It’s something many home owners and business owners are investing in, but with so many on the market – which one is best for your specific building? There is always concern around whether or not a generator is installed correctly, and what the collateral household damage could be if it’s not. A question we get quite often at S&A Generators is, “will using a generator damage my electrical equipment?” To answer this question, we need to know about the two different types of generators on the market – and what you can do as a generator owner to prevent the damage of your home’s electrical gadgets and appliances.
Two types of generators
When it comes to commercially-sold generators, there are two types that are widely used across the world. These are inverter generators and non-inverter generators:
- Inverter Generators:
These are common on ‘best portable generators’ lists, and are a bit more complicated mechanically than their non-inverting cousins. Inverter generators feature batteries, alternators, and inverters. These take an unstable AC current, convert it to DC, and then back to stable AC. Because of this, the power output from inverter generators is considered more suited to running things like home appliances and electrical equipment.
- Non-Inverter Generators
These generators are more ‘old school’. They run on fossil fuels, as do many inverter generators, but there is no battery or power inversion process taking place. In other words, the current being created by the non-inverting generator is susceptible to fluctuation, which is not good news for the electrical appliances being powered by it.
Which one damages electrical equipment?
As you’ve likely figured out, non-inverting generators have the best chance of causing harm to electrical appliances and equipment. This is not to say that every generator of this kind will cause issues, but the safest bet is to invest in an inverter generator. Not only for the sake of your appliances, but also because the on-board battery is handy to have should your inverting generator run out of fuel.
Can you prevent electrical damage?
The answer to this question will always be YES. If you are still saving up for an inverter generator to replace your old non-inverting one, you can help keep your power output stable by ensuring that your generator is in good operating condition at all times. The best way to do this is with planned generator maintenance, where your generator is serviced every 3 months to keep it in peak condition all year long.
Looking for generator professionals in Durban?
Installing a residential or commercial generator makes sense in the age of load shedding, but not all generators are suited to every application. Likewise, not all generator service providers have over five decades of experience. We do, and we’re ready to assist you with any and all of your generator needs. Get in touch to discuss your generator!
