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How to Choose a Generator for Site Work
How do I choose a generator for site work?
Answer
How do I choose a generator for site work?
Explanation
Starting load is the figure that matters
Motors draw a large surge at startup. A generator sized on running figures will stall. List everything that may run at once, and flag which items have motors.
Detail
Standard or inverter
Standard generators suit tools and motors. Inverter generators produce cleaner, more stable output, which suits sensitive electronics, and they are quieter — worth considering near occupied buildings.
Detail
Distribution matters as much as generation
A generator without adequate cable and distribution is unusable and unsafe. Undersized cable causes voltage drop, which stops machines starting and gets blamed on the generator.
Detail
Siting and safety
Generators run outdoors and ventilated, never in an enclosed space. Keep cables out of water and use RCD protection throughout.
Questions
Also asked
What size generator for a small site?
It depends entirely on what runs at once. Send the list of machines and flag the motor-driven ones, and we will identify options against manufacturer specifications.
Can I run a three-phase machine from a generator?
Only from a three-phase generator sized for it, including the starting surge. It is a substantially larger and more expensive unit than a single-phase equivalent.
Quotation
Ready to ask for a price?
Send the application, the material, the capacity if you know it, and the power available on site. Options come back with specification and current availability.
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