Sometimes there is a need for backup power. This usually happens in cases where you need uninterrupted power supply of a country house or municipal facility. The reasons why it is necessary to organize backup power are quite a few. Among the leaders are the deterioration of power supply systems, intensive development in the area, mismatch of characteristics due to increased needs, as well as others.
Why do I need backup power?
As a result of all these reasons, there is a systematic power outage, constant changes, phase imbalance. This problem is familiar to many. For example, in some schools, when conducting a unified state exam, it is necessary that video surveillance be broadcast in real time. If a power outage occurs, then passing the exam in a specific paragraph is invalidated.
In such conditions, one cannot even talk about the guaranteed resource of various devices. For example, some models of gas boilers or computer equipment are demanding on voltage quality. Therefore, with a critical decrease, the power supply unit of the device simply can not start, protection will start to work. In our article, we will consider how to correctly use the backup source of power supply of an object - municipal or private.
What time should the source be calculated
Here it is necessary to mean for how long it is necessary for the site to be powered from an independent power source. It should be noted that some devices are designed for continuous long-term operation. Gasoline, diesel, gas generators sometimes require a stop from time to time. For example, air-cooled gasoline generators .
It is also worth noting that some companies have in their price list services for installing electrical wiring directly to the power line (bypassing the local substation). After all, it is sometimes unrealistic to organize the power supply of the site in another way. In order to lay communication, you can use either a cable laid along the trench or an overhead line. It is better if the organization has a license, and it not only entrusts all installation work, but also deals with the execution of all documents. This is just perfect.
But we can also highlight the disadvantage of this path. The cost of work is very high, since there is a need to establish a personal substation. But if there are many neighbors and they are friendly, then you can install one substation on several houses. If in the microdistrict there are difficulties with power supply, this will be considered the most acceptable option. And in this case, you will get rid of power outages, and its quality will be almost perfect. Any equipment can work without problems.
What you need to power
As for redundant power supplies, it is necessary that they provide electricity to only those devices that must be constantly functioning. Therefore, you need to sit down in advance and decide which appliances will be powered from backup sources. For example, it can be a boiler, freezer, refrigerator. Even a wireless internet source can be included in this list.
It is worth noting that autonomous backup power sources are units that are capable of generating voltage to power the equipment installed in the building. Moreover, it should work regardless of the citywide power supply network.
It is also worth noting that most of the devices are powered by a single-phase voltage of 220 V. It also happens that there are devices in the home that need to supply not one but three phases with a voltage of 380 V. Therefore, it is important to consider them if they are constantly used. Fortunately, such devices are extremely rare in everyday life, they are usually installed in industrial premises.
Reserve Power
If you follow the instructions of experienced professionals, you need to focus on an indicator of 20 kW. This is the maximum power that a backup power source must give. For a small country cottage, of course, if this is not a huge palace, in which a large number of various devices, this power is enough. But this is only if the option with the inclusion of all devices in the network will be used.
In the same case, if it is planned to power only the main electrical appliances, a smaller unit power is enough. For example, if you turn on a heating boiler, a circulation pump, a TV, a refrigerator, and also lighting at the same time, then a generator with a power of not more than 4 kW is enough. In the same case, if an autonomous water supply system is installed in the house, then the pumping station will be switched on from time to time. Be sure to consider its power. In addition, all electrical appliances that have engines, at the time of start-up, consume about 25% more current than in the established operating mode.
Be sure to consider inrush currents. It is necessary to take into account the fact that in the future the total power of electrical appliances may increase. Therefore, it is necessary that the power of all electrical appliances is not more than 80% of the same characteristics of the generator.
As you can see, there are enough nuances. Therefore, it is necessary to identify all devices that must be constantly connected to the network. Be sure to calculate their total power, then multiply by 1.5. So you can make a small margin of power. Suppose you thought that the total power of all consumers in the house is 5.5 kW. Therefore, if you increase this value by one and a half times, you will get 8.25 kW. This means that the generator power must be more than 8.25 kW.
Fuel type
Now let's talk about what type of fuel is best used for a backup source. There are a lot of options. You can use gas, gasoline, diesel. The main thing when choosing an option is to determine what it will be cheaper and more convenient to work with.
By the way, gas generators can even be connected to a household network. Of course, this must be coordinated with the gas service. The most acceptable are gasoline and diesel generators. They are unpretentious and work stably.
Where to put the generator
The installation location of the generator is determined by the dimensions of the source. It also depends on the design features. For example, diesel devices not only generate electricity, but also smoke heavily. Therefore, you need to do a quality hood. Devices on which there is no casing make a lot of noise. Therefore, they are best placed in an extension or in a barn. When installing a backup power source, it is not necessary to install batteries at all. Therefore, you need to take a place only under the generator.
In the event that the backup power is installed on the street, pay attention to what method of starting it has. And it can be launched both from the battery and manually. True, there are devices with automatic start when the voltage in the network is lower than normal.
Gas generators
If your home has a gas supply, then installing a gas generator is the best option. Fuel for this device is the cheapest. The power of most products starts from 7 kW, and this is more than enough to power all electrical appliances in a country house.
True, the cost of a gas generator is 180 thousand rubles. But you need to consider how much you can save on fuel when comparing it with diesel or gasoline. And the most important thing is that there are practically no harmful emissions.
Gasoline generators
Common device options for providing home backup power. The design of gasoline engines is much simpler than diesel engines. Most of the owners of country houses have at their disposal a car. Therefore, knowledge of the principles of operation of an internal combustion engine is available. In addition, such generators are very easy to maintain. Therefore, such backup power sources in schools are used along with UPSs. The latter allow the equipment to work for 15-30 minutes. During this time, the gasoline generator is launched and the transition to the backup equipment. All equipment must be tested and have the appropriate documentation. This includes the act of checking the backup power source.
Diesel generators
It is worth noting that by this name you can mean several varieties of this technique at once. This includes diesel substations and diesel generators. The advantages of such units are that they can work non-stop for a long period of time. If compared with gasoline generators, then from these units do not form vapors that must be removed in order to ensure fire safety.
Of course, smoke from the device is intensively emitted, and for this reason it is necessary to make high-quality ventilation in the room in which the equipment is installed. In principle, it is possible to make the exhaust pipe as tight as possible, using a flexible corrugation to lengthen it and bring it to the street. In this case, all exhaust gases will go into the atmosphere. When providing backup sources of power supply to the building, it is necessary that all harmful exhaust from the room is vented to the atmosphere.
Redundant Alternative Power Supplies
We talked only about the most common devices that allow you to organize uninterrupted power. But we can distinguish others that are not used as often, but still it is worth mentioning them. These are solar panels, uninterruptible power supplies, construction on inverters. Judging by practice, then, regardless of the method of solving the problem of power supply, you still need to have a spare diesel or gas generator on hand.
Judging by the reviews of the owners of country houses, the most convenient for operation and repair are gasoline generators. It is worth noting that they can always be refilled directly from the gas tank of a car. In other words, the fuel for this generator can always be found, which can not be said about gas generators. If necessary, the test certificate of the backup power source is filled out. An example of such a document is given in our article. It is needed when installing such equipment in municipal and industrial buildings.
Combined system
It is worth considering that uninterruptible power supplies, solar panels, work for a short time. These devices come with batteries that need constant attention. Be sure to monitor their condition, recharge in a timely manner. Also, modern batteries, unlike obsolete samples, can not be repaired.
If you have a lot of free funds available, then the most appropriate solution is to install a complex, but reliable combined backup system. For example, during power surges, the power source from the uninterruptible battery is connected. If after some time there is no power supply, a diesel or gasoline generator is started.
Such a design will be costly, but you will completely eliminate power outages at home. Such a backup source of power supply of the facility will be able to work as stably as possible, and it does not need to be looked after often.