Buying Guide to Choose Generators for Construction Sites

Introdução

Construction sites involve various pieces of equipment that require consistent running. Sudden stoppage can cause delays in the construction. Ao mesmo tempo, the building owners and manufacturers can’t get delays. É aí que o Geradores for construction sites step in.

Hoje, we will understand why you should install generators for construction sites and understand how this whole process works. Continue lendo!

Why Do You Need A Generator for a Construction Site?

You might wonder why you even need a generator when you have other facilities, como:

• Solar Energy and the utility grid as a primary source
• Battery Energy storage system as a backup supply.

Why would you even consider the generators at this point? Tecnicamente, há vários motivos. Por exemplo:

• Your equipment needs a constant power supply, and generators for construction sites provide it.
• There is no running time limit. You can run generators for one day or two with proper maintenance.
• It provides high-quality energy.

On a construction site, you can power several tools, como:

• Power tools
• Tower cranes
• Concrete mixers
• Welding machines
• Compressores de ar
• Water pumps
• Site lighting
• Temporary offices
• Sistemas de segurança
• Charging stations

Types of Generators for Construction Sites

Before choosing a generator, you must know the various types and options. Here is the list of key generator types.

Gerador Diesel

Diesel Generators are one of the most famous and commonly used types in the construction industry. It is because of several reasons discussed below.

• High fuel efficiency with reliable power generation systems.
• Strong power and long engine life
• Suitable for heavy-duty applications and power tools used at construction sites.
• Lower fuel consumption under high loads

Gerador de Gás Natural

There comes the alternative of the diesel generator. It generates the power like a diesel generator, except that there is a difference in the fuel consumption. Instead of diesel, it consumes natural gas for the following reasons.

• It offers cleaner operation and lower carbon emissions.
• There is reduced maintenance required compared to the diesel generators.
• Gas Generators often have quieter operations.

Gerador portátil

If you are a construction company, taking your generator to distant places must be essential for you. Não se preocupe: there is a solution. Portable generators are also available that come with lightweight features and allow shipping to distant areas.

The common applications of such generators are:

• Hand tools
• Small lighting systems
• Maintenance work
• Mobile repair operations

Towable Generator

Towable Generators have a high power output compared to compact generators. They stick to the trucks and vehicles and are installed in different places for the following purposes.

• Road construction
• Bridge projects
• Pipeline installation
• Utility maintenance
• Infrastructure development

Gerador Inversor

Inverter generators are a simple setup with lower outputs but cleaner energy generation. Based on the lower output, they are suitable for different spaces, como:

• Site offices
• Computadores
• Communication systems
• Surveying equipment
• Battery charging

Factors to Consider When Choosing Generators for Construction Sites

Are you ready to start your adventure to select the right generators for construction sites? Perfect!! Here are several tips to help you choose the right generator.

Dica #1: Calculate Total Power

Primeiro, you should know your demands. Por esta razão, you must know various tools, power consumption, and requirements.

Ferramentas

Which tools are you going to operate at your construction site? List them all. Por exemplo, here is the list of the tools.

• Power tools
• Welding machines
• Cranes
• Bombas
• Iluminação
• Office equipment
• Unidades HVAC
• Carregadores de bateria

Running Load vs Starting Load

Starting load is almost 2-7x the running load, depending on the equipment you operate.

Lembrar, not all devices have the same running and starting loads. Heavy machinery often has a high starting load compared to its running loads.

Here are a few tools that have a high running load compared to starting load.

• Compressores de ar
• Concrete mixers
• Bombas
• Cranes
• Hoists

If you ignore the starting voltage drop, fatal errors can occur.

Exemplo

Let’s discuss a real-world example to help you better understand such a case.

As per the table, let’s calculate the running load based on your operations.

Por exemplo:

Carga Total de Execução

Concrete Mixers = 10 kW

Air Compressor = 12 kW

Welding Machines = 16 kW

Lighting = 6 kW

Portable Tools = 10 kW

Office = 5 kW

Carga total de execução = 59 kW

You should never jump for a 60kW generator. Em vez de, keep a margin of 20-25% for additional power for safety operations. Então, the total generator capacity should be:

Generator Capacity = 59 × 1.25= 74 kW

It means that if you buy a generator with a capacity between 75 e 80 kW, it would be an ideal choice.

Dica #2: Considere o tipo de combustível

Are you confused about the right fuel type? Most people often prefer diesel generators, but they are not eco-friendly. If you are looking for the right option, let’s evaluate both cases here.

Diesel

Diesel Generators have a higher output and robust designs, but produce noisy conditions. Além disso, they are not eco-friendly due to carbon emissions.

Here are a few conditions in which diesel generators are the primary choice.

• Large projects
• Remote sites
• Heavy equipment

Gás

Natural gas is good when you have an abundant supply of the gas. It has lower emissions and a better impact on the environment compared to diesel generators.

The best thing is the quieter operations. No entanto, it has a lower power output and is suitable for:

• Urban projects
• Permanent construction facilities

Híbrido

What if you combine both fuel types? It is the best idea as you can experience more benefits:

• Flexibility to change the fuel options based on the equipment.
• Accessibility to the eco-friendly operations.
• No noise or environmental pollution when you use the right fuel type.

Dica #3: Tamanho do gerador

Choosing the right generator size is essential for several reasons. Let’s know how to choose the right generator size.

Undersized Generators

Suppose your requirements are 74 kW, but you choose a generator with 60kW. It is a potentially undersized generator.

Do you know the consequences?

• Intermittent power supply due to low power generation
• Potential failures in the power supply.
• High engine stress occurs when the load is higher than the power availability.

Oversized Generators

Buying a higher-capacity generator doesn’t mean you get higher efficiency. Em vez de, an oversized generator is overkill. Por exemplo, you choose a 100kW generator for a 74kW power requirement.

The results will be:

• More fuel consumption compared to power generation.
• Very low efficiency due to lower load operations
• Money wastage

Right-Sized Generators

If you prefer the right-sized generators, it is the ideal situation. Do you know why? The right-sized generator can offer safe operations and has the following benefits.

• Power efficiency is pretty high.
• Productivity increases.
• The compatibility of the system ensures a consistent quality of running the tools at construction sites.

Dica #4: Continuous Vs Standby

If you are comparing the continuous power with the standby power generation, you must know when you need the power.

Continuous Generators

The continuous Generators offer a constant energy supply without any interruptions. They are ideal:

• When you need consistent power in remote areas.
• You have a continuously running load.

Geradores de espera

If there comes an emergency situation, then the standby generators help. They are specialized for emergency cases and provide sufficient power in outage cases.

Dica #5: Site Location

Harsh environmental conditions can impact the generator’s performance. If you are looking for the right performance of your generators for construction sites, you should know:

• Temperatura ambiente
• Umidade
• Pó
• Rain
• Snow
• Alta altitude

If there are sudden fluctuations of environmental conditions, choose enclosures, sistemas de refrigeração, or derating of generator capacity.

Dica #6: Mobility Requirements

Many construction sites are often located in remote areas. Bringing your generators to the locations is technically difficult until you have the mobile units.

You should consider:

• Trailer-mounted units
• Forklift pockets
• Lifting points
• Compact dimensions

These offer easy mobility and better results.

Dica #7: Noise Restrictions

Many areas around the globe have noise pollution issues. The nearby building codes might require you to reduce the noise pollution and comply with the regulations. In such a case, you should choose natural gas generators.

They help:

• Reduce noise pollution
• Improve worker comfort
• Comply with environmental regulations
• Minimize community disturbance

Dica #8: Fuel Tank Capacity

How long do you want to run your generators? It is not the generator that decides, but the fuel availability. Whether you are using a diesel generator or a gas generator, higher fuel storage provides seamless operations for 24-48 hours or even more in several cases.

You should choose the fuel tank capacity depending on:

• Daily operating hours
• Taxa de consumo de combustível
• Refueling schedule
• Fuel availability on-site

A larger fuel capacity helps operate the generators for several hours daily.

Dica #9: Segurança

Safety should be your priority when choosing a generator. It can be dangerous when there is a sudden failure in the system. There should be a proper shutdown system.

Por exemplo, here is the list of safety tools necessary for the safety of operations.

• Botão de parada de emergência
• Disjuntores
• Proteção contra sobrecarga
• Low oil pressure shutdown
• High coolant temperature shutdown
• Ground fault protection
• Fuel leak detection

It helps optimize and get safe at the right time.

Dica #10: Manutenção

Finalmente, maintenance is the critical factor that can improve the overall efficiency of the generators. Even more than that, it can also decrease stress and increase the lifespan of the generators.

During maintenance, you should inspect and check the following factors:

• Engine oil replacement
• Air filter cleaning or replacement
• Substituição do filtro de combustível
• Coolant inspection
• Battery testing
• Belt inspection

Repair and replace all those components that need attention.

Recommended Generator Sizes by Project Type

Perguntas frequentes

• What fuel is most commonly used for construction generators?

Diesel is often preferred for construction generators. It is because of higher energy production, compatibility with heavy-duty tasks, e disponibilidade.

• Should I buy or rent a construction generator?

It depends on your projects. Por exemplo, you should rent a generator when the need is for short-term usage. Buy a generator if you are a regular construction company and need it all the time.

• How do I determine the correct generator size?

Generator size varies and depends on the overall power generation systems. Add the total power consumed, calculate an additional 20-25%, and make sure you have included the compatibility for starting loads.

• Why is generator sizing so important?

Generator Sizing defines the efficiency of the projects. Por exemplo, if you have a right-sized generator, it can meet your demands and offer higher efficiency. Undersized and oversized generators are notorious for their lower performance.

• Are silent generators suitable for construction projects?

Sim, if you have nearby buildings with strict noise pollution rules and regulations. You should choose the natural gas generators in such a case.

• What safety precautions should be followed when using construction generators?

When using construction generators, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for generator usage. Don’t buy an undersized generator, as they cause failures and accidents.

• Can one generator power an entire construction site?

Sim. A generator can power the whole construction site, but make sure the size is correct for the required conditions.

• How often should construction generators be maintained?

You should regularly check and maintain your generators before operations. It keeps the high efficiency and timely operations.

Conclusão

Generators for construction sites have different requirements and a high power system. When choosing a generator, you should always start with the power calculations. Consider both the constant running load and the starting load.

Are you looking for high-quality generator systems? Look no further, como Poder Huaquan Supply experts are here. We have a different range of diesel, gás, and hybrid generator systems. You’ll enjoy high efficiency and better compatibility for your construction sites. Contate-nos imediatamente!