Generator Uses: What Modern Man Must Appreciate

The world is a much productive and safer place because of electricity – this is fact. But without generators that sustain the need for electrical supply during emergencies, do you ever stop to think what would happen where hours, days or even weeks are spent without electricity? Here are generator uses that man only tends to appreciate when the main supplier of electricity goes down -

A Steady Backup Power

Generators are mainly used for electric power generation. There are two main types of generators which are portable and standby generators. These generators ensure that important appliances can still run even during power outages.

A standby generator provides backup power in many homes and offices. This is often permanently installed outside homes and commercial buildings. It is plugged to the home wiring or electrical circuits.

Standby generators are manufactured to automatically detect electric supply disruption. They are used to supply power within just a few seconds after the power has been cut off.

Hospitals and nuclear power plants – not just homes – need steady electrical supply even during power outages. Hospitals need light, power machines, air filtration devices, and many such machines that keep patients alive. Should the power grid fail, these hospitals need a means to keep the machines functioning, hence, generators are always on the standby inside their buildings. Backup generators provide the minimum power level so that life-saving machines get to run during an outage.

While it may seem strange that a nuclear power plant needs backup power, this is actually the truth. Backup generators are crucial in safely shutting down nuclear power plants during power loss. Backup diesel generators can keep batteries charged which, in turn, allow the reactors to shut the fusion down at a slow pace. This process prevents an event called the nuclear meltdown.

Power in Remote Areas

A portable generator, on the other hand, is used in places where there is no supply of electrical power. This is also used in sites where less power is needed such as in the case of construction and camping sites. This kind of generator can run appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, even furnaces. 

People who live off the grid, those who do not have much choice when it comes to power, can make good use of diesel or gas generators. These devices are compact and efficient and they can provide electrical power for many days. These power sources can give a small home ready access to heating, lighting and cooking.

As for construction sites that need higher amounts of electrical power, there will always be those large generators to supply their electrical needs. Bigger generator sets can run tools, task lights, and eventually get the job done. Generators keep the construction workers working even during the wee hours of the night.

Generators come in different output power and sizes. Your choice in purchasing the right kind of generator is dependent upon factors like voltage rating, wattage capacity, fuel efficiency, fuel type, portability, noise level, and even price.

Most generators run on fuels like propane, diesel, gasoline and natural gas. Each of these has its own pros and cons. But if you want to be earth friendly then you must use only natural gas.

Natural gas is efficient and is also highly dependable for different domestic uses. It is always available compared to other fuel types. Even when there are international events such as oil price hikes, you can count on natural gas generators to provide good, clean power for you.

Ample Power Supply

Other generator uses include meeting the basic power demands of a small household. Purchasing larger generators means you will consume more fuel in order to power more and bigger appliances.

Should you have a home that has a limited number of appliances such as simple TV set, main lights, refrigerator and sump pumps; all that you would need is a 5-kilowatt portable generator.

Electric Hazards: Preventing The Ouch

Modern man is in need of electricity, this is no secret. Whether he is at home or working, electrical power is essential to his existence. Yet with the use of this great power comes electric hazards. Many have only realized electrical power as a force to reckon with once they start encountering hazards. If this is so dangerous, what then would happen to people who need to work constantly with the dangerous electrical currents?

Engineers, electronic technicians, electricians and power line workers all need to work directly with electricity. To handle their jobs safely, it is important to understand how it behaves, how it can be directed, and what hazards it can bring about. The simple operation of an electric switch can be considered dangerous where water or any other conductor gets involved.

Electrical resistance is gauged in ohms. There are three determining factors which are –

• The nature of the substance
• The length of the substance (size of the cross-sectional area)
• The substance temperature

A few substances like metals offer the lowest resistance to electrical current. These are called conductors. Other stuff such as pottery, dry wood and plastic offer high resistance, on the other hand. In fact, things that have the highest resistance to electricity can be used to prevent electrocution. They are what’s known as insulators.

Some of the insulators can also serve as conductors when saturated with water. This is the case with wet wood with its resistance dropping to the lowest point and it readily becomes a conductor. This is also the case with the human skin.

Human skin can be fairly resistant to electric current when it is dry but when it is moist, its resistance can radically drop. Pure water is considered a poor conductor but the smallest amounts of impurities like acid and salt can make it a ready conductor. Wherever water is present on the skin or in the environment, expect electricity to be conducted.

Electric Shock

Electricity can travel only in closed circuits. Electric shocks occur when the human body becomes a component of the electric circuit. The current enters the body at one point and leaves at another.

There are three factors that affect the severity of the electric shock. The first is the amount of current that is flowing, the path of the current passing through the human body, and lastly, the length of time that the body has been exposed to the circuit.

Burns and Injuries

The most common electric hazards include burns and other electrical accidents. Kinds of burns include electrical burns, thermal contact burns and arc burns.

Tissues or bones that became conductors of electricity are what’s known as electrical burns. The tissue damage is brought about by the heat that was generated.

Thermal contact burns occur when the skin comes in contact with overheated conduits, conductors, and any energized equipment. Flash or arc burns occur when high temperatures are produced by an arcing or explosion.

Prevention Is Key

Electrical accidents can be prevented by safe work practices and some protective devices. The use of insulation, for instance, makes man highly resistant to electric current. Use mica, glass, rubber or plastic when handling or whenever near electricity.

Guarding is yet another way to keep hazards at bay. Live parts of electrical equipment that operate at 50 or more volts have to be placed in enclosures or handled by qualified professionals. Partitions may also be used in the absence of enclosure units. Elevation can also keep your loved ones from being electrocuted (especially in the case of younger children).

Grounding

Protect your loved ones or employees from electric shocks by grounding an electrical system or tool. When this is done, a low-resistance path is created to the earth. When done professionally, this can prevent voltage buildup.

Safe Work Practices

Of course, nothing prevents electric hazards better than being knowledgeable of safety procedures whether at work or at home. Training can ensure that safe work practices are correctly implemented.