How to Buy the Right Generator – Making Sure It Will Do the Job
Choosing the right generator is not just about picking a brand or finding a good deal—it’s about matching the machine to your specific needs. Whether you require backup power for your home, continuous operation for your farm, or critical energy supply for industrial operations, selecting the right generator is essential to reliability, performance, and longevity.
Different Applications Require Different Solutions
Home and Office
For residential and office environments, backup generators are primarily selected to support essential services like heating, cooling, lighting, and communication systems. These generators usually have lighter load demands and prioritize quiet operation and fuel efficiency. Inverter generators or smaller diesel sets with sound-attenuated enclosures are common choices to minimize disruption.
Agricultural
Farm applications, on the other hand, can vary greatly. A generator may need to power grain dryers, water pumps, or ventilation fans—loads that require significant starting torque. Agricultural generators must be robust, capable of handling varying loads, and often benefit from multi-fuel capability (diesel, propane, or natural gas) to suit remote locations and available fuel sources.
Industrial
In industrial environments, reliability and power quality are paramount. Generators must sustain large three-phase loads, tolerate heavy motor starting (such as compressors and large HVAC systems), and meet stringent safety and emissions standards. These generators are often larger, skid-mounted, open-frame, or containerized for durability and scalability.
Understanding Windings and Motor Starting
A critical but often overlooked factor in generator selection is the design of the alternator windings.
For example:
Standard Windings are suitable for steady, resistive loads (lights, heaters).
Skewed Rotor or Dedicated Motor-Starting Windings are necessary for loads with heavy motor starting requirements (like pumps and compressors). These designs help prevent voltage dips and overheating during high inrush currents.
Always ask for a generator rated for High Motor Starting Capacity if you anticipate starting large motors under load. Look for specifications mentioning "low reactance," "300% motor starting kVA," or "high short-circuit capability."
Open, Enclosed, and Sound-Attenuated Configurations
Choosing the generator configuration is just as important as sizing it:
Open-Frame Units are less expensive and easier to maintain but best suited for indoor installations or remote locations where noise isn’t an issue.
Enclosed Generators provide protection against weather and tampering, making them ideal for urban or semi-urban outdoor locations.
Sound-Attenuated (Whisper Quiet) Generators are designed with special enclosures and muffler systems to significantly reduce noise. They are ideal for residential, office, and hospital applications where noise control is critical.
Fuel Choices Matter
Fuel type can affect generator performance, operating costs, and ease of refueling:
Diesel is the workhorse of heavy-duty generators, offering longevity, efficiency, and safer storage.
Natural Gas is cleaner burning and well-suited to urban locations where fuel lines are accessible.
Propane provides excellent shelf life for standby generators but offers less energy per gallon than diesel.
Bi-Fuel Options (diesel + natural gas) offer flexibility, especially for critical operations that need extended runtime during emergencies.
At DSG Power Systems, we specialize in matching the right generator to the right job. Whether you need a compact unit for your home or a rugged industrial powerhouse, our experts are here to help you specify a system that won’t just meet your expectations—it will exceed them.
Contact us today to discuss your power needs and ensure you get a generator that’s ready for anything.
