Generator Types

Generator types are quite variable. It can be a bit tricky keeping all the factors going into their classifications straight. Some of the basics are simple enough. All are important to know when you’re thinking about buying a generator for any purpose.

Generator Types Are Classified By Fuel, Installation, Purpose

Generators types overlap based on fuel sources used, and the degree to which their installation is permanent. They also are organized by the use most frequently made of the particular generator.

For example, there are generators which use gasoline, are portable, and are intended for use at a road construction site. Other generators are permanent installations for a commercial application, and run on propane.

Turbines Add An Additional Wrinkle

Then there are generators which do not depend on any external fuel source. Other than a need for moving air, or moving water, these generators require nothing.

Wind and water turbines convert the energy in the wind and water to electrical power, but they are fully dependent on that movement, and supply no power if, for example, the wind stops blowing.

These are the perfect pick from the various generator types for some applications.

Storage of the electrical power generated by turbines is a possibility. It is an expensive solution though, and these systems can have a gasoline powered portable generator as a secondary source, sometimes at less cost.

Turbines are not at all quiet, and they are very expensive. They are a permanent installation, and they’re just right for some applications.

Standby Generators Are One Of The Best Generator Types For Some Things

Generally a permanently installed generator would be of the type known as a standby. They wait until there’s not any power flow, and then cut on to supply electrical power, converting the energy in an external fuel source, usually natural gas or propane, into electrical energy.

Medical facilities, food production plants, and industrial applications are places which might often use the standby generator because they have to have a source of constant power, one way or another, and the cost is far less important than having it unavailable would be.

Once these units are correctly installed, and once there is a supply source for energy requirements, the institution or plant can be assured of power.

Other than cost there is nothing stopping a home owner from installing a standby unit, and standby units are quite attractive for home emergency use given enough money.

Portable Generators Have Many Uses

Portable generators are more often found in the home emergency setting.

Other places where portable units are the best type of generator include job sites where there is no power, such as construction sites. Of course, some construction sites can use a standby unit, but more often portable unit do the job. Sometimes normal power to a job site is cut, and a portable unit fills in during the emergency.

RVs usually have their own portable generator. This generator type is particularly suited for any moving application as well as applications where the cost of standby units is too high.

While portable generators may be exceedingly large, and very heavy, and quite expensive, many of these units are relatively less costly, and they are quite often used as emergency backup generators for houses.

All types of fuels power all types of generators, but portable generators usually run on fuels which are themselves portable, such as gasoline.

Portable or standby. Gasoline or natural gas. Very powerful or less powerful. Expensive or relatively less costly. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Many factors have to be considered which is why there’s a lot to know about the many generator types.