A generator set is a unit consisting of an engine and generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It can run on various fuel sources and can range in size from small handheld units to larger sets installed in buildings. Some include additional components such as fuel containers, voltage regulators, or inverters. They are often used in locations where electrical power is unavailable or has been cut off, and can be used as standby power in critical installations such as hospitals.
A generator set generally consists of an engine and generator mounted together as a single unit. In some applications, a generator set may include other components, such as a fuel container, voltage regulator or inverter. The main function of the set is for the electric generator to convert mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. Generator sets can run on a variety of fuel sources and are often used in locations where electrical power is unavailable or has been cut off. They can range in size from small handheld units to larger sets installed on vehicles, trailers or even in buildings.
Many generator sets include components other than the required electric engine and generator. Portable generator sets typically include a fuel tank. This can allow these hand-operated compact units to be moved as needed without worrying about an additional fuel source. Many other generator sets include things like speed controllers to control the rotational speed of the engine; voltage regulators to tightly control voltage output; and inverters to help make the electrical output more suitable for running delicate electronic components.
A generator set can technically run on any fuel source capable of powering the engine component. Some of the most common fuel sources are often things like gasoline, diesel, propane and natural gas. Smaller, manual units most often run on gas, while larger building-mounted units are typically run on natural gas when available, or run on tanks of diesel in other applications. Vehicle-mounted generator sets, such as those found in recreational vehicles, often use the same fuel source as the vehicle’s main engine. Such units may also have their own fuel tanks if the generator engine and vehicle engine run on different fuel types. If the unit runs on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), it can simply be connected to the propane tank.
A potentially useful application for a generator set is as standby power in critical installations. Buildings such as hospitals, where a power outage could cause loss of life or other undesirable and costly damage, often use built-in generator sets. In these cases, a large generator set will often be installed on site and wired into the building via a patch panel. The specifics of the installation vary, although there are systems which automatically start the generator set after a power failure, switch the building from faulty mains power to the generator and then switch the generator off again once power is restored.
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