Industrial Diesel Generator Set Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One?

Generators provide a source of backup power during power outages and they are essential for businesses. Industrial diesel generators play an important role in keeping industries up and running. Many companies consider these machines as a must-have to optimize efficiency and avoid opportunity costs from power loss. In this article, we'll explore industrial diesel generator sets and help you know how to choose the right one for your needs.  

What is an industrial diesel generator?

An industrial diesel generator is a type of generator that produces electricity by burning diesel fuel, which is designed to withstand the demands of industrial work. Industrial diesel generators are larger in capacity and more rugged compared to commercial or residential diesel generators. Typically, these generators can produce 150kw to 2 megawatts of power, which can be used in any setting that needs massive amounts of backup power to keep their systems running. They can meet the required power requirements of large-scale businesses like construction sites, factories, power plants, and any other industrial applications.

What are the types of industrial diesel generator sets?

There are a variety of industrial diesel generators on the market. They come in different types based on their combustion cycle, characteristics, intended use, or cooling system. For example,  industrial diesel generators can be divided into two-stroke diesel generators and four-stroke diesel generators based on the combustion cycle. A two-stroke engine completes a power cycle with two strokes of the piston during only one crankshaft revolution. A four-stroke engine is completed by the four processes of intake, compression, combustion expansion and exhaust. The former is commonly used in small-scale applications and the latter are more commonly used in larger industrial applications.

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Based on the characteristics, industrial diesel generator sets can be divided into portable generators, inverter generators and standby generators. Portable generators have the advantages of ease of use, flexibility and portability. They can deliver the comfort of electricity without installation. Typically, these generators are designed for limited usage and need to be started manually. Inverter generators can generate clean, stable power by using advanced technology, which can be used for various household appliances or tools. They are mostly small and easy to carry to places. Standby generators are used as a backup power source in the event of an outage. They are commonly used in critical systems such as data centers, hospitals, and other essential services that cannot afford to lose power and provide peace of mind to business owners.

Industrial diesel generator sets can also be divided into air-cooled generators and liquid-cooled generators. Air-cooled generators use the surrounding air to cool the engines, which operate without complex cooling systems. They are a preferred choice for many homeowners.  Liquid-cooled generators, also called water cooled generators, typically use a radiator and coolant to regulate the engine temperature. They are larger and more powerful than air-cooled generators.

How to choose a right industrial diesel generator?

Shopping for an industrial diesel generator is not a simple task, you need to take many factors into consideration. The following are a few primary considerations:

Power requirements

Before purchasing an industrial diesel generator, you need to consider the generator size you need for your business. Calculate your total power requirements in kilowatts to choose the correct generator size. Firstly, add up the running wattage of all the equipment you want to support during a power outage. These figures are typically inscribed somewhere on the equipment itself, as well as recorded in the owner’s manual. Please be noted that equipment with motors or compressors draw more power on startup than while in operating mode. Thus, you should take into account the starting load of the equipment in question. To ensure the generator can handle your power needs, determine your maximum need and add 20% to the total for safety. To look for the generator that best fits your needs, it’s also important to know technical details like future expansion plans and any other power requirements that you need for your project or jobsite.

Make and model

Industrial diesel generators are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations from different generator manufacturers. When you buy a diesel generator set for your business, it’s also essential to consider the brand. Some leading industrial generator manufacturers include Cummins, Perkins, MTU, and Volvo. For industrial operations, picking the best generator brands is about choosing a brand that stands for reliability, efficiency, and support. Though buying a high-quality industrial diesel generator needs a high upfront cost, it also means fewer issues and maintenance in the future.  

To maximize your business’s efficiency, some additional generator features should also be considered. key features to look for in an industrial diesel generator may include remote monitoring, safety switches like automatic shut-off switches, mounting pads, enclosures,LCD and LED displays, etc.

Dingbo Power is a leading provider of diesel generators, encompassing a full range of high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for all your power generation needs. We have a large selection of diesel generators from top manufacturers like Volvo, Perkins, Cummins, MTU, Yuchai and Shangchai. Our industrial diesel generator sets can be customized to meet your specific requirements. If you need more help choosing the perfect industrial diesel generator for your business, please contact us today .