficient to meet the demands of your home or business: the capacity of the fuel tank only determines how long the generator will operate between refueling.It is always a good idea to opt for a generator that can provide you with a slightly higher level of power than you absolutely need, thus reducing the possibility of overloading.

Another factor you will have to consider is the noise output of the portable generator. Will you need to run the generator during the night in the home? If so, you should select a silent diesel generator as the noise output of these is much less than traditional diesel generators. It is also sensible to choose a silent diesel generator with a large fuel tank, to ensure that it runs overnight, thereby avoiding refueling in the wee small hours. The noise output is not such an important factor if it is used in an industrial situation, or during the day.

If the generator is to be used only occasionally, it makes sense to opt for a better quality used generator, as this will save you a good deal of money.

Having a generator available for emergency situations, such as natural disasters or power outages, or even when there is no existing mains electricity (camping is one such example) is an excellent idea. However, it pays to do your homework and carefully choose a generator that best suits your individual needs.

If you would like more help comparing the right diesel generator see our website and download our free guide on generator selection.