Types Of Generators: All You Need To Know About

A generator is an appliance used greatly to produce power for running various electronic devices. This world is using various types of generators to fulfilling different needs.

Home users mostly use standby generators that are installed outside the homes. Commercial buildings, construction sites, and other big institutes install generators to generate electricity. 

You can run lights, fans, refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines, and charge even cell phones, laptops, and tabs. They are best to use in areas or countries that face many power shortages.

Thai slides do not mean they are specific to those countries. Residents of other areas also use them anytime an unsudden power outage occurs, and at that time to get electricity, generators are the best source. 

The market is flooded with many different generators; each has its advantages and disadvantages.

From different generators, portables are suggested for small houses, and standby is installed in large commercial buildings and houses.

Michael Faraday was the first man who invented the first generator in 1832; it means it has a long history, and people have used it for centuries. 

When talking about different generator types, mainly portable, standby, solar, Inverter, and generators using different types of fuels such as diesel, propane, and natural gas are some of the basic types.

Additionally, there are two key kinds of generators: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) generators.

They are almost the same in generating electricity but have minor differences such as generators used for cars produce DC power, whereas generators for homes produce AC power. 

Let’s Discuss Different Types Of Generators In Detail!

Types Of Generators: A Quick Glance Through

• Portable Generators
• Inverter Generators
• Standby Generators
• Solar Generators
• Hydrogen Generators
• Gasoline Generators
• Natural Gas Generators
• Diesel Powered Generators
• Propane Gas Generators

The following are the most common types of generators, let’s dive into the detailed explanation of these generators.

1. Portable Generators:

The first type of generator is the best dual-fuel portable generator that uses either gas or diesel as fuel. Same as standby generators, they generate electricity using a combustion engine.

They are recommended for producing temporary electrical power for power tools and appliances on construction sites and remote locations.

You can wire the portable generators into a sub-panel for residential uses for providing electricity to the refrigerator, Washing machine or TV, etc. 

You can also use them by plugging the appliance into the power socket of your generator.

Portable generators are used for various applications as they offer different power configurations that best suit different types of uses. 

Portable generators are very handy for natural catastrophes when grid power breaks down.

They are best for small commercial areas such as shops, outdoor weddings and other events,  retail stores, construction sites, and residential purposes.

Farmers also used them for generating power for their agricultural equipment, such as drip irrigation systems or boring wells. 

Portable ones are ideal for those searching for electricity generation for the house and offices.

They are great at giving temporary electricity solutions, but the good news is that they are cheap and affordable.

Don’t try to install them outside the house as they need special care in uncertain weather situations. 

Read More about what is a Portable Generator

2. Inverter Generators:

Inverter generators can both be portable generators or whole-home generators. But they are somewhat different in the method of generating electricity.

Any standard generator generates electricity in a single phase; they can not keep a steady flow of electricity.

Inverter generators differ because they generate electricity in three different phases, firstly creating a high-frequency (AC) alternating current that inverts into a direct current (DC), and the last once more inverted to a stable AC output.

This looks complex, but this process helps produce clean energy or energy that remains stable during use. Because of this specialty, inverter generators are best suited to laptops and phones, known as sensitive electronics.

They also created little to no noise because of this stable energy output. 

Read More About what is an Inverter Generator

3. Standby Generators:

A backup generator is another name used for a standby generator. As the name suggests, they are used as a backup source of electricity and installed by owners of large houses and buildings such as plazas. They produce electricity using either gas or diesel as fuel.

Because they have large tanks, they can run for at least 48 hours without interruption.

One of the greatest things manufacturers add to standby generators is the automatic transfer switch which immediately starts when an uncertain power outbreak occurs in your area or any fault arises in home electricity.

They are best to provide permanent power solutions to users using internal combustion engines and automatic operation.

Hence, they are the first pick of owners of commercial markets. You don’t have to rush toward them when a power outage occurs; they are time-saving because they start automatically.

The best place to install them is clinics and hospitals. They can easily run various medical equipment such as X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, etc.

Owners of residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, and commercial establishments are connected with grid power, and in case of emergency, they need the power to lighten up their areas. In this situation, there is no need to go for others.

From various generators, always spend your hard-earned money on standby generators. The only thing to ponder is its price; yes, they are extremely costly and require maintenance from time to time. 

Read More About what is a Standby Generator

4. Solar Generators:

Sun is the biggest source of natural energy, and equipment that runs using solar power is known as solar power equipment.

One of the things using solar energy is a generator. People across the globe use solar plates to capture solar energy.

That energy is then used to charge the batteries of generators. When running a solar generator, the stored energy is used to produce electricity.

These generators also have an inverter that changes the power to an alternate current as different appliances run on AC. They are good to cater to the small need for electricity. 

Additionally, they don’t create unpleasant noise. There are some pitfalls, too, but they are still great as they use natural energy sources. First, they are heftily priced, and second, they are slower when charging batteries.

Read More About what is a Solar Generator

Category/Types Of Generators Based On Fuel Usage  

Generators run using different types of fuels, and they are then known by their fuel names, such as home diesel generators, gasoline, or hydrogen generators.

Let’s discuss them in detail! 

5. Hydrogen Generators:

Generators that run using hydrogen as a fuel are hydrogen-powered.

As you know, this is a cheap, inflammable, and clean fuel that produces more energy per pound than any other type of fuel. One thing to pinch your mind is its unavailability openly.

It is not easy to get like other fuels such as diesel or gasoline. Still, they are portable and used greatly in various environments such as laboratories.

They become safer and more secure if equipped with all the necessary safety features.

Read More About what is a hydrogen generator

6. Gasoline Generators:

The features, power, and suitable uses of lightweight portable generators that generate electricity using gas differ from inverter generators.

The generators use different types of fuel. But the most common fuel used by all standby and portable generator users is gasoline. 

People love having one of gasoline-powered generators as it is easily available, cheap, and easy to control.

Although the generator is less costly, the gasoline itself is a fuel for which you have to be paying more bucks.

Therefore, all those who have light pockets love buying them. The biggest disadvantage is the high number of emissions. 

Read More About what is a Gasoline Generator

7. Natural Gas Generators:

Generators that use natural gas for electricity generation come under standby generators. Although some portable generators also operate using natural gas, standby is more popular.

Compared to other gasoline and diesel-powered generators, these generators produce fewer emissions, hence are more environmentally friendly and ideal for home backup power. 

When used with proper care and maintenance, natural gas generators can even stay with you for years.

You have to lighten up your pocket more at the installation time, as the installation cost is high. Another pitfall is that they are vulnerable to chilly and extremely cold climates. 

Read More About what is a Natural Gas Generator

8. Diesel-Powered Generators:

The biggest advantage of diesel generators is that they run efficiently in cold temperatures if you fill their fuel tank with winter diesel fuel.

Please don’t go for regular fuel as it will freeze, making it difficult for the generator to start. 

Low burning temperatures of diesel put little strain on the electric engine than other fuels such as propane or gasoline. Thereby allowing them to stay with you for years as these things add durability.

Remember a very important point; diesel generators generate hazardous emissions that will be toxic if inhaled unluckily. 

Generators run on diesel provide more efficient power output than other standby gasoline generators. They also give cost-benefit as they are more fuel-efficient than any other fuel such as gasoline.

They are more weight and don’t fall under the portable generators category. They are only suitable for outdoor use and are costly and noisy too. 

Read More About what is a Diesel Powered Generator

9. Propane Gas Generators:

Propane Generators are more long-lasting than other diesel or gasoline-powered generators. The best thing about them is their environment friendliness because they burn cleanly.

Propane generators can be stored in any quantity and are comfortably available when a power outbreak occurs.

This fuel emits low emissions and is safe from wet stacking, common in other diesel generators. 

Propane fuel is not a burden on the pocket and makes the generator durable. Propane can start easily, even when the temperature is so chilly.

Another advantage is the quiet operations. Some of the drawbacks are that they are kept under pressure and explosive to a greater extent.

If not handled with care, they might explode. Propane generators are expensive, so if you can afford you can go for them but be very careful while using them. 

Read More about What Is A Propane Gas Generator

Final Words:

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Video Help:

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