DJN Power Systems Generators & Industry
Electricity is possibly the best example of something most businesses don't think much about - until it's not available.
Any company or business that has had to throw thousands
of Rands away through downtime or loss of stock knows that
even fairly short outages can be very expensive.
The right
electric generators can prevent this kind of loss. In some
situations, having power is even more critical: hospitals, for example, need to have top-notch electric power backup
systems. 
Over the last 10 years DJN Power Systems has been actively involved in supplying power needs for both Mines and Industry in general, and due to South Africa’s current situation, we have been inundated with calls on how to go about purchasing a generator or backup power.
Generators are supplied in a wide range of sizes and setups for every situation. The enclosed will help you
understand what the basic types are, how to choose the
right size generator for your business, and how much you
can expect to pay.
Standard Types of Power Generators
All power generators supplied by DJN have two
main components. The Motor which generally
burns fuel - usually diesel or petrol and an alternator unit
which turns that power into electricity. Together, the motor
and the Alternator comprise a standard generator.
In South Africa the standard household current is single phase,
240 volts, However, larger businesses often have different
power needs.
More often than not they use three-phase power, which is
better for running heavy-duty motors than the
residential-standard single-phase service. In South Africa
three-phase power usually produces 380 / 400 volts.
Generators from DJN Power are available in all common
voltages including 500 Volts for mining applications,
make sure you know what voltages your business is
using before you search for a generator.
Standby or Portable Generators
There are two basic types of generators to consider when
making your decision, either standby generators or
portable generators.
Standby generators are used to offset the detrimental
effects of power outages and are installed permanently
as an emergency power source for your business.
They are wired into the building's electrical system via an isolation switch and often get fuel from a built in fuel tank.
From DJN Power they start at around 50 kVA and sometims exceed 2500 kVa as stand alone units.
Portable generators on the other hand are used to
provide power in places that don't have any, such as
construction sites or other remote locations.
In an emmergency
they can also be used to power essential equipment during
a power outage, just like standby generators.
However, unlike standby generators, they're designed to be used for short
periods of time and as a result tend to be much smaller
and less expensive.
What size Generator
The correct size of generator will provide just enough
wattage to operate all your essential equipment.
Too few watts and you will overwork the electric generator, potentially damaging it and anything plugged into it.
Too many watts and you would have wasted money on the
initial purchase and on the fuel to run it. A diesel engine
does not tolerate working for extended periods at idle.
What size Generator do I need ?
There are proper ways to assess the size electric generator you need - and ways to avoid.
Firstly, you can determine the power you're using directly by using an ammeter, which that measures electrical current. A qualified electrician can determine exactly how much power each piece of equipment needs.
Total up the
watts the electrician measured for each item to be powered
by the generator, and you will have the baseline power you'll need.
DJN Power are prepared to visit your location and do this as part of the whole process.
The way not to decide what size you need is to estimate.
There are a lot of unscrupelous dealers who can often come
up with a good guess as to what size electric generators your business might need - but they should rather work with you in tallying up all the devices you want to power before finalizing
the decision.
Rules of thumb based on the size of business is never a good substitute for actual investigation of the devices your generator
will be powering.
Also take into account that any electronic appliance with
significant moving parts such as fans, pumps, compressors on refrigerators or air conditioners - can require up to three times
as much electricity to start up than it does to run continuously.
Once you are factored in your startup requirements, you will
have an idea of how many watts you will need from your
generator. To avoid overworking your generator, you should
plan on purchasing a machine with a rated capacity of
around 20% more than your exact requirements. This will
give you room to add a few small devices, in addition to helping extend the lifespan of the generator.
Generator buying considerations
Once you determine the size generator you require, there are several considerations to keep in mind about your generator purchase.
Components and Parts.
It's important to note that most generator manufacturers don't actually build their own motors. They use engines from
well-known brands such as Perkins, Cummins, Volvo and
Caterpillar to power their Alternators.
When choosing a
generator, look for one that comes with a brand name
motor that has not been copied as it
will be much easier to find parts and service for a
well-established brand than for some no-name model.
Additional features
Safety features can prevent injuries as well as damage your generator. DJN Power quality standby generators will shut
down if they lose oil pressure, overheat, or are being
overworked. Standby generators should have solid steel or aluminum enclosures, good mufflers to reduce noise, and be compliant with all relevant emissions regulations as set
out by the EPA…Environmental Protection Agency.
Installing the standby generator.
For those businesses wanting to purchase a standby
generator, DJN Power normally takes time-out to visit
the site and evaluate what it will take to install the system.
Depending on your location, we may offer delivery, installation,
and maintenance services directly. If we don't, we'll certainly
be able to put you in touch with qualified electricians
and plumbers to help install your system.
Who should Install your Generator
Because standby generators are wired into your business's electric system, proper installation is critical.
Shoddy installation work can cause the generator to fail or overheat, as well as damage your existing wiring and equipment.
The location of your existing electric service panel and distributon board is important, and the generator would normally sit outside but as close to your building as possible. It is best if it can be positioned near the Distribution board as cabling is very expensive. The generator will need to be installed on a level surface - most commonly, a concrete pad but occasionally hard rubber.
Electrical connections
To connect a standby generator to your existing electrical
system, you'll need a separate device called an
automatic transfer switch. The transfer switch is an
essential a safety system that prevents your generator
from feeding electricity back to the neighborhood power grid.
When the power goes out, the generator will start up
automatically, and after a few seconds, in order to stabilize,
the transfer switch will connect the generator to your premises. When power comes on again, the switch will disconnect the generator and return your setup to normal.
Do not attempt to install a transfer switch yourself!
Installation of transfer switches may require local permits,
but it always requires a professional electrician. The model of transfer switch will depend mainly on the size of your generator.
In very high-priority situations such as hospitals, higher-end transfer switches can be worth the extra cost.
Finding The Competent Dealer
Competent dealers of commercial generators can make a big difference in your overall satisfaction with your backup power system. You'll need understandable answers to complicated questions - look for a dealer who is knowledgeable and
dedicated to generator sales and service and has been for
a while. Large industrial or construction equipment dealers who happen to sell generators as a side business may offer a
good price - but they won't have the expertise of a dealer
who's more dedicated to selling and servicing commercial generators.
Because maintenance and service are so important, you'll most often want a generator dealer in your local area.
A more distant dealership can sometimes connect you with
licensed service technicians in your area, which can be okay
but is generally not the preferred arrangement.
Ask what maintenance services they'll provide. At a minimum, a standby generator requires an annual checkup of oil levels, air flow, and other factors.
Other questions to ask:
How many technicians do they have?
How many Service Vehicles?
How long have they been in business?
How many commercial generators similar to yours have they installed in the last year?
Which brands do they work with the most?
How long have they carried the brand you're interested in?
Generator prices
You can spend R 4000 on a small generator from a
hardware store to R 3 500 000 on a large standby generator.
Accurately determining the watts you need will help you get a generator that can meet your electrical demands without
spending too much.
Generator service contracts and warranties
A well-maintained generator can last quite a long time.
However, they do require consistent maintenance.
Most of the wear is concentrated on the motor: changing oil
and injectors, checking coolant, and other engine
maintenance all need to be done on at least an annual basis
For this reason, it's best to choose a dealer who offers a service plan that includes yearly visits.
Pricing for a service plan will vary according to the size and
type of generator you select - for example, large, liquid cooled generators take longer to service.
Your dealer should offer
at least a two year parts and labor warranty with the sale of
a new generator. Make sure you know what the warranty covers: some are front to back whilst others cover only certain
parts of the generator.
DJN Power Buying Tips
Have a competent engineer or electrician do a load analysis
of the business or building you need to supply power to.
Don't overload your generator. Make sure you're comparing the rated PRIME capacity of various models, not STANDBY c
A generator can deliver its STANDBY capacity for no
more than 30 minutes before starting to overheat - rated capacity
is the level of power a generator can deliver on an ongoing basis. Usually, it's around 90% of the STANDBY power.
Include everything you need... Some of the more important devices to connect to a standby generator are some of the least visible: sump pumps, sewage ejector pumps, and ventilation
fans. Do a careful inventory of your electrical devices before committing to a certain wattage level.
...and the least critical items you don't. The single best way
to save money on a standby generator is to limit the amount of devices you expect it to power. Consider that most power
outages last less than a day - can't your office deal without air conditioning for a few hours?
Use a Qualified Certified Electrician for installation.
Experienced interior electricians may not be as familiar
with electric generators as they are with other types of
electrical systems. Choose someone who's installed standby generators before and make sure they do all work up to code.
For a Free quote contact :- www.djn.co.za
OR Tel 0861GENSET