Need More than a 20kw Generator can Provide

Oct 10, 2013 Generators
Posted by Generator World

Need More than a 20kw Generator can Provide? A glance at Larger Units and Who Needs Them

Air-cooled standby generators top out at 20 kilowatts, which is a just 83 amperes at 240 volts. Most new homes have 200-amp service. Normally, most homes avoid the use of the volume of power their service is capable of supplying, and seldom come close―most of the time. In fact, most homes don’t exceed 80 amperes apart from short periods or when large motors on air conditioners or well pumps start. From the 1940s towards the 1970s, 60-ampere service was usual and 100-ampere service became common in the 1970s.

With power management features designed for most residential standby generators, in addition to conservative power use practices, most homes can function comfortably on 20 kilowatts or a lesser amount of standby power.

Higher Power Requirements

Larger homes have higher power requirements. It’s not uncommon to want 300- and 400-amp service in large homes, and the largest luxury homes are now and again provided with even larger electrical service. They have got multiple, high-capacity air conditioners and furnaces, plus general, larger appliances.  Power use exceeding 20 kilowatts could be the normal, everyday level of use within these homes.

Smaller businesses and manufacturing facilities are also higher users of electricity. When it comes to larger facilities, multiple standby generators are often used to produce enough standby electricity just to supply emergency systems which don’t include everyday operational requirements.

Liquid Cooled Generators

Liquid-cooled standby generators use engines comparable to those present in cars. They have a fan-cooled radiator filled up with coolant that’s pumped through the engine to cool it. As they do not count on the ambient air temperature to directly cool the engine, and also, since their air conditioning system is active rather than passive, they’ve less trouble with overheating and gives more reliable operation.

Standby generators of this type can be obtained with as much as 60 kilowatts of power for residential use, and bigger models of up to 150 kilowatts for commercial use. A capacity of 60kW provides approximately 250 amperes of current continuously, enough to maintain most luxury homes operating without the need for judicious using power.

The bigger, commercial standby models will handle the requirements of most commercial facilities and can supply power to restaurants, buildings, apartment buildings, and retail facilities. Facilities that need more power can install multiple units.

Manufacturers

For residential use, Generac Power Systems manufacturers the QuietSource line of home standby power generators. The QuietSource models can be purchased in 22, 27, 36 and 48 kilowatts, enough power for the majority of larger and luxury homes. QuietSource generators include models in 240-volt single-phase,  208-volt three-phase, and 480-volt three-phase standby power.

Generac’s Commercial series of liquid-cooled standby generators include 22 to 150 kilowatt models for business or commercial use and are available in 240, 208, or 480 volt models both in single and three-phase configurations. Models with aluminum or steel enclosures can be obtained.

Briggs & Stratton has three models designed for whole house standby power in 35, 45, and 60 kilowatts to power the biggest of luxury homes throughout a power outage. With this type of power available, you don’t need to forgo any of life’s necessities or conveniences.

Considerations

Homes that count on high-demand electric appliances for example ranges, dryers, water heaters, well pumps, electric heating, and central air conditioners may necessitate more power than an air-cooled standby generator provides without extensive management and careful using of power. These homeowners should think about a more substantial, liquid cooled generator.

Businesses and commercial operations ought to have the reliability and power advantages that larger, liquid-cooled standby generators can provide.

For more information on these great brands, please go to: www.NPSGenerac.com