Industrial Generator Buyers Guide

An industrial natural gas backup generator and natural gas powered generator is a big investment – one worthy of significant consideration. At the end of the day, an industrial installment will power your company when all else fails. Capable of powering entire infrastructures, industrial generators provide incredible control over in-store items, accessories production processes and assets.

From a commercial standpoint, you’re better off purchasing a flexible, up-to-date and consistent generator capable of optimizing your workplace. While every industry has its own needs, most benefit from either a new or used diesel generator. A used natural gas backup generator, too, can be efficient in businesses seeking fuel efficiency. Before selecting a provider — whether it be Caterpillar or Cummins or the like — you should understand the ins and outs of generator purchase.

What Does Your Business Need?

Your business needs a multi-purpose industrial installment. Industrial generators support air compressors, power tools, industrial robotics, lighting systems and entire computing centers. While landscaping, mining and agriculture, too, are benefited by an industrial installation, your assets should be a power priority.

Again, manufacturers like Cummins and Caterpillar offer a variety of new and used diesel generator options—even extending to a wide used natural gas generator selection. While Cummins and Caterpillar are incredibly popular, other providers can offer a similar amount of flexibility. Many businesses simply select these brands due to their incredible parts and service options. That said, you should make an initial decision based upon the following considerations:

Emission Levels of Commercial Generators

Your business may need an industrial generator with a “green mode,” which reduces emissions alongside your business’s carbon footprint. Beware, however, as generators with low emissions may require smaller tank sizes and impact running times.

Fuel Options for commercial generators

If your company needs to maintain high power levels for extended use, you should consider a diesel-powered model equipped with a large tank. Large tanks maintain workplace productivity, and you’ll need to balance re-fueling costs with your generator’s tank needs.

Safety for Industrial Generator

Regardless of your choice, you’ll need to make safety a priority. If your workplace is small and enclosed, a generator producing high amounts of noise and exhaust may not be a good idea. Similarly, your generator will need to abide by industry safety standard and be placed within safe distance of you work area.

Types of Commercial Generators

Industrial generators are costly. That said, you will have a little wiggle room, price-wise, when selecting a product. Fortunately, industrial generators carry significant cost flexibility due to commercial value, bulk purchases and better credit options.

The Natural Gas Backup Generator

A new or used natural gas driven generator utilizes stored natural gas to create electricity. Engine-powered natural gas generators can be hooked into your business’s line via your local utility company. Unlike other engine-powered generators, natural gas generators don’t burn liquid. Rather, they combust gaseous fuel to reduce overall costs. In general, natural gas fluctuates less—offsetting up-front costs by as much as 10 to 20 percent.

The Diesel Powered Generator

Diesel driven generators can be pricey. The price, in most cases, is justified by their immense size and power capabilities. Often, industrial generators used to run workplace devices—like computers, HVAC services, freezers and security systems—cost between $25,000 and $100,000. If, however, you need a fuel-powered generator capable of powering a back-stock warehouse, you may need to pay up to $125,000. The price, again, is justified—as high-end commercial generators can save infrastructure power, run entire hospitals and maintain large freezers.

The Caterpillar G3516 generator, here, is an excellent choice. Either a new or used diesel generator is a massive benefit to commercial establishments, or the Caterpillar G3516 generator utilizes the brand’s own Electronic Ignition System to generate high-quality spark timing for diesel fuel optimization.

Cost of Commercial Generator

Industrial generator prices are varied. Typically, a standby backup generator used for small work areas will cost about $22,000. Such generators will power workplace air conditioning units, water heaters and refrigerators.

A large generator, needed to power an entire industrial warehouse, will cost approximately $125,000. These generators can power industrial freezers, high-powered machinery and entire premises infrastructures.

Generator Specifications

To determine what generator type you need, you’ll need to determine which power options best suit your business’s needs. Here, you should consider voltage and wattage.

Voltage

Voltage is a generator’s maximum amount of potential energy used on a circuit. Generators offer three voltage phases: 120, 240 and 120/240.

Wattage

Wattage is the total number of amps and volts produced by a generator—multiplied together. Often, this information can be located via your manufacturer’s specification sheet, an owner’s manual or the machine’s data plate.

To determine the size of generator your business needs, add up the number of needed watts. Then, select a generator covering this range. Size isn’t determined by height, width or length. Rather, it’s standardized by how many watts a generator can create. In general, different fuel types impact overall watt range. Diesel generators can produce twice as many kilowatts than natural gas generators. If you need more power, you’ll need a diesel-powered generator.

Industrial Generator Features

Next, you’ll need to consider additional generator options to maximize your business’s efficiency, safety and longevity. The common generator features below are all useful, but each may be particularly important to your business:

LCD and LED Displays

Several generators have LCD and LED displays, status bars and navigable menus. Light-up displays and notification lights will make nighttime use safer, easier and more predictable. During daytime hours, LCD and LED displays will display fuel levels and oil notifications.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring features will track your generator’s performance. This feature is incredibly useful for businesses using generators consistently, as remotely monitored generators can be micromanaged for fuel efficiency. Typically, online support is provided alongside a remote monitoring feature, so a staff can easily track fuel expenses.

Safety Switches

Some generators include automatic shut-off switches. Safety switches are incredibly important to have on emergency back-up generators, as a back-up generator without a safety switch may blow out a circuit as it comes on. Transfer switches, meanwhile, monitor voltages traveling across a circuit. If an interruption occurs, a transfer switch can immediately activate a generator’s power before shutting it down.

Mounting Pads

You may opt to purchase a generator with a mounting pad. A mounting pad is a concrete divider, placed beneath a generator, which adds extra protection. If your workplace needs to place a generator outside, a mounting pad is a must-have purchase, protecting your generator from grass, mud, snow and rainfall.

Enclosures

A generator enclosure similarly serves to protect the generator, itself. Capable of withstanding bad weather, rubble and day-to-day dirt, an enclosure can store a generator for long periods of time. Made of aluminum or steel, generator enclosures are incredibly useful for protecting industrial generators operated outdoors.

The Automatic Start Option

When picking a generator, you should make sure it’s outfitted for automatic starting. Many industrial generators carry this attribute—an attribute which is slowly becoming an industry commonplace. Automatic start generators kick in immediately, creating a seamless transition when disaster strikes. For this reason, they’re selected by emergency services incapable of withstanding even a moment’s loss of power.

So, at the end of the day, a generator with automatic start is a quality selection for a commercial establishment. Choose your model wisely, and contact Swift today to check an expansive inventory outfitted for any scenario.