Your Guide to Different Commercial Generator Sizes

Are you planning to buy a commercial generator for your business?

Outages cost businesses staggering losses. It’s why getting the perfect commercial generator for your business is crucial.

When buying commercial generators, size is one factor to consider. It affects the generator’s safety and overall performance.

Continue reading below for a quick guide on different commercial generator sizes.

Inventory and Wattage

Revisit your equipment inventory to determine the appropriate generator size for your business. List all the necessary electronics requiring power during an outage, like air conditioners.

Compute the wattage of each piece of equipment. It is the amount of electricity the item needs to run. Use an online wattage calculator or check the product description on the product manual.

After calculating the wattage, add everything. The sum represents the required electrical output for your generator to power the equipment. You can apply this simple method to small offices.

The Square Footage Method

The square footage method is the simplest way of estimating commercial generator sizes. If you have a restaurant or retail store, the calculation is 50 kilowatts + 10 watts per square foot.

For other commercial applications, use 50 kilowatts + 5 watts per square foot.

Full Load Capacity

The full load capacity method is more applicable to larger commercial businesses. It comes in two forms: measurement and history.

The first form involves measuring the full-load measurements during peak usage. Get a clamp-on ammeter and attach it to the legs of the electrical service panel.

After that, obtain the total amps and divide them by three for a three-phase current.

Multiply the result by the supply voltage. After that, multiply the product by 1000 for Kilowatts(kW) required to get the final result. For a single-phase current, divide the amps by two instead.

Get copies of your monthly electric bills for the last 12 months. It allows you to get the full load capacity by history. Examine the power usage and find the highest peak demand.

Add 25% for your reserve capacity. Using this method is perfect for businesses operating 24/7.

Why Generator Sizes Matter

Buying the wrong generator for your company can be dangerous. A small business generator may not meet the electrical needs of a large facility.

It will result in a voltage drop, causing your lights to flicker. Your motors will also run hotter and risk burning out.

The wrong generator risks overworking. As it overheats, it causes electrical surges, damaging your electronics.

On the flip side, a large equipment generator wastes resources on a small business. The initial cost is high and increases your operating expenses.

Consider the type of generator you need. Click for more information on the pros and cons of natural gas and diesel generators.

Invest in the Right Equipment

Following this generator buying guide allows you to find the proper generator sizes for your business. You can prevent disruption from outages and keep your machines running safely. Regardless, boost your business by investing in the right equipment.

Is this guide helpful? Check out our other blog posts for more expert tips.