The Diesel Generator: Running India!

What keeps India running? Well, we would love to say a million other things but in literal terms it is this small, sometimes large diesel chugging, weaved between nuts and bolts  kind of machine that runs houses, small set ups and business in our country.

A massive grid failure would lead any nation crippled. But the amount of preparedness seen in India (Thanks to the unreliability of the power grids) would usually make an otherwise blacked out time, well, unnoticeable.  Hospitals, houses, shop and establishments have equipped themselves for a power downtime, even if it means for 8 straight hours.

Entire industries and neighbourhood’s rely on diesel power, including India’s massive call center and outsourcing campuses, private apartment buildings and small shops. Even the most utilitarian things, like the telecom towers that help power India’s much-vaunted mobile phone revolution, are often powered by diesel.

So why is it critical to have your home/establishment powered up with generators?

For e.g. In a hospital, you would need generators to keep your dialysis machine running. Or powering the massive outsourcing belts to give non-stop service to their international clients. There is a high possibility that the apps that you are enjoying on your phone right now is thanks to a diesel generator powered telecom tower. 

Tell us the times when you don’t want to left with no power in the comments section below. And don’t forget to check out our gensets on www.mahindrapowerol.com  

How does a generator work?

Remember the age old joke. A professor asked an engineering student. How does a generator start? The student replies, “Drrrrrrrrrrr”. We still trip on this one. This is a blog for those who want to know how the ‘Drrrrrrrrr’ happens. Read on.

Fundamentally, a diesel generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. What it does it is converts the energy from motion into power. So basically, it is important to understand that a generator does not actually ‘create’ electrical energy. It uses the mechanical energy supplied to it to create a movement of electric charges in the wire of its windings through an external electric circuit. This flow of electric charges is now called electric current constitutes the output supplied by the generator.

The generator of today works on the principle of electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday. Faraday discovered by moving an electrical conductor in a magnetic field creates electric charges to flow, thus generating electric current.

The main components of an electric generator are

Engine
The engine is the source of the input mechanical energy to the generator.

Alternator
The alternator produces the electrical output from the mechanical input supplied by the engine.

Fuel System
The fuel system keeps the generator operational (move the engine).

Voltage Regulator
This component regulates the output voltage of the generator.

Cooling & Exhaust Systems
Continuous usage of the generator causes components to heat up. It is essential to have a cooling and ventilation system to cool the heat down. Exhaust fumes emitted by a generator contain highly toxic chemicals that need to be properly managed. Hence, it is essential to install an efficient exhaust system to dispose of the exhaust gases. 

Lubricating System
Since the generator comprises moving parts in its engine, it requires lubrication to ensure durability and smooth operations for a long period of time.

Battery Charger
The start function of a generator is battery-operated. The battery charger keeps the generator battery charged by supplying it with a precise ‘float’ voltage.

Now that you know how the generator functions, check out some really cool ones at www.mahindrapowerol.com

How to pick up the perfect portable emergency generator?

We rely on power more now than ever before. A power outage means lifts not working, businesses stopping, security alarms choking above all, a dead phone battery. It is extremely critical for us to prepare for a situation like this and more importantly ensure that the preparation is relevant. You don’t want to live in an illusion that the issues you thought are covered don’t actually fully equip you.

So how do we estimate the exact wattage requirement? We could go about counting every bulb and every power point or simply select one of the 3 sizes. Medium, Large or X-large.

Medium Emergency Generators

Don't let the name fool you, there is nothing mediocre or average about these. Medium emergency generators (3,000-5,000 watts) may be relatively small, but they pack a good punch.

Unlike smaller camping generators, medium-sized emergency portable generators can simultaneously power multiple survival appliances, including your refrigerator, a water pump, and an air-conditioner.

Large Emergency Generators

If you want to thrive instead of just survive, consider a large emergency portable generator (6,000-9,000 watts) instead. To tap its maximum potential, install a manual transfer switches that can restore power up to 10 circuits in your main electrical panel. In other words, they can energize multiple rooms in your home (minus a central air conditioner). 

X-Large Emergency Generators

If you want the strength of a home standby generator without the shackles of being tied down, get an X-Large portable emergency generator (10,000+ watts). These portable generator giants generate enough power to keep your central air conditioner running through a summer or a black out. While electric start is standard on most X-Large models, they are not automatic. So, if you're not home, the electric start button won't press start itself.

So those were some quick tips on selecting the right portable generator. However, we recommend you visit our store at http://www.mahindraemall.com/powerol and speak to our expert power consultants or drop in a message on our website www.mahindrapowerol.com

for us to get back to you and clear your queries.