Commercial Diesel Generators
Large commercial generators are often powered by diesel fuel. They are dependable and feature a lower operation cost than models that run on propane, natural gas, or regular gasoline. Though the diesel generators of the past were not very environmentally-friendly, modern versions do not emit smoke and are clean-burning. Since diesel fuel lasts longer and is safer to store than gasoline, it is a natural choice for a commercial generator.
Three-phase power is used by many large businesses because this can run heavy-duty equipment and machinery better than standard single-phase 120/240 volt residential service. Three-phase power in the U.S. usually generates 277/480 volts or 120/208 volts. Commercial consumers can easily find three-phase diesel generators to handle this voltage.
The volume of electricity created by a generator is referred to as wattage. The more equipment that must be powered by the generator, the higher the wattage requirement. A generator that can create 15 to 100 kW is usually required by a small business. Large corporations require much more wattage than this, some requiring between 1,000 and 2,000 kW.
Prices vary greatly depending on the wattage and other features. For example, a 15 kW EPA-approved diesel generator from Mitsubishi costs about $9,000. A 1,000 kW EPA-approved generator set from Cummins costs $200,000. This is not even the highest end of the price spectrum, as a 2,000 kW model can cost $540,000. A unit like this weighs about 55,000 pounds and is the size of the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer.
Diesel generators are designed to run for between 10,000 and 20,000 hours, making them a smart choice for commercial purposes. Maintenance is simple and if done properly, the generator will rarely experience an issue. Though a large generator designed for commercial purposes represents a substantial investment, it is often essential to uninterrupted business operations during a power outage.
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