When storms and other natural disasters strike, small businesses are especially vulnerable to power outages. While larger companies may have multiple locations that can pick up the slack while operations at one site shut down, the same is usually not true for the typical small business.

As a result, small business owners should take every available precaution to protect themselves. In fact, failure to plan for a power outage could result in a loss of business, inability to communicate with customers or clients, temporary or even long-term closure, and loss of inventory.

Companies can combat these potential issues by obtaining a generator, which will help restore electricity in the event that power goes out. Regardless of whether you're a one-man show or a rapidly growing small business with numerous employees, having a generator onsite can help avoid the pitfalls that might otherwise ensue in the event of a power outage. The information below outlines some basic information all small business owners should consider when determining whether to purchase a generator.

Different kinds of generators

Two basic varieties of generators are available on the market. Automatic, or standby, generators are permanently connected to a building's electrical system. When the power shuts down, those generators automatically detect the problem and restore power to the building. On the other hand, portable, or backup, generators run on gasoline or diesel and have to be manually installed once a power outage occurs. While automatic generators require little or no work for the business owner, portable generators are typically less expensive.

Safety first

When it comes to generators, safety should be the first priority. Portable generators often emit potentially harmful levels of carbon monoxide. Therefore, they should never be placed indoors when operational. Instead, most manufacturers and industry experts recommend placing standby generators outside at least ten feet from the building it is servicing. That reduces the possibility that harmful emissions will enter the building through windows, doors, or other openings. However, as an extra precaution, management should ensure that buildings are equipped with operational carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. In addition, use heavy-duty, grounded extension cords that are designed for outdoor use. Never refuel gas-powered generators while they are running. In fact, it's best to let the generator cool off completely before refueling to avoid a fire or explosion.

Capacity

Before making a purchase, discuss your energy needs with a company representative or salesperson. A typical generator cannot harness enough wattage to power an entire commercial building. Therefore, focus on what your main priorities will be in the event of a power outage and ensure that the model you select can satisfy your needs.

Properly operating a generator

First and foremost, you should always operate a generator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Consulting local building codes may also be necessary depending on the kind of generator you select. And never be shy about asking questions of the retailer or a licensed electrician. It's much better to get all the information upfront rather than scrambling to find answers in an emergency situation.

To minimize potential operational problems, generators should be tested periodically. Again, don't wait until you're in a bind and actually need the generator to find out that it isn't working properly. In addition, take great care not to overload a generator, as that could cause a fire or damage appliances.

Noise

Unfortunately, noise is a normal byproduct of generator use. And some models are particularly loud. Therefore, operate the generator only when necessary to avoid disturbing neighbors. Automatic standby generators are generally quieter than portable models.

Conservation

Operating a generator only when necessary is important. If no power is needed at a given moment, make sure to turn off the generator to avoid waste. Also, keep in mind less expensive alternatives to running a generator. For example, in certain circumstances, battery-powered lights might work just as well as light fixtures fueled by a generator.

A generator may not be a foolproof solution to keeping your small business going during a power outage. However, generators can be helpful in minimizing the problems that going off grid can cause.

For more information, contact South Shore Generator in Wareham, MA.

source: triplepundit.com

In the midst of a facility expansion in March 2007, MVP Health Care (MVP), Rochester, N.Y., decided that a reliable mode of standby power was required to ensure smooth operations and to keep all of its clients’ medical records and information safely housed. MVP, a health care provider in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York state, has been committed for 27 years to making a positive impact on the health and wellness of its customers. The need to keep medical records and information safe was a logical investment and consistent with thecompany’s mission.

While there was an immediate need for a larger location, MVP also needed to allow for future growth. The goal was that no matter how much the company grew, there would always be backup power protection should there be an outage due to the inclement weather that is typical of Rochester, especially during the winter months. When Generac Industrial Power dealer R.L. Kistler learned of MVP’s interest in standby power, Rob Sweeney, sales engineer, knew he had a system to satisfy its needs.

Based in Rochester, R.L. Kistler has been a Generac dealer since 2002, covering much of the upstate New York area including Buffalo and the state capital of Albany. Sweeney was approached for this project by the engineer, Mark Picard, owner, Picard Engineering, Rochester, who was originally looking for backup power that had either a single engine or a modular system; this was still up for debate.

“When Mark told me what they were looking for, I knew right away that the Generac Modular Power System (MPS) was the way for them to go. They had an immediate load demand of 1,100 kilowatts (kW) and wanted a system that had the potential to reach 1,600 kW, if needed,” says Sweeney.

“They were also in the market for a system that ran on natural gas rather than diesel due to storage limitations stemming from MVP’s metropolitan location and the fact that natural gas offered extended run times without concern for refueling. I told Mark he’d be hard-pressed to find a competitive system that would be able to not only meet their demands, but also be reasonably priced. After he had an opportunity to shop around, the job was ours.”

An Installation with Room to Grow R.L. Kistler administered the paralleled installation of 4 x 300 kW Generac natural gas generators in August 2008. Because MVP intended to grow over time, the company needed a system that was modular and did not need to be replaced every time it expanded. As the installation began, Sweeney wanted to make it as easy as possible for the building to add onto the four existing gensets as needed. “We installed a concrete pad designed to hold a maximum of six, 300 kW generators. So when the time comes to expand the system, there is room for two more 300 kW Generac MPS generators, making the placement less labor intensive,” says Sweeney.

In addition to the versatility that comes with a Generac MPS, price was also a factor. In the past, the high cost of paralleling switchgear made the multiple unit arrangement feasible only for expensive, high-end applications. If MVP had gone with a traditional paralleling approach, they would have had to use 14 to 20 controllers from five different manufacturers. However, the Generac MPS Power Manager control technology only requires one digital control per generator to control all generator functions: speed governing, voltage regulation, genset alarm and monitoring, synchronizing, load sharing and protection – a much simpler and cost-saving approach.

Advanced microprocessors with highspeed, 32-bit digital electronics are integrated into the MPS controllers, providing paralleling capability and reducing equipment, maintenance and installation costs. Constantly monitoring power flow, controlling transfer switch functions and managing the operations of all connected generators are just a few of the features offered by the MPS controllers. The beauty of the Generac MPS system is that each genset backs up the others in the system, so critical loads receive state-ofthe-art redundant protection, in addition to providing all the benefits of paralleled power generation in a simple, single-source system.

Looking to the Future

Today, the Generac MPS system backs up three floors, one of which houses the main data center -- a total of 50,400 square feet - and MVP has no plans to stop there. “This ear, we’ll be adding another 150 servers to our data center on the first floor and while we are appropriately sized right now, we have space to add two more 300 kW gensets and in time that’s exactly what we plan to do,” says Craig Solow, supervisor of windows administration, MVP. “We could not be more pleased with the natural gas MPS system from Generac. Out of our 10 sites, the Rochester location is the only one that has a modular backup system, the rest are running on single systems and I am confident that the Generac MPS system is the most secure. Since we installed the Generac MPS system, we’ve had a few outages, some planned, some unexpected, but whatever the case, the transition to standby power was seamless. The MPS system started right up and kept us operating at business as usual for the entire length of every outage. Most companies fear outages, and while we don’t look forward to them, we know that we’re covered.”

For more information, contact South Shore Generator in Wareham, MA.

Designed for industrial users, industrial generators cover a wide field of applications and offer a vast range of options and retrofitting to fully meet the requirements of all configurations. They provide, as needed, back-up power or a continuous electricity supply. In highly sensitive sectors, the solutions guarantee continuity of electricity supply to counter any outage or instability affecting the mains supply.

In isolated areas without mains electricity, KOHLER generators provide a continuous, reliable and safe power supply. Depending on the environment, they can also be configured for optimum noise levels. Soundproofed industrial generating sets therefore offer back-up power combined with user comfort in terms of noise pollution, via strict compliance with applicable noise standards.

Do you work in industry, construction or engineering? Contact South Shore Generator in Wareham, MA.