During drastic climate changes in Northeast Ohio, there will no doubt be times when the power goes out. Whether this is caused by a winter ice storm, the pounding winds of spring or lightning strikes in the humid summer months, having a backup generator is not just a good thing; it is nearly always a requirement. A range of backup generators are available today, each one offering something different. Prior to making any buying decision, companies need to estimate their needs and budget.

Types of Backup Generators

When it comes to selecting a backup diesel generator, there are plenty of products on the market to choose from. To find the best diesel generator for your business, though, it’s important to know all your options. No single solution applies to every situation.

Overall, three main types of generators are available for most commercial establishments. These are portable generators, inverter generators and standby generators.

Portable Diesel Generators

Portables are just what they sound like. They do not require any type of permanent attachment to the property, which makes them a good overall option for those who want to be able to move the generator around. Key benefits include:

  • Plugging in an electrical appliance is rather easy to do.
  • These will produce a good amount of power (depending on size); most will run at 3600 rpm to create the standard 60Hz of current necessary.
  • They are ideal for remote location use, including construction sites and off-grid areas.

Portable generators have some limitations, including not necessarily providing enough power to keep industrial or some commercial spaces running at capacity.

Inverter Generators

An inverter generator is one that has an engine that connects directly to an alternator to produce the necessary AC power. This allows it to convert the AC power into DC power because it has a rectifier option (which other generators do not have). Key benefits to this style of generator include:

  • It maintains a constant flow of the current to a specific application, such as an appliance.
  • It can fit into RVs, cars and boats.
  • It is smaller in size and works well for those situations where a lightweight generator is necessary.

Overall, this option can be good for some scenarios, but it does rely on high-tech magnets. It is more energy-efficient than other models.

Standby Generator

The powerhouse when it comes to having backup power, most commercial diesel generators are standby generators. It works as its own electrical system that operates whenever there is a need, often allowing for an automatic transfer switch that turns on whenever there is a power outage. They tend to offer some key benefits, including:

  • Automatic operation, which means no human has to be there to turn them on or off
  • Conducts weekly self-tests to ensure that it is ready to go in case of the power going out
  • Provides for good reliability

Diesel standby generators for commercial use can be a bit more expensive, but they tend to provide the type of protection most commercial buildings need when the power goes out.

Comparing Brands and Features to Find the Best

When making a buying decision for commercial diesel generators, factors to keep in mind include the size of the fuel tank, the amount of rated wattage and even the brand name. Because of the type of work these generators need to do, it is important to choose a product you can truly trust to do the job necessary. At Generator One, we have found Generac products to be some of the best diesel generators for commercial use and recommend the following models.

Generac RD05034GDSE

This Generac model is a standby diesel generator that is capable of producing as much as 50 kW of power output. For most applications, this is enough power to meet most needs, providing an excellent amount of protection during any type of power outage that may occur (there are, of course, some limits to this). This generator is also very quiet, which makes it ideal for commercial settings that need to maintain an acceptable indoor and outdoor noise level. Also beneficial is that this Generac model does a good job with solid reliability but does not require a lot of maintenance and upkeep.

Generac XD5000E

Another top-rated diesel generator for 2020 is the Generac XD5000E. This model is best for those who need a portable generator to take with them or use on a remote site. It can provide up to 32 hours of power protection on a full tank of fuel. This generator will produce about 5500 surge and 5000 continuous watts of power. This can be a good choice for most remote applications and tends to be a good level for a portable generator.

Generac 6864

This Generac model is an excellent option for many applications because it has an industrial-grade engine. It can provide up to 32.4 hours of run time at half load, and it has a large 12-gallon fuel tank.

Making an investment in a diesel backup generator is a big decision to make. Let our team at Generator One provide you with insight and guidance to ensure you are making the best decision for your specific commercial needs and long-term goals. Call us today at 440-492-8449 for a free assessment.