Consistent access to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is essential in a business with an IT infrastructure of any appreciable size. Service failure, data loss and hardware damage are among the serious consequences of a power outage. Even a few minutes of downtime can be significant – an extended period can cause irreversible problems. A UPS, despite its name, is not a failsafe because its battery autonomy is limited. It merely bridges a gap. That is why a standby generator is indispensable. For companies based in the new business corridor to the east of London, generator installation 24/7 in Essex has become a lifesaver.
Planning the installation of a standby generator is not simple: you can’t just plug in and go. There are many issues to consider, including fuel supply, maintenance, output requirements and the type of internal control mechanism that is best suited to your environment. Of the many questions you need to address, these are three of the most important ones.
- Compatibility
Whether or not you already use a UPS, you need to ensure that your generator can synchronise fully with your power supply. A UPS will generally work well with the input from utility companies, whose generators are large enough to handle a sudden increase in the load, but a standby generator needs time to adjust to the potential mismatch in speed and frequency. You need to be confident that the standby equipment you select is compatible with your systems and you should make onsite testing of it a core part of the commissioning and installation process.
It may seem an obvious point but it can be easily overlooked: a standby generator needs to be ready for action at a moment’s notice. You’ll get no warning of a power failure so it needs to be fully charged, fuelled and warmed up. It also needs to be programmed to recognise both failure and restoration of power in order to kick in and switch off automatically. At the same time, it should not be so sensitive that it will react to the slightest mains disturbance of just a few seconds and it should be capable of running in overlap once mains power is restored until stability has been confirmed. Now that it is easy to access services that provide generator installation 24/7 in Essex, these are matters that can be addressed by local experts.
- Size
Your generator should have the appropriate capacity to cover all your needs with room left over so that it is never running at maximum. Apart from essentials including lighting, computer hardware and communications, your generator will need to support air-conditioning, alarm systems, security and any other functions that are not only necessary for the continuation of service but can also affect the performance of the generator itself. These are issues that should be discussed and settled with the generator manufacturer or supplier as part of the commissioning process.
- Environmental Responsibility
With every step taken in business, it is essential to consider its effect on climate and the environment. This is not just good for customer relations, it makes economic sense and contributes to the planet’s health. A standby generator could have serious implications in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and pollutants. In addition to compatibility and fitness for load, you need to ensure that you have secure fuel storage, not least because of the rigorous legal regulation that applies, and noise attenuation provision to prevent disturbance within your own premises and those of your neighbours. The excess heat created by generators needs an effective outlet and all forms of exhaust and waste must be managed according to stringent compliance requirements. This must be in consultation with the local authority, the local fire office and your utility supplier.
Generator Installation 24/7 in Essex
No business should risk relying on the gamble that power supplies are 100% reliable and even a UPS has only limited capabilities. A standby generator is essential, but given the complexity of the commissioning process, it is advisable to work with a company that can handle much more than the installation itself. Essex is home to a growing commercial and industrial community that benefits enormously from local companies that specialise in all forms of emergency power solutions, including UPS sales and hire, battery testing and replacement, and the entire project management of generator installation.
