Over 12 million people work in the manufacturing industry in the United States. The manufacturing sector of the economy covers a broad range of products, including consumer goods, parts, and raw materials.
An important aspect of manufacturing is keeping the lights on. To keep a facility running smoothly during a power outage, a backup generator ensures production doesn’t stall.
Manufacturing processes rely heavily on machinery powered by electricity, so consistent power is essential to any manufacturing facility.
If a power outage occurs in a manufacturing facility with no backup power, the consequences can be catastrophic. In addition to keeping production running without interruption, a backup generator can help prevent material waste.
From fabrication shops to commercial production plants, backup power is crucial to any manufacturing business. Read on to learn about the benefits of backup generators in manufacturing!
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Types of Manufacturing
Nearly every product and material people buy involves some form of manufacturing.
Manufacturers may produce raw materials such as lumber or mining. Other manufacturers use raw materials to produce finished items for sale.
No matter what kind of manufacturing a business does, they have to be prepared for power outages. The kind of backup power a facility needs depends on the kind of manufacturing.
Agriculture
Agricultural manufacturing involves the planting, cultivation, and harvesting of any plant. The economy of every nation relies on agriculture.
Because fruits, grains, and vegetables are essential food sources, agricultural manufacturers have to operate without interruption. In the event of a power outage, a farm can experience many problems with a crop.
In today’s farming economy, many of the processes are automated and require electricity. Things like watering, tilling, and feeding are often automatic.
A reliable crop depends on consistent care. A power outage of even an hour can devastate an entire harvest.
An extended power outage can even shut down harvesting completely. Because of the amount of land a farm can occupy, portable generators are a good choice for agriculture.
Many farms aren’t connected to a power grid at all and require a generator to run constantly.
Mining
Many of the raw materials our products are made from come from mining facilities. Any kind of stone, metal, or mineral generally involves mining.
Mining companies don’t choose where deposits of natural resources occur. As a result, they have to construct mining facilities around the location of deposits.
Because of the lack of control over the location of mines, mining facilities can be extremely remote. Mines usually have to construct their own power grids, which rely on generators.
Any mine that produces natural gas can use some of the fuel to power its generator system. Some coal mines can use naturally occurring methane to power their grid.
For other kinds of mines, diesel generators are a popular choice.
Construction
Construction sites can often rely on heavy equipment that uses large amounts of power. Depending on the scale of the construction project, the terrain can make it difficult to set up a generator.
To quickly establish a power supply, construction projects can use generators on wheels. Mobile generators have the capacity for rugged wheels that can handle rough terrain.
For construction projects that take place over longer periods, a stationary commercial generator may be necessary.
When a building gets closer to completion, the team can connect it to the power grid. However, a backup generator is still important to keep the construction steady.
Production
Production facilities either create parts or products for end users. These companies often use huge amounts of power to keep an array of heavy machinery running.
When the power goes out at a factory or plant, it affects productivity in several ways.
Most of the workers are unable to do their job without power, resulting in the company paying them for downtime. A power outage can also damage materials that are only partially complete.
In extreme cases, a sudden blackout can damage machines when they can’t power down properly. Heavy equipment often requires a cooldown period to prevent damage from overheating.
Some facilities have to keep materials at certain temperatures, such as food plants. If storage requires temperature control, a power outage can ruin a facility’s inventory.
Because production facilities are usually close to urban centers, they generally have access to the power grid. This type of business usually relies on larger commercial generators for backup power.
To prevent even a momentary loss of power, the best choice for factories and plants is a standby generator. This kind of generator automatically switches the facility over to backup power during a blackout.
Importance of Backup Generators
Manufacturers have to have backup power to prevent the loss of income and even safety hazards. There are several ways a backup generator can benefit a manufacturing business.
Power Outage Frequency
Studies have found that power outages have increased by 78% over the past ten years.
Due to weather patterns becoming more erratic, and increased strain on the power grid, blackouts are more common than ever. Things like downed power lines, heatwaves, or fallen trees can cause unexpected power outages.
Although the electrical grid has become more efficient, it can’t keep up with the increased demand. It’s more important than at any time in history for production facilities to have reliable backup power.
Productivity
Power outages can hurt productivity on several fronts. Not only can machinery stop running, but any kind of computer equipment can also lose data during a blackout.
In addition to stopping production, sudden blackouts can result in workers having to redo lost work. Throughout a power outage, many employees may be left with nothing to do until power is restored.
To prevent wasted labor, a backup generator can keep a facility going if the power goes out.
Safety
In some facilities, a power outage can even pose safety risks to employees.
For example, many facilities generate hazardous fumes that get removed by industrial ventilators. It’s essential to keep these machines running during an emergency to protect workers.
In some facilities, the lighting helps workers perform their duties safely. A backup generator will ensure the facility stays lit.
Another hazard is the risk of security equipment losing power. Security measures like cameras, alarm systems, and other equipment rely on a consistent power supply.
Inventory
Many manufacturers rely on electricity to properly store their materials and data. Power outages can cause permanent damage to perishable goods and computer data.
To keep these assets safe, a backup generator will prevent extended power loss.
Types of Backup Generators
Each kind of manufacturing facility relies on a different kind of backup generator. The type of backup power a facility needs depends on a few factors.
Natural Gas
One of the more recently developed kinds of fuel is natural gas. Natural gas is a popular fuel source for a few reasons:
- Natural gas burns cleaner than other fuel sources
- The fuel produces much less noise
- Natural gas prices are generally stable
Despite its advantages, natural gas has its drawbacks as well. It doesn’t produce as much energy as fossil fuels, and it presents safety risks if handled improperly.
Natural gas can cause suffocation, fires, or explosions in the event of a leak. As long as facilities use natural gas properly, it can be an appealing fuel source for backup generators.
Diesel
Diesel is the most commonly used fuel source for backup generators. Because it is less volatile than gasoline, it is a safe and steady alternative.
Diesel is also one of the most efficient fuel sources. Because diesel can be stored safely, many facilities keep a large supply onsite in preparation for extended power outages.
Portable
Portable generators are a good choice for remote or short-term manufacturing jobs. Larger commercial portable generators can provide a large supply of power for extended periods.
Because teams can easily move portable generators, they work well for construction jobs that don’t take a long time.
Standby
Larger facilities, usually connected to power grids, have to be prepared for a blackout to keep production running smoothly. A standby generator switches the power supply if the power goes out to prevent any equipment from losing power.
A standby generator can provide hours or days of power after just seconds.
Make Sure Production Doesn’t Stop
For any manufacturing company, a backup generator can help prevent damage, safety hazards, and productivity loss. Backup generators can supply power to remote facilities disconnected from the power grid as well.
Backup power can also be a permanent fixture in a stationary facility connected to the grid. With power outages more frequent than ever, manufacturers need backup power, so production doesn’t stop.
Swift Equipment Solutions is based in Houston and supplies new and used generators nationwide. Contact us today to learn more about backup power for your facility!
FAQs About Backup Generators for Manufacturing Facility
How often should a backup generator be tested in a manufacturing facility?
Ideally, a backup generator should be tested at least once a month to ensure it is in proper working order and ready to be used in the event of a power outage. Also, it’s important to perform regular maintenance and follow the servicing guidelines of the generator.
What factors should be considered when selecting a backup generator for a manufacturing facility?
There are several factors to consider when selecting a backup generator for a manufacturing facility, including:
- Power requirements: It’s important to choose a generator that can meet the power needs of the manufacturing facility. This will depend on the size and type of equipment being used, as well as the overall power demand of the facility.
- Fuel type: Different types of generators run on different fuels, such as diesel, natural gas, or propane. Consider the availability and cost of the fuel source, as well as the environmental impact of the generator.
- Size and weight: The size and weight of the generator should be appropriate for the space available at the manufacturing facility.
- Maintenance and support: Consider the availability of maintenance for the generator like the availability of parts and tech support.
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