Back up Generator

[mt29]

Afternoon all, I have been having some problems with electric cuts in my business (fault on the grid). They have informed me that they are again working on the grid this week and i may have loss of supply.

The electric board have suggested temporarily hiring and putting in a generator so i can still trade and that they will cover the costs.
My question is, is there a generator that feeds straight into the tails? As i have 4 consumer units running at once, i need a generator that can give me power to my whole installation.
Ones i have been looking at need to be wired to each circuit and this is to much work if i can get one that powers everything.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve]

You would need an electrician to install a changeover switch on the tails, with an appropriate plug inlet for the generator on it. Whats your business do?4 consumer units doesnt tell us anything, it could be one circuit serving every light fitting.

 

[ericmark]

The generator can be used with many different methods but from what you say it is only temporary and as such the expense of installing a change over switch and full standby arrangement seems OTT.

Often all that is done is to run extension leads to tills and a few statistically placed lights.

Have they said how long you will lose power for? One problem may be emergency lighting as of course the built in type normally only have a 3 hour life before needing re-charging so if the power is off for more than 3 hours you may need extra emergency lights.

However I expect you intend to hire the generator and most hire companies also will install as part of deal.

The big problem is with earthing as if supply is cut then that may also mean the earth is cut and there could be problems earthing a generator and you would not want to be responsible should anything go wrong. It would be far better to employ someone who will take over the responsibility for any problems on their PLI not yours and I would consider DIY is not really the way forward especially if the supplier is footing the bill.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

For your whole installation you will need:

1) A pretty large generator, with proper voltage regulation. What capacity do you need? Do you need 3-phase?

2) A pretty large changeover switch. Can you tolerate a brief loss of power while you get a generator going, or do you need it to be automatic?

3) A commercial/industrial electrician who knows what they are doing - this is not a DIY/handyman/domestic installer job.

 

[mt29]

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful.
I may not lose power at all but the electric board said it is fairly likely.

I need single phase. It is a small hotel so i cannot just run an extension lead as i need the kitchen / bar to be fully functional.

It sounds quite an involved job so i am going to ring the electric board and see if they can supply someone.

Thanks

 

[Steve]

Something like this:

Will set you back £683 for a week from HSS.

 

[ricicle]

A specialist generator hire company could be cheaper than a tool hire company................

 

[Steve]

A specialist generator hire company could be cheaper than a tool hire company................

Very true. I only did a quick google for "generator hire" HSS was one of the first non-sponsored links.

 

[Lectrician]

I would not bother with a CO switch, I would just get a spark to hire you a suitably sized gen and connect it up permentantly until the works is done.

TBH, the DNO will often supply and install one of their own gens in our area - they will connect it to the supply externally to your property where possible.

 

[Steve]

I've seen our DNO connect up a large generator to the output of a local substation. I think it supplied about 10 houses. It was there about 4 weeks while they could fix the HV fault.