What Is the Basic Purpose of a Diesel Generator?

Diesel generators, such as those manufactured by Welland Power, are appliances meant to provide electrical power during outages caused by errors, storms, or other such problems. Specifically, Welland Power provides commercial generators for industrial buildings, banks, educational facilities, emergency service facilities, and other organizations. These are multinational organizations, and Welland Power has received the Queens Award for International Trade thanks in part to their rapid growth on a global level.

Diesel generators are essentially a combination of a diesel engine with an electrical generator, frequently called an alternator, that can generate electrical energy. This is their basic principle. Diesel generators are typically used either in areas where connecting to the power grid is difficult or impossible, or they’re used as backup generators when the main power goes out.

How do generators work?

Generators can come in different sizes and configurations depending on their desired functions, but the most basic principles for different generators are largely the same. Generators convert mechanical energy from an outside source into electrical energy as their output. The conversion of energy is a crucial point — a generator doesn’t actually create energy. Modern generators operate on the principle of electromagnetic induction to generate an electric current.

Generators are made up of many different components, such as the engine, alternator, and fuel system, just to name a few. The engine is the source of the mechanical energy that is to be converted into electrical energy. It can be powered by a variety of fuel types, though a diesel generator will, of course, be powered by diesel oil. Larger engines, like those used in commercial generators, typically do need to be fueled by diesel.

The alternator is the component that actually converts the mechanical input from the engine into the electrical output. It contains a collection of moving and stationary parts that work together to create movement between electrical and magnetic fields, thus producing an electrical current. The durability of an alternator can depend on the materials its parts are made of as well as their housing.

Fuel systems for commercial generators may include an external fuel tank to ensure there is enough supply to remain operational for longer periods of time. A typical fuel tank can keep a generator operational for approximately six to eight hours. Diesel generators will also have some supporting components like exhaust systems, control panels, and lubricating systems.

Who depends on generators?

Diesel generators are great for the peace of mind they can offer virtually any place of business. Power outages due to extreme weather are a higher risk than ever in today’s climate, not to mention other possibilities like problems at power plants or operational errors. With a reliable generator and knowledge of its performance, facilities can be prepared for nearly any eventuality.

Specifically, healthcare facilities are among those that most need a reliable backup generator. Without power, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and care facilities won’t be able to maintain normal operations. This can be catastrophic for those already dependent on these facilities, and the situation may only get worse if the power outage is caused by a natural disaster that could lead to further injuries. The northeast blackout of 2003 in the US resulted in roughly half of New York City’s hospitals staying out of power due to a lack of knowledge about how their generators would operate in a real emergency. Because of these situations, it’s impossible to overstate how critical a reliable generator and an understanding of its performance is.

Of course, generators aren’t only for life and death situations. They’re also necessary for any facility that needs to maintain temperatures for food safety or any other reasons. They’re vital to keeping office buildings operational and to ensure financial institutions maintain their services. In a world with so many options, no one can really afford to stay out of business due to a power outage.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.