How To Choose The Correct Generator: South African Guide

More people than before have enquired about purchasing generators and connecting them at home. Generators come in a variety of sizes these days. Personal and household usage generators may be purchased in 5 kW to 50 kW power capacity, whereas industrial generators are 50 kW to over 3 MW in capacity.
A Genset is a diesel or gasoline-powered generator that is mechanically linked to an electrical generator. The engines must be started manually or using a starting motor and switch, similar to a lawnmower.

Please store matches and candles in another location during a power outage.

Once the engine is started, the generator will provide stable electricity between 220 volts and 240 volts. This is where deciding what load to attach to the Genset is of fundamental importance.

Unfortunately, one of the widespread blunders made by purchasers is undersizing the generator. It may harm not only your generator but also other related assets, cause dangerous circumstances and even restrict the output of the unit or company dependent on it. It can damage your generator. The most important thing to keep in mind is that always go with more than less.

When purchasing a generator, keep the following points in mind:

• Safety: Generators must be properly linked to a building or installed using an adequate and authorized exchange switch, including a qualified, certified electrician to install an outstanding protective circuit breaker on the main distribution board. 1- 0142 SABS
  voltage, frequency, and phase of the
• Total electrical load that will be linked
• Is it necessary for the generator to start automatically? If this is the case, a system for automated mains failure (AMF) must be implemented.
• A process is required if the manual start and automatic switchover are not possible.
• Suitability of location: outdoors or in an open space that has good ventilation
• Time spent running and altitude

1. What size generator should you purchase?

This capability relies on the sum of electrical loads that you wish to power concurrently, measured by watt (highest total load anticipated at any moment). To begin, tally up all of the loads you wish to execute at the same time. Once you’ve identified the appliance that needs the most energy to turn on, include it in your calculation, keeping in mind that starting current of a pool pump motor, for example, is approximately 1.4 times the operating load. Check to see whether your generator can handle the additional power so that bigger things don’t overwhelm the system when they turn on.
Every generator is rated in two ways: operating power and surge wattage. In general, generators are certified for surge wattage because they have extra capacity to accommodate surges in demand. Please choose the size depending on the current wattage when you purchase a generator, and their wattage should be matched automatically to what you require. Purchase a bigger generator if you’re concerned about requiring additional surge power.

2. Consider the many loads you could power with the generator.

• Lights in the kitchen, bathroom, and living room
• In the kitchen, there is one outlet for a kettle or a smartphone charger.
• Freezer/refrigerator
• Microwave/oven Garage door opener Television and decoder
• a personal computer
• Alarm systems, electric fences, and illumination are all examples of security measures.

3. How do I calculate what size generator I need?

The most powerful appliances are heated equipment, including stoves, heaters, dishwashers, geysers. It’s a good idea to limit the number of lights turned on when the generator is running. PCs and other electrical devices do not use a lot of energy, but they are voltage sensitive. If there is no consistent voltage in the generator and dips and peaks are present in the system, harm is done to the equipment. When utilizing a generator, it’s a good idea to turn off certain appliances while operating others.

In this case, you’ll need a generator that can do the following:
3 692 watts (Equipment with the greatest initial wattage + total operating wattage for all other appliances)

total wattage required = appliances

4700 watts maximum

220 – 240 volts

4. Do you need an electrician to hook up a generator?

A qualified electrician who is responsible for the installation must be familiar with and have expertise with wiring. Because improper wiring of all live, neutral, and earth wires may be fatal, switches should be avoided.

When a Genset is erected, the local supply authorities should be contacted to establish their specific needs. You may find out whether an electrician is licensed by calling the Electrical Contracting Board’s local offices.

Of the Republic of South Africa. In addition, be certain that he provides you with a current electrical certificate of conformity. NEVER Do not try this operation yourself, and never connect a Genset supply into a home outlet. If you don’t want to, don’t.

Install a transition switch, and plug in the equipment with a temporary extension line from the Genset. You’ll need It is critical to check the lead size to verify that it can handle the necessary weight.

The transferring or change-over switch is often a manual mechanism with three switching positions – some have a single position. A position to the left and right of the off position and a position in the middle. One is for the primary supply, while the other is for backup.

This means that if the main power goes out, the switch must be physically switched from mains to battery power.

Electricity from a generator When the main supply returns, the whole procedure will have to be redone. This “switching” technique is critical since a “back feed” maybe both hazardous and inconvenient.

The generator and electrical equipment such as computers, televisions, and hi-fi systems may be harmed. It is never a good idea to operate two generators in parallel. These transfer switches may also be controlled automatically. However, this is a lot more difficult and expensive.

5. Isn’t it possible to connect my generator to a standard wall outlet?

No. This is referred to as backfeeding and is very hazardous for several reasons. For example, suppose someone forgets.

To electrically disconnect the home from the grid, the main circuit breaker should be thrown, and then the generator may transmit

Beyond the home and into the grid is where the electrical power comes from. Should the main switch or earth leakage be left on,

When grid power is restored, your generator will be destroyed, and it may potentially create electrical or other fires, among other things. Furthermore, if you want to turn off the main earth leakage switch to prevent this problem, you must also turn off the main earth leakage switch.

When back-feeding electricity to your home, keep in mind that your household is a danger of electrocution.

There will be no earth leakage protection in the electrical system.

6. How can you distinguish between a backup and a standby generator?

Like a compressor for central air conditioning, a backup generator is a permanently placed piece of equipment.

System. It’s natural gas or propane-powered. A backup generator is a tiny petrol-powered generator that you may use in an emergency.

Place the wheel from the outside house and connect to the transfer switch. It may also be linked to electrical loads.

via the use of heavy-duty extension cables

7. Can you place the generator in the garage and operate it when the door is open if it’s pouring outside?

No, it would be best if you never operated a generator inside a home, garage, or beneath a car.

The carbon monoxide (CO) in the garage is still there even with the garage door open.

The exhaust from a generator may make someone ill within the home or, in the case of a generator, outside the house.

In the worst-case scenario, you might potentially murder someone.

8. What additional safety precautions should you take?

When utilizing a generator, keep functioning smoke and CO alarms in the home.

Maintain a safe distance of at least 5 meters between the generator and the house.

Home to reduce CO poisoning and the

Keep the generator at least 5 meters away from the home to reduce CO hazards as well as the possibility of the generator’s hot exhaust melting vinyl siding.

“Let it chill before you fuel,” as the saying goes.

9. Generators are very noisy. What can be done in this situation?

Regrettably, not much. Generators with more sophisticated mechanical features perform a better job of regulating engine speed than earlier generators.

Rpm in relation to their output power. This lowers their running speed, making them quieter and saving gasoline. The most basic

Minimize the load demand you’re putting on the generator to reduce noise.

10. Is it necessary to ground the generator?

Follow the owner’s manual’s directions. It’s straightforward to ground the generator if the handbook specifies it.

One easy method is to connect a 12-gauge cable from the generator’s grounding terminal to a copper ground rod pushed into the soil adjacent to the generator. (A grounding terminal symbol will be shown on the generator to assist you in locating the terminal.)

Alternately, the instructions may instruct you to connect a ground wire from the grounding connector to the ground bus within the house’s service panel. The generator will be securely grounded if you follow the directions in the handbook.

Diagram of energy consumption

This graph illustrates how wattage differs across different electrical devices. It’s not the case. Intended to serve as a rigorous guide for calculating your needs. Refer to the for the most precise calculations. Consult the owner’s handbook for each equipment, tool, or appliance, or hire an electrician:

Home Applications

Standard Size Guide

Portable / Small Stationary: 55 – 8kW

Same as portable but also:

• Portable heater – 1300 watts
• Computer – 250 watts
• Heating system 500 watts
• Second pump – 600 watts
• More lights – 400 watts

Large Stationary: 10 – 15kW

It can power:
Same as large portable models, plus…

• Clothes washer – 1200 watts
• Electric dryer – 5000 watts