Generator run time without interruption. The most common mistakes in the operation of generators

How long will the generator run without refueling?- many consumers are interested in such a question before buying. This is enough important point, after all, in order to add fuel, it is necessary to turn off the unit and wait for some time until the equipment cools down, because refueling is strictly prohibited when the engine is warm.

How to calculate how long one refueling will last

To find out how many hours the device is able to work, you need to know the amount of fuel that is consumed per hour and the dimensions of the fuel tank. If you divide the volume of the tank by the amount of gasoline or diesel consumed per hour, you will get the exact operating time of the installation. You may ask where to get these measurements. Everything is quite simple, because manufacturers enter these values in the installation documents.

They usually have the following fuel costs:

Equipment with a capacity of up to three kilowatts burns approximately 0.7-1.0 liters of fuel per hour.
More powerful units, respectively, consume from 2 to 2.7 liters of fuel.

Let's give an example so that everyone understands how to calculate the construction time at one gas station. Let's take as an example where the fuel volume is 25 liters, and the fuel consumption per hour is approximately 2.5 liters. It turns out that at one gas station, you can use it for a full 10 hours.

It is worth saying that these are only preliminary calculations, because fuel consumption and operating time depend on many factors, such as fuel quality, temperature environment, other weather and, of course, the level of utilization of the device by consumers.

The more equipment will be connected to the installation, the greater the fuel consumption. The same applies to ambient temperature. If on the street very coldy, then the amount of gasoline or diesel consumed will be 10-15% more.

So it's better to check this characteristic on own experience after the successful acquisition of the generator, since it can please its owner with longer work at one gas station than calculations have shown, or vice versa, spend all the fuel for more a short time. This technique and its work is always unpredictable, even in this matter.

In order for the calculations to be at least approximately justified, the equipment must be kept in a warm room, where there is excellent ventilation, and it will not overheat. Also, do not load the design to the maximum. There should always be 15–20% of power left in reserve.

In this article, we have collected all necessary minimum knowledge about generators, which will allow you not to make a mistake when choosing it.

Before you start choosing a generator, you should clearly define what parameters are most preferable for you. When buying a device, you need to take into account its weight, dimensions, duration of operation, availability of automation, noise level, fuel consumption, power and, of course, price.

How many phases should a generator have?

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand which consumers will be connected to the generator. Only single-phase consumers can be connected to a single-phase power plant. Both single-phase and three-phase can be connected to a three-phase power plant. But this property does not mean that three-phase power plants are always better. It must be remembered that for most generators the maximum permissible load in each phase should not exceed 30%. In practice, this means that you will not be able to remove more than one third of the rated power from a single-phase outlet of a three-phase generator. Those. if a three-phase generator has a rated power of 6 kW, then you can remove no more than 2 kW from a 220 V outlet. In addition, when connecting consumers to three-phase power plants, it is necessary to achieve a uniform distribution of loads across phases.

As a result, it is best to take a three-phase station only when you have a three-phase consumer. If all consumers are single-phase, then in the vast majority of cases it is worth stopping at a single-phase generator.

Power is one of the main parameters to consider when choosing a generator. To determine the required power of the generator, you should check the power of the devices that will be connected to it. It must be taken into account that the power of the generator must exceed the sum of the capacities of all devices connected at the same time, which will work for more than five minutes, by 20-30%. This is due to the fact that the power plant will operate in the most optimal mode only when the load connected to it does not exceed 40-80% of the rated power.

If the generator power is not selected correctly, then you will probably encounter:

overloading the generator and its subsequent stop;
reduced service life due to long work at limit modes;
high fuel consumption.

Having chosen the power correctly, you will get the opportunity to connect previously unforeseen consumers to the network powered by the power plant.

Watts, Volt-Amps and Power Factor

Note that power can be measured in watts (W) and volt-amperes (VA). If the power is indicated in different units in the instructions for the device and in the instructions for the generator, then it is worth bringing both values to a common unit of measure. To convert kVA to kW, the value in volt-amperes must be multiplied by the power factor (cos ȹ).

Let's say we have a power plant with a capacity of 3 kVA and a power factor of 0.8; by making simple calculations, multiplying 3 by 0.8, we find out that the power of this installation is 2.4 kW. Now let's calculate what power vacuum cleaner can be connected to it. Usually (cos ȹ) of a vacuum cleaner is about 0.5. In total, we calculate the power of the vacuum cleaner: 3 × 0.8 × 05 = 1.2 kW.

And what should be the power of the heater, which can be connected to the power plant described above? Since the heater is not reactive, its power factor is more uniform. Multiply: 3 kVA x 0.8 x 1 = 2.4 kW. That is, the power of the heater is the same as the power of the power plant itself.

Resistive, inductive, capacitive…

For the correct selection of the generator it is important to know the resistive, inductive or capacitive devices you are going to use. Resistive devices consume current with active power, simply those that do not have an electric motor. These include heaters, incandescent lamps, cookers. For this type of device, any generator of the appropriate power is suitable, since they completely convert the power consumed into light or heat.

Inductive These are devices that are powered by an electric motor. For example, a compressor, pump or sawmill. This type is characterized by power loss due to winding friction, therefore, only 70% of the initial indicator is used as useful power. Also in inductive devices, additional power is required to start the motor. Therefore, when working with such devices, it is better to have a generator power reserve of about 20%.

In the case of buying a power plant to connect inductive devices to it, you should definitely find out which maximum current she is able to endure.

capacitive devices are the most sensitive consumers of current (for example, professional discharge lamps, flash lamps). To work with such devices use only asynchronous generators.

Starting current

Starting current is the current that occurs for a short period of time after starting equipment equipped with an electric motor. The starting current can be several times higher than the rated power of the unit. The value of this current can be found in the passport of the device. For approximate calculations, you can use the following table:

TV set	1	electric planer	2
cooker	1	Angle grinder (Bulgarian)	2
Coffee maker	1	Grinder	2
Heater	1,2	Electric saw	2
Incandescent lamps	1	Drill	3
Vacuum cleaner	1,2	Boiler, boiler (Boiler)	3,4
Microwave	2	Concrete mixer	3,5
Washing machine	3,5	Perforator	3
A computer	2	Air conditioning	3,5
Fridge	3,3	Submersible pump	7
freezer	3,5	Electric meat grinder	7

How to choose the right power?

Thus, when choosing a generator, you need:

determine what devices you will connect to the generator;
determine the power of these devices (usually this can be read in the instructions or on the devices themselves);
know the coefficients of starting currents for these devices;
based on the type of device and its power, calculate the required power of the unit.

If you cannot find out exactly what power the devices you are going to connect, use the following table of approximate values:

A simple example of generator power calculation

A backup generator is needed for the dacha, so that when the lights are turned off for a couple of days again, the refrigerator does not turn into a foul-smelling box for vegetables and meat, and in the dark you can walk around the rooms without fear of injury. It would also be great to occasionally watch TV and vacuum the floor.

The total power of the devices we have listed will be approximately 1.5-2 kW. Let's consider the type of load that falls on the power source (generator). To do this, let's look at the table of starting currents, and then calculate the required power for the simultaneously connected electricity consumers listed above (we take the maximum values): 0.3kW × 3.3 + 0.2kW (two 100W lamps) × 1 + 0.08kW × 1+0.8kW×1.2= 2.23kW. And since usually the maximum power of a generator (the power it can deliver for a short period of time) usually exceeds its rated power, for our purposes we can take a 2 kW generator with a light heart.

Fuel consumption

Need to determine the fuel consumption for a power plant? You need to know the power of the generator in kW. The consumption in g/kWh multiplied by the generator power in kW gives the consumption in g/h. To get in liters / hour you need to know specific gravity fuel in g / liter (for AI-95 (A-95) approximately 750 g / liter, for diesel fuel 840 g / liter), i.e., divide the consumption in g / hour by the density in g / liter. For example, gasoline consumption is 350 g/kWh. Generator power 5 kW. Those. fuel consumption at full power - 350х5=1750 g/hour. We divide the resulting amount by the density of gasoline (in our case, AI-95) 750 g / liter and get 2.3 l / hour.

When calculating the exact flow rate, it is also worth considering the change in fuel density with a change in external temperature. The tabular fuel density is indicated at nominal temperature (20 degrees Celsius). The lower the temperature, the lower the density.

Synchronous and asynchronous generators

Synchronous generators - have a lower quality of current compared to asynchronous ones, but, nevertheless, they are suitable for emergency power supply of offices, refrigeration plants, equipment country houses, dachas, building objects. Such generators are more resistant to short-term overloads, but are poorly protected from water, dust and dirt, since they draw air through themselves for cooling. The main advantage of such generators is that they perceive peak loads relatively painlessly. Those. for the operation of devices with a reactive load (having an electric motor), a generator of less (compared to asynchronous) power is enough for you.

Asynchronous generators do not tolerate peak loads, but they ensure that the voltage in the network is maintained with high accuracy, therefore, they allow you to connect equipment that is sensitive to voltage drops (for example, medical equipment computers, other electronic devices). source electric current they serve as the residual magnetization of the rotor. Thanks to this principle, asynchronous generators are more durable: they do not require air cooling and their housing is completely closed and protected from moisture and dust. Due to their immunity to short circuits, such generators are an ideal source of power for welding machines. But they are sensitive to overloads and are not suitable for powering power tools and other devices with high starting currents.

What engine do you need?

The engine is the main part of the unit, how long the power plant will last depends on its potential. Engines are petrol, diesel and gas. The service life of an air-cooled generator with a gasoline engine is approximately 500-800 hours for a Chinese gasoline engine, up to 2000 thousand hours for Honda, Briggs & Stratton or Kohler engines. The resource of diesel engines significantly exceeds this indicator and ranges from 2500 hours for an air-cooled engine and 3000 rpm to 20000-30000 for liquid-cooled engines and 1500 rpm. The resource of gas engines is much higher than that of gasoline engines and approximately the same as that of diesel engines. The resource of an air-cooled gas engine is 1500-2000 hours for Chinese engines and about 3000-4000 thousand for Japanese, European and American engines. As for liquid-cooled engines, their service life starts from 10,000 hours for small engines, up to 40,000-50,000 hours for large engines.

Gasoline engines are usually used on medium and small power generators. Cheap generator, low resource. This is a great option if electricity is rarely lost. Diesel engines are used for backup power supply medium and high power. Quite an expensive generator with a good resource. Most often used in the construction or reserve of large facilities. Gas is ideal for backup power supply to homes and industries. Gas generators are more expensive than gasoline generators and cost about the same as diesel generators. But unlike both, they have serious advantages: if there is a main gas pipeline, the cost of 1 kW / h will be cheaper than that of gasoline and diesel ones, which means that with intensive operation, the generator will pay off much faster. In addition, for liquid-cooled gas generators, the cost of 1 kWh (taking into account the cost of the station and the cost of its maintenance) is always lower than the cost of 1 kWh from the city network. On average, this is from 1.5 to 3 rubles per 1 kW / h. And this is not to mention the fact that the gas engine is noticeably more environmentally friendly than both gasoline and diesel. For example, when working on methane, the smell of exhaust gases is practically not felt and for country house it is important.

Operating mode

Properly determining the operating mode of the generator will allow the most efficient use of its resource.

ENGINE'S TYPE	MOTORRESURS	BENEFITS	MODE OF USE
Gasoline engines with air cooling, 3000 rpm	700-2000 m/h	Lowest Cost watt/ruble ratio. Low noise and vibration.	Backup or emergency source power supply, during operation up to 100 hours per year. Or how constant source for up to 2 months.
Diesel engines with air cooling, 3000 rpm	2500-3000 m/h	Twice as much resource as for gasoline engines air cooling. Low drop response loads. Reliable start.	Emergency power supply for use in areas where there is no gasoline or for emergency work.
cooling, 3000 rpm	7000-10000 m/h	Rapid engine warm-up before connecting the load. Reliable start.	Backup power supply, at Operation up to 1000 hours per year. Or as a constant source for a period up to 6-9 months.
Diesel engines with liquid cooled, 1500 rpm	15000-20000 m/h	High motor resource. Economical. Low noise and vibration. reliable start.	Reserve and permanent source of supply on the long time(about 10 and 2 years respectively).
Gas engines with air cooling, 3000 rpm	1500-4000 m/h	High motor resource, fast engine warm-up. Low cost kW/h.	Backup power supply with low cost kW/h.
Gas engines with liquid cooled, 1500 rpm	10000-40000 m/h	High motor resource. Price 1 kWh lower than the main grid.	Backup or permanent source power supply. In constant mode operation pays off from 7 to 15 months.

All data presented in the table is approximate and does not apply to a specific power plant.

Fuel safety

It is important to remember that long-term storage gasoline (more than 6 months) deteriorates its properties, which can lead to loss of power or even engine failure. Do not forget to change it every 3-4 months if you do not use the generator. Diesel fuel is more resistant to long-term storage.

Generator for giving

Which generator to choose for a summer residence? First of all, you need to decide what total power the appliances in your house consume. Above we calculated minimum required power, for "medium" country house- 2 kW. But you don’t want to calculate watts every time, but even limiting yourself, but use all the main electrical appliances at home. In practice, for a house in which 4 people live, the optimal generator power is 4-5 kW. It will be enough for the basic household appliances at home (you can even forget that in the entire holiday village, no one but you has electricity).

What is better, save money and take a device from China, or still lay out the required amount and buy a European / Japanese-made generator? The answer is not as obvious as it might seem at first glance. First of all, it depends on how often the generator will work. Engine resource modern generator Chinese production is 1-1.5 thousand hours. If electricity is turned off a couple of times a month for 6 hours, then you yourself can easily calculate that with such an intensity of operation, the resource will last for 15 years. If for the foreseeable years a budget generator can easily meet your needs, is it worth overpaying for a better one and therefore an expensive) brand? It's up to you, but I don't think it makes much sense.

When you can not save on the generator? First of all, when you plan to use it extremely intensively. For example, electricity is supplied only intermittently and the generator will run every day for several hours. In this case, the quality of the generator, the reliability of its operation, fully pays off the money spent on it.

Generator for welding machine

The correct selection of a generator for a welding machine must take into account a huge number of different data, such as the maximum welding current, power, current curve, etc. of the welding machine. The starting currents of the welding machine are so aggressive and instantaneous that the fuses of the generator do not have time to melt and the alternator burns out. For simplicity and reliability, the power of the generator should be chosen three times greater than the power of the welding machine. There is also a second way. Before connecting the welding machine to the generator, turn the welding current to a minimum and only then connect it to the generator. It should be borne in mind that a 5 kW generator is ready to withstand a welding current within 160A. Increasing current higher given value increases the chance of generator failure.

Price-quality ratio

Planning a serious purchase always involves finding the best value for money. To date, high-quality units, a good assortment, the highest quality, but not very democratic prices are famous for electric generators produced in countries such as France, Germany, the USA and Japan (SDMO, Endress, Generac). This is high quality and reliable equipment. But don't discount generators made in China. Some brands are closely approaching their European / Japanese / American counterparts in quality and reliability (for example, Ergomax,

If we talk about specialization, then it is better if it is a company that is engaged exclusively in the production of generator sets. Since this kind of business is highly specialized, do not count on the fact that you will be able to find a company name that is on everyone's lips. It is also worth considering that low-power units manufactured by branded companies can be unreasonably expensive. Make sure that the generator company has quality certificates and its products meet world standards.

Before you buy an electric generator, think about how competent you are in this matter. If you are tormented by doubts, it is better to seek help from a specialist. If you know exactly what you want, take into account the parameters of the device you need, study the market and decide on the price - do not forget to think about possible repairs in advance and carefully check the warranty documents when buying.

Example of a generator set room

Today, generators are used everywhere, not only in the field of industry or construction, but also in the field of household purpose. These installations can be used as a backup or permanent power supply. And the most important question for buyers is how long such a unit can provide electricity to connected loads, as well as how to extend this period without harming the generator itself or the equipment connected to it. But first you need to find out what features distinguish different types of electrical energy generation devices.

gasoline generator

Equipped with engines with cast iron or aluminum cylinders. The first ones are especially popular, as they are able to provide an engine life of 3-5 thousand hours. The second ones are more affordable, but their reserve of operation is only a few hundred hours. The advantage of a gasoline engine is the economy of fuel and oil consumption, as well as a reduced noise level and environmental friendliness. These advantages are especially relevant, since gasoline has a higher cost, and they are used without a protective casing, in close proximity to the home or the operator who conducts repair work by connecting tools to the generator.

Gasoline power generation devices, as a rule, are used as a backup power source, as well as during field trips and during various works in field conditions. Inexpensive, lightweight and compact, they are ideal for occasional use. But for regular launch as the main source of electricity, and even for long periods of operation, such generators are not very profitable. Models of gas generators, basically, have a power consumption in the range of 2-15 kW, which is considered low and medium. The duration of continuous work is also low: from 2 to 15 hours. To increase the period of continuous operation, you can use a reduced power consumption, although this figure is not uniform. That is, with a rated power of 6 kW, using actually only 3 kW, it is possible to increase the duration of the generator by just a couple of hours. To increase the overall operating capacity of the generator, high-quality care is necessary, correct installation and connection. After all, this will reduce the wear of the mechanical parts of the device.

Diesel generators

Diesel generators are equipped with low-speed and high-speed drives. Most often, the design provides for a liquid cooling system, which allows the unit to be used for a long time. An important difference between diesel generators is the increased cost, but on the other hand, they can have a larger power reserve, as well as the applied diesel fuel significantly cheaper than gasoline. High-speed generators are cheaper, but they have all the disadvantages that are presented in gasoline models. First of all, this is a reduced motor resource. At the same time, diesel units emit high level noise, and they are also less environmentally friendly. The period of continuous operation of such units cannot exceed two days, which is significantly higher compared to gasoline units, but less than low-speed units. These stations are profitable to buy when calculating the operation of no more than 600 hours in one year. Low-speed generators are expensive, but they can withstand the highest possible loads and can be used for intensive use. The engines of such installations are more economical in terms of fuel consumption, and the period of continuous operation is very long. Accordingly, these generators are very convenient in industrial and construction sites, suitable for providing electricity, as a main source, hospital, car service or large office. All diesel generators produced in a fairly wide range of power consumption. You can purchase compact 12 kW models or bulky, but super-productive 300 kW models. Robust construction, simplicity and safety in operation make this type of power plant very popular.

The scheme of the device of a power plant or gas generator is quite simple and reliable to serve without fail. long years. But for almost any model there is a negative review from a user who is faced with a premature breakdown of the generator. The statistics of service centers show that a generator breakdown is most often associated not with factory defects or poor-quality production, but with a violation of the operating mode.

There is important rules operation, the violation of which leads to a decrease in work efficiency, a decrease in resource, and sometimes to annoying breakdowns. How to avoid a visit to the service? Commissioning.

Running in.
Despite the fact that the instructions indicate the need to run in a new generator, these recommendations are often neglected. The new engine needs a little time to grind the rubbing pairs (the first 20 hours of operation will be enough for this). Many people make the mistake of running the generator without load, this is also wrong. Correct Mode break-in - from 30% to 50% of the load. After working in this mode, it is required to change the oil, in which metal microparticles accumulate. Now the generator is ready for long and hard work!

Work without tilt.
It is important to install the generator on a level, level surface. And it's not just a security requirement. The fact is that in the engines used, oil is sprayed by a connecting rod, and with a significant inclination of the generator, the connecting rod can spray inefficiently, which will lead to oil starvation, wear and breakage. Do not transport the generator on its side, as this may flood the combustion chamber with oil and even seize the engine.

Motor oil.
Check the oil level regularly. By the way, if the generator suddenly does not start, first of all, check the oil level. Perhaps this protection of the station protects the owner from a mistake. Generators Denzel are equipped with an emergency system that does not allow them to start when the oil level is low.

When the oil level drops, you only need to add it of the same brand that was filled in at the beginning. The additive packages that make up the oil are different for each manufacturer, and there is no guarantee of their compatibility.

Quality and fresh fuel.
The generator, like a car, requires refueling with high-quality fuel. Despite the fact that the design of the engine and carburetor of generators is relatively simple, filling low-quality fuel can lead to starting difficulties, fuel filter contamination, loss of power, and even failure of fuel equipment.
It is important that the fuel stays fresh. Drain the fuel from the tank for extended periods of inactivity. To prevent fuel from remaining in the carburetor, run it out by turning off the fuel cock and waiting for the engine to stop.
It is optimal to have fuel no more than a month old. Long-term storage results in separation of fuel components, additives and fuel evaporation.
Remember, it’s not worth waiting for a confident start on gasoline that has stood all winter in the tank.
Refuel your generator with fresh, clean fuel from trusted sources.

External influences and environment
Denzel generators are protected from external influences according to the protection class IP23 (GOST 14254). This means that the equipment is protected from falling into the structure. small items and drops of water falling vertically or at an angle up to 60 degrees to the vertical.

But in case of heavy or slanting rain, it is worth taking care of additional protection. If the generator gets wet, remove the moisture before starting work or before sending it to storage.
At an ambient temperature of more than 30 ° C, take short breaks in operation to cool the engine at least once every 4 hours, this will save its engine life.
To ensure adequate engine cooling, it is important that the cylinder fins are not contaminated. Regularly remove the dirt that forms on the engine during operation.
In case of heavy dust, check and clean the air filters more often than the regulations.
If the generator is located in an enclosed area, make sure there is adequate ventilation. It is important not only to organize the removal of exhaust gases, but also to ensure the flow of fresh air.

Operation at a load below 25% of the rated power.

For an ordinary user, the mechanism of equipment breakdown under excessive loads is quite understandable, but for generators, operation at a load below 25% is just as scary. It's important to know that optimal mode work for the generator is 80-85% of the load.

When idling, engine parts such as spark plugs and pistons suffer. Soot and soot deposits form on them, which can further lead to a breakdown of the generator.

The documentation usually states that operation below the optimum quarter load is prohibited, and usually indicates the number of hours allowed per year when such operation is due to an emergency.

And we must not forget about the economic component of the use of technology. So, with a minimum load for a long time, work will be economically unprofitable, because fuel consumption does not decrease in proportion to the decrease in load. The generator must maintain a constant speed of 3000 rpm even with minimal load to maintain the frequency of the current, which means that fuel consumption will not decrease significantly.

When operating at or above rated power, the generator experiences maximum loads to the nodes of the structure. It is especially important that in the event of a sudden increase in consumption, even a short-term one, the generator no longer has a power reserve, and the protection can disconnect the consumer from the generator. When calculating required power generator, it is not enough just to sum up all the power of electrical appliances that are planned to be connected. Many electrical appliances and tools (especially those equipped with electric motors) at the time of switching on require several times more energy than in normal mode. The so-called "starting current" of highly loaded consumers can exceed the rated current by 2-8 times. The most dangerous devices in terms of starting loads are refrigerators, compressors and pumping stations as well as power tools.

That is, the generator must also have a power reserve at the same time, and at the same time it should not be redundant.

Generator engines Denzel selected with a power reserve, which allows you to carry maximum loads without risk, but for them, operation in the optimal load range will have a positive effect on the overall resource.

Knowing these simple rules and observing them, you will not only avoid sudden breakdowns, but also be able to significantly increase the engine life. And even having exhausted the engine resource, which happens sooner or later, the generator Denzel it will be possible to return to work, replacing the piston rings, carbon brushes and checking the fuel hoses and rubber seals if necessary.

Many manufacturers of household and portable power plants on the packaging or equipment case like to indicate incredibly high performance generator power. At the same time, only in small print in the instructions in the mark with an asterisk indicate that this is the maximum peak power, theoretically calculated on the basis of the magnitude of short-term current overloads or starting currents. Asian manufacturers of generators, who are not particularly shy about slightly exaggerating the merits of the equipment they produce, sin especially with such marketing tricks.

The meaning of advice number 1 - base your choice and load your generator, focusing only on the passport value of the rated power of the generator or on the power that the power plant provides in long-term operation.

Council number 2. Provide the generator with the necessary supply of oil and filters

The interval for changing oil and filters in a power plant is quite short and at the same time depends to a very large extent on the intensity and degree of load on the generator. Since it is often difficult to predict how long the generator will be used as a standby or emergency source of electricity during a power outage, at least minimum stock oil and filters for one change will allow you to stay in a critical situation with a working generator.

The meaning of advice number 2. As a general rule, generator manufacturers recommend that the first oil change be done after 25 hours of generator operation, and subsequent changes every 50-60 hours. Please note that this particular oil and filter change period may come during a critical situation, when the uninterrupted operation of the generator becomes vital. Otherwise, instead of liquidation negative consequences lack of electricity, in the presence of a working generator, you will be forced to sit without electricity or run around shops or acquaintances in search of consumables.

Council number 3. Cool the engine of the power plant before refueling the generator

After running the generator continuously for several hours, many owners of the power plant immediately grab the can of fuel to refill the generator's fuel tank to the brim, which immediately makes at least two gross mistakes!

Most small-sized domestic and portable power plants are equipped with fuel tanks in the upper part of the body, so that the fuel will automatically fall into the carburetor due to gravity. Imagine what it would be like to refuel a generator if, in a critical situation, your hand trembles and fuel spills onto a hot engine, or you fill the container with gasoline in the dark and it flows down the tank onto a hot engine or exhaust system. And at this time, there is a fuel tank above the hot parts of the power plant, and you, bending over the generator, hold a canister with a combustible substance!

The meaning of advice number 3. Allow the generator to cool down for at least 15 minutes before refueling. You can survive a quarter of an hour without electricity, but at the same time you will protect yourself and your loved ones from a fiery hell! At the same time, do not forget the accompanying rules when filling the fuel tank - do not rush, be sure to illuminate the work when refueling at night and in no case pour fuel into the generator tank to the brim.

Most common cause failure of all generators - poor quality fuel. Since almost all owners of generators keep power plants in the event of an emergency in a refueled state, even the highest quality fuel begins to lose its properties after a while - it decomposes, loses its most volatile fractions, fuel system moisture accumulates, lacquer deposits and sparingly soluble precipitation fall out. Therefore, manufacturers recommend initially using only fresh high-quality fuel, or at least adding a special stabilizer to it, which protects it from decomposition for a long time.

The meaning of advice number 4. For the operation of the generator, of course, a certain supply of fuel is necessary, but it is highly desirable not to store it for a very long time in the fuel tank of the generator. If you do not plan to use the power plant for a long time, empty the fuel tank of a cold generator and start the engine until it has exhausted the remaining fuel from the fuel system.

No matter how attractive it would be to plug the generator into the outlet of an apartment or a private house using an adapter or a cord with two plugs and thereby ensure the operation of all electrical equipment in the room, do not do this under any circumstances! It is dangerous for the life of not only your loved ones, but even distant neighbors from the opposite house! The power of even a small generator is enough to kill your neighbor or an electrician doing repairs on power lines.

The meaning of advice number 5. Use either separate extension cords for connection from the standby generator, or use fixed emergency wiring in the room that is not connected in any way to the central power lines. Practice shows that in living conditions do not play around with the various automatic transfer schemes that are used on industrial equipment because it is either too dangerous or too expensive.

Tip #6 Store Generator Fuel Safely

Throughout the civilized world, the maximum allowable fuel storage standards at home are established. We have not reached this point yet, and we have more problems with providing high-quality fuel and lubricants, so this advice is purely advisory in nature, based on international experience in the operation of household and portable generators.

When forming a supply of fuel and oil for the operation of the generator, the thought “the more the better” does not justify itself at all. For example, it is strongly not recommended to use large canisters with a capacity of more than 20 liters for storing gasoline. The reasons are simple:

When filling the generator fuel tank from a heavy and bulky container, there is a high probability of spilling or overflowing fuel. That is, it is dangerous and inconvenient.
A long period during which fuel and lubricants will be produced from a large reserve tank can lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of fuel or oil.

The meaning of advice number 6. It is better to store fuel and lubricants in two or even three small canisters than in one large one! Refueling is more convenient and safer, and the fuel supply can be quickly replenished or replaced with a new one!

Tip #7 Use grounding and only high-quality wires to connect the load

Life shows that many of our compatriots, acquiring an expensive power plant, are trying in every possible way to save on wires, and they generally consider the need to ground the generator as nothing meaningful requirement manufacturer.

Why you should not save on wires:

Most often, the generator is used under open sky, respectively, moisture, sun and heat or frost affect the wires. The cross section of the wires must withstand a load of 25% -30% more than the maximum power of the generator, and the cable insulation must withstand negative impact environment and be resistant to the influence of fuels and lubricants used in the generator.
The cross-section and length of the cable must ensure the maximum removal of the generator from the residential area. Even the most expensive and high-quality generator is still quite a noisy device with toxic exhaust gases that you should not breathe even in the absence of a central power supply. At the same time, manufacturers recommend limiting the generator to a distance of about 30 meters from people - so the negative impact of noise, vibration and exhaust gases will be minimal, but at the same time the power plant will remain under the complete visual control of the owner.

Why you should not save on grounding:

Automatic generator protection provides for load disconnection only in case of a short circuit or excess current load above the maximum allowable. In the event of a breakdown of electricity on the case, without grounding, circuit breakers unable to perform the protective functions assigned to them.
For stable and safe operation of electrical equipment from a generator, it is necessary to have a clean zero, which cannot be achieved without grounding.

The meaning of advice number 7. Don't save on quality wires and grounding. Cables with good gauge wires with reinforced insulation and modular pin grounding do not cost so much to save on the safety of your family or on repairs of electrical equipment connected to the generator.

In this article, we have already recommended that the generator be located at some distance from crowded places. However, such a distance from the owner of the generator can provoke thieves to steal an expensive portable power plant. The means of protection is simple - just fasten the frame of the power plant to some stationary mount or massive structure. For these purposes, you can, of course, use a standard U-shaped lock with a quick-release bike mount, but it is best to purchase a steel chain with a reliable padlock Full construction.

The meaning of advice number 8. In the event of a massive power outage, not only you will want to stay with the light, but also various dubious personalities who are not stopped from stealing the ownership of the generator. The chain and lock combined cost a paltry sum of money compared to the cost of a power plant. If you follow the advice and equip the generator installation site with modular grounding, you will already have a great place to fix the generator. It is best in such cases to use a piece sewer pipe with lid painted to match the color of the lawn. Inside, you can place the output of the ground loop, and use a powerful lawn anchor to fasten the chain.