Stable and uninterrupted power supply is the key to the successful operation of household appliances. In urban apartments, constant food is not a problem, and difficulties may arise outside the city. Therefore, residents of cottages and cottages choose autonomous generators. In order for the petrol electric current generator for a private house to work in optimal mode, you need to choose its characteristics correctly. Wrong choice can lead to excessive cost or inability to cope with their task.
Types of Autonomous Generators
All internal combustion engines can be divided into 2 categories - two and four-pin. Two-contact devices require a mixture of fuel and oil to operate. Four-pin is simpler - they only need diesel or gasoline.
According to the fuel used, the generators can be divided into the following groups:
- With a gasoline engine. These are the most common appliances for domestic use. They are notable for their low cost, ease of launch and management. The gasoline current generator starts even at a temperature of -20 degrees. Such devices work almost silently in comparison with diesel devices and at minimum speeds. The main disadvantages are a small motor resource and low values of maximum power.
Diesel generator - With a gas engine. The main advantages of a gas-powered device include lower fuel costs and trouble-free operation without shutdowns. It is especially advantageous to install such devices for those who live near the gas main.
- Diesel engines These are expensive, bulky and heavy devices that are used in power plants. Their main advantages are profitability and high work efficiency.
The benefits of all generators include independence, efficiency and mobility. A gasoline electric power generator is usually chosen for a house or cottage.
The leading places in the ratings of electric generators are occupied by the American brand DDE, Honda, Elitech.
Choosing the right generator
An autonomous generator is selected taking into account different criteria. These include the launch method, type, and the presence of additional functions.
Generators by type are:
- Asynchronous. Easy to maintain and does not require an additional cooling system. They work perfectly even with short circuit currents.
- Synchronous. In them, the output voltage is less dependent on the speed of the shaft. They work stably under changing load conditions.
Asynchronous generators are best chosen for use with a welding machine. For domestic purposes, a synchronous generator for electricity for the home is suitable.
According to the launch system, manual and automatic devices are distinguished. Manual ones are launched using a special cable. To turn on the automatic generator, you need to carry out a number of actions:
- Check for voltage on the mains. If it is absent, the generator is activated.
- Switching power from the main line to the generator.
- Closing the shutter before starting and opening it after warming up the motor.
- Starter launch.
When voltage appears on the main line, the light generator automatically turns off. Power is supplied from the mains. For the home, it is better to choose autostart, in which the device itself will turn on in the absence of voltage.
Additional items
To increase safety and improve the operability of the device, various parts can be added to the generator.They can be installed both at the factory during production and additionally by the owner.
Basic parametric elements:
- Drop sensor. It is usually installed at the factory.
- Indicators. The panel can be LED, lamp, switch. It shows the fuel level, signals failures and reboots, displays the operating mode.
- Hour meter. Shows the time remaining until the next maintenance or repair.
- Voltmeter. Installed at the factory in powerful devices. Shows the wrong mode of operation.
- Fuel tank with drain cock and gas or diesel level.
- Sockets. Single-phase or three-phase are used.
- Output 12 V. Sensitive, therefore, it is not recommended to connect it directly to the generator. Commonly used by motorists to charge the battery.
All these elements must protect the generator for electricity and simplify its operation.
One of the most important selection criteria is the number of phases of the generator. They are single-phase and three-phase. Depend on the wiring in the house. There is an option to connect a three-phase device to a single-phase circuit. Then the entire load should be evenly distributed over each phase and not exceed 30%.
Power
The main parameter of any electrical appliance is its power. It consists of several indicators:
- Power reserve. It must be, since there can be power surges in the network. It is recommended to take a generator with a power exceeding the nominal value of the device by 2-3 times.
- Active and reactive power. Reactive power is the stray value associated with losses. Any household appliance has reactive power that needs to be considered. In electrical appliances, it is usually equal to 0.2 of the nominal. You can find the exact value in the documentation for the device. If the value is not indicated there, it is recommended to add to the generator power 50% of the nominal value.
- Capacitive load. This is a characteristic of induction motors. It occurs when voltage is applied in a “soft” way, when the stator rotates behind the rotor.
If you do not take into account at least one component, the electric generator for the house will not work correctly.
Cooling
For the synchronous generator to work correctly, you need to take care of additional cooling in advance. It can be airy and liquid. Air cooling is cheaper and easier to operate. But it is not intended for long-term operation and powerful devices.
If the generator for light is a constant source of power, it is better to choose liquid cooling. It is more expensive and complex, but provides stable operation all the time.
