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A genset (also known as an electric generator or power generation equipment) is an engine and alternator that generates electrical power. These portable machines are commonly used in places without access to a power grid; as backup power sources; and at construction sites and homes.

Buy gensets on Surplus Record, where dealers and buyers connect through a transparent marketplace. Founded 97 years ago, the website has been an invaluable resource for buyers and sellers of industrial machinery and equipment.

Residential

If you want to ensure your home has a back up power source in case of a grid failure, then a residential generator for sale is a good investment. Standby generators connect permanently to your house’s electrical system and are automatically activated by a transfer switch when an outage occurs. Buy gensets for you residential home, apartments and etc.  The switch senses a loss of utility voltage and isolates your house’s wiring or designated emergency circuits from the grid before automatically reconnecting to your genset. These systems are usually equipped with a battery charger to help maintain your battery and a control panel that monitors the operation. A qualified electrician should be consulted to run the generator wiring to your house’s electrical box and appliances. Purchasing online can offer advantages such as lower prices and no sales tax in some states.

Emergency Response

Hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms, scorching heat, and wildfires highlight the need for emergency power solutions. Commercial buildings, hospitals and a variety of public services rely on backup diesel gensets for safety and security.

Gensets with automatic power transfer systems are crucial in areas prone to power interruptions. In healthcare environments, they help sustain the functionality of life-saving equipment. They also keep communications hubs operational, preventing outages that could impede information flow during crises. In residential settings, gensets ensure heating or cooling systems operate in the event of a power outage. Strategic sizing and regular testing help them meet specific energy demands. Some gensets have paralleling built into the unit, which helps minimize costs and save space for future expansions. They can run on diesel or natural gas depending on homeowner preferences.

 

Construction

Gensets are found in a wide variety of industries and locations. Hospitals, for instance, use gensets to provide backup power in case of a storm or area blackout. They also power refrigerated reefer containers for overseas shipping so that temperature-sensitive materials like ice cores can maintain their ideal conditions during long land/truck voyages.

These gensets use an engine that runs on fuel to drive an alternator, which then converts the fuel's chemical energy into mechanical energy. The alternator then produces electricity by spinning the rotor through a magnetic field. Some gensets include a voltage regulator to ensure that the generator's electrical output stays constant rather than fluctuating. They can also have a battery charger to keep the genset's battery charged. A control panel is another important component of a genset, as it's the brain that controls all the other parts of the unit.