In the market there are different types of electric generators, which have become great allies when it comes to providing energy for lighting and connecting all kinds of devices, such as electrical appliances or power tools.
Electric generators are the best way to avoid running out of electricity due to storms, floods, etc. With this equipment you can continue working, keep your appliances in perfect condition without the risk of them breaking down due to a power outage, continue serving your customers in a store and other situations where electricity is needed.
If in a previous article we talked about the applications of gasoline electric generators, here we are going to talk about the types of electric generators according to their voltage stabilization system, their type of starting and their most frequent uses.
Types of generators and voltage stabilization systems
Inverter electric generator
Inverter generators transform power from AC to DC and back to AC. This process allows a sine wave (alternating current voltage value over a continuously variable time) to be generated. This wave is practically perfect and far superior to conventional generators. This technology allows the regulator to emit a stable electric current that neutralizes the vulnerability of electrical appliances and household appliances to scattered and poor quality sine waves.
These types of electrical generators are used as a power source during blackouts. They also routinely support power grids in two ways: the inverter generator provides grid support and savings.
Advantages: it offers the highest current quality at present, being compatible with almost all machines on the market. Especially suitable for powering electronic equipment.
Disadvantages: Not recommended for welding machines, construction, public works…
Condenser electric generator
This is the oldest, cheapest and simplest system, the electricity is regulated by means of capacitor discharges that balance the voltage.
The energy is of acceptable quality as long as there is a balance in consumption. When a load is connected, the generator shifts its voltage and frequency, dropping and rising until after a few moments they are finally balanced. The greater the connected load, the greater the deviations. These unwanted voltage variations will easily move around +-10-15%, even up to 20% if the connected loads are very large compared to the power of the generator itself (e.g. connecting 1,800 W at once on a 2,000 W generator).
Uses: resistive lighting, tools, stoves, radio… in general any equipment that is not sensitive to the described voltage variations.
Advantages: they are effective in starting motors, since they can do so by lowering their voltage and recovering it after the starting peak, something that cannot happen in other regulation systems.
Disadvantages: voltage and frequency variations too high for sensitive equipment.
Electric generator by electronic regulator
Electronic regulation is currently the most popular system due to its performance/cost ratio. Its main virtue lies in its high voltage correction under all circumstances. In linear work the deviation is practically negligible; when we connect loads, no matter how big they are, it will not go beyond +-3% (provided that we are talking about quality regulators).
Advantages: voltage stabilized, suitable for most equipment on the market. No flickering or light intensity oscillations in lighting when other equipment is connected at the same time, no damage to equipment due to inadequate voltages.
Disadvantages: does not correct for frequency harmonics in the sine wave. This can generate compatibility problems with certain equipment: machine tools or appliances controlled by digital panels or digital menus, some LED lighting equipment, equipment with power supply diagnostics such as UPS, UPS or similar.
Types of electric generator starting
Automatic start
– Mains failure start-up
What this system does is to detect a failure in the main power supply and make an automated change in the secondary network. In the same way, as soon as it detects that the main grid has been restored, it automatically shuts down the secondary power grid.
For example, you are in a country house and you have a generator with a mains failure start system. Suddenly there is a power line failure and the power goes out. You don’t have to worry about anything at all, as the mains failure start system will detect it and immediately start the generator.
In this way, you will have no interruption in the power supply and you will be able to continue enjoying your time until the power line problem is solved, at which time the mains failure start will detect it and shut down the generator in a fully automated way.
– Solar panels
Solar panels are panels that are placed in places where they can receive enough sunlight for the photovoltaic receivers to charge and transform that light into electrical energy.
So far so good, right? But have you ever wondered what would happen if, due to climatic factors, the solar panels do not receive the necessary amount of light to work? This situation could be a problem if you do not have a backup electric generator.
Yes, just as you read it, this is a duo that works very well to guarantee your electricity supply at any time.
Arranque manual
– On-site start-up
This would be the classic method to start your electric generator, stretching the rope to decompress the engine by holding it for 5 seconds. Here it should be taken into account to leave the air lever open to start the engine more comfortably.
– Remote control start
You could also start your electric generator without getting up with a remote control.
Tipos de generadores eléctricos y usos
Whenever you need off-grid electricity, you will need a generator. Having one at home, especially in rural areas, is a good investment. These are some of its uses:
● Handling power tools in rustic farms and areas far from towns.
● Installing a lighting system in cottages or construction sites.
● Allowing lighting or the use of tools in dwellings on construction sites without an electrical connection.
● Replace your home’s power supply in case of blackouts or network failures.
● To provide the necessary energy in a campsite.
What types are there?
Regardless of the type of engine – diesel or gasoline – generators can be conventional or inverter.
● Conventional generators: for use with electro-portable work machinery, such as drills, concrete mixers, irrigation pumps, etc. If you are also going to use it to power a certain number of light bulbs, choose a conventional generator, suitable for the power you need. It is always advisable to have a good automatic voltage regulation (AVT). All electric generators emit noise due to the exhaust pipe, engine and air flow. Most are subjected to noise level tests at the manufacturing stage to verify legal compliance.
● Inverter generators: they are suitable if you want to connect electronic equipment, such as computers, video, air conditioning, television, etc., as they offer a guarantee of stabilized energy at least similar to that of conventional electricity. Inverter technology avoids voltage deviations of more than 1%. This will prevent damage to the equipment due to sudden changes in voltage. These generators are smaller, weigh less, produce less noise and consume less fuel, since the generator itself regulates its power according to the needs of each appliance.
Selection by power in watts
A power generator will either always work forced or it will not be able to power the equipment we need. On the contrary, an oversized generator will have a double economic disadvantage. First, in its purchase, where we will pay a higher price, and also during its useful life, since we will have an excessive and unnecessary fuel consumption.
In order to calculate our real energy needs, it is essential to know the different appliances we are going to connect and their singularities.
Formula to calculate the watts you need
1) Select the devices you wish to connect at the same time in the attached consumption guide. Then fill in the columns “watts in use” and “additional starting watts” according to the data in this guide.
2) Add up the watts of all the equipment you wish to power and fill in this number in the “total watts in use” column.
Solved example:
|
Equipment or tool |
Watts in use |
Additional starting watts |
|
TV 21” LCD |
60 W |
0 W |
|
Fluorescent 2 ud x 36 W (72 W) |
72 W |
72 W |
|
Sewage treatment plant1 hp |
735 W |
1.470 W |
|
Radio AM/FM |
8 W |
0 W |
|
Microwave |
1.000 W |
0 W |
|
Small electric stove |
1.000 W |
0 W |
|
Videoconsole |
40 W |
0 W |
|
Combi refrigerator |
300 W |
900 W |
2) 3.215 + 1.470 3) = 4.685 4)
3) Higher start-up consumption
4) Maximum consumption, I need a generator that produces at least 4,685 watts of peak power.
In short, buying an electric generator can be a good investment.
