Need More than a 20kw Generator can Provide? A peek at Larger Units and Who Needs Them
Air-cooled standby generators top out at 20 kilowatts, that is a little more than 83 amperes at 240 volts. Most new homes have 200-amp service. Generally speaking, most homes avoid the use of how much power their service is capable of supplying, and seldom come close―most of the time. Actually, most homes don’t exceed 80 amperes except for short periods or when large motors on air conditioning units or well pumps start. From the 1940s to the 1970s, 60-ampere service was usual and 100-ampere service became common in the 1970s.
With power management features available for most residential standby generators, as well as conservative power use practices, most homes could work comfortably on 20 kilowatts or a reduced amount of standby power.
Higher Power Requirements
Larger homes have higher power requirements. It is not uncommon to wish 300- and 400-amp service in large homes, and the largest luxury homes are now and again given even larger electrical service. They’ve got multiple, high-capacity air conditioning units and furnaces, plus general, larger appliances. Power use exceeding 20 kilowatts is the normal, everyday a higher level use in these homes.
Smaller businesses and manufacturing facilities are also higher users of electricity. In the matter of larger facilities, multiple standby generators are often used to produce enough standby electricity simply to supply emergency systems which don’t include everyday operational requirements.
Liquid Cooled Generators
Liquid-cooled standby generators use engines just like those within cars. There is a fan-cooled radiator stuffed with coolant that is pumped through the engine to cool it. As they do not count on the ambient air temperature to directly cool the engine, and also, since their air conditioning system is active instead of passive, they have less issue with overheating and provide more reliable operation.
Standby generators of this type can be found with as much as 60 kilowatts of power for residential use, and bigger models all the way to 150 kilowatts for commercial use. A capacity of 60kW can provide around 250 amperes of current continuously, enough to keep most luxury homes operating without the need for judicious using power.
The larger, commercial standby models will handle the needs of most commercial facilities and may supply electricity restaurants, offices, apartments, and retail facilities. Facilities that require more power can install multiple units.
Manufacturers
For residential use, Generac Power Systems manufacturers the QuietSource type of home standby generators. The QuietSource models are available in 22, 27, 36 and 48 kilowatts, enough power for the majority of larger and luxury homes. QuietSource generators include models in 240-volt single-phase, 208-volt three-phase, and 480-volt three-phase standby power.
Generac’s Commercial compilation of liquid-cooled standby generators include 22 to 150 kilowatt models for business or commercial use and are available in 240, 208, or 480 volt models both in single and three-phase configurations. Models with steel or aluminum enclosures can be found.
Briggs & Stratton has three models available for entire home standby power in 35, 45, and 60 kilowatts to power the largest of luxury homes during a power outage. With this type of power available, there’s no need to forgo any one of life’s necessities or conveniences.
Considerations
Homes that count on high-demand electric appliances like ranges, dryers, hot water heaters, well pumps, electric heating, and central air conditioning units might require more power than an air-cooled standby generator can provide without extensive management and careful usage of power. These homeowners should look into a greater, liquid cooled generator.
Businesses and commercial operations ought to have the reliability and better power advantages that larger, liquid-cooled standby generators can provide.
For more information on these great brands, please go to: www.NPSGenerac.com