In The Old Days, a Lighted Torch or Candle Served as The Power Supply

In the old days, a lighted torch or candle served as the power supply. Today, we have much more than a temporary light source to worry about when the power fails. We need to find ways to run our electrical appliances, computer equipment, and in some cases, telecommunication systems. Stationary and portable generators keep our homes and businesses operational in absence of the regular power supply. A portable generator is a freestanding unit designed to temporarily provide power through cords plugged into its body. In general, it features a 500 watt to 15.7 kilowatt power output and is designed to run for up to 12 hours. Fuel sources for these units include regular gas, diesel, natural gas, propane, or biodiesel. Most units are air-cooled, requiring operation in open spaces and they should also be protected from weather elements. Portable units are designed for backup power needs that are temporary or low. They can be used to power air conditioners, refrigerators, lights, sump pumps, and medical equipment. Aside from a home, these are found in recreational vehicles, farms, and construction sites. Sound insulation is not usually included, so these small generators may be loud. Portable generators cannot adequately meet high power needs for a long period. Businesses and other large enterprises instead use stationary generators. This permanent standby unit is hardwired into the power distribution panel and started manually or automatically when a power outage occurs. An automatic transfer switch isolates all electrical wiring from the regular utility grid and triggers the generator to function. Stationary generators provide approximately three to several hundred kilowatts of power for extended periods. When the primary power source comes back online, a reverse action occurs, causing the generator to revert to standby mode. The transfer time is between ten and 30 seconds so businesses must make uninterrupted power supply provisions to avoid the shutdown of computer systems. That said, regardless of which generator type you get, it should still be obvious that you need to get a generator for the sake of security. Backup power is always important. Source: dieselgenerator.org