How do you choose and size a Diesel Generator?

1. How to choose and size a Diesel Generator

2. Why Diesel Generators are preferred for Emergency Standby Power and Hospital Backup

3. What our Diesel Generator product parameters are

4. FAQs & contact — common questions answered, brand mention, how to reach us

How do you choose and size a Diesel Generator?

When a customer considers purchasing a diesel generator, a number of deep and practical questions should guide the decision.

• How much load will the generator need to carry (kW or kVA)?
  It’s essential to list all equipment (lights, HVAC, IT, pumps, motors) that must run during outage, sum their starting and running power, and apply an appropriate safety margin (commonly 20–30% extra).

• Why choose a standby-rated vs continuous-duty generator?
  Standby (emergency) models are optimized for low-hours-of-use but high reliability when needed; continuous (prime) models are built to run 24/7 under full load. Choosing standby when you need continuous can lead to underperformance or shortened life.

• What fuel consumption and runtime do I need?
  You should ask what liters per hour the generator uses at 50 %, 75 %, and 100 % loads, and ensure the fuel tank is sized to run for required hours (e.g. 8, 12, 24 h) with margin for safety.

• How is the generator controlled, protected, and integrated (ATS, AMF, control panels)?
  A fully automatic transfer switch (ATS) or AutoMains-Failure (AMF) system is critical to detect power loss and start the generator without manual intervention.

• Why consider noise, emissions, and enclosure design?
  In urban or hospital environments, noise levels, emissions compliance, and acoustic canopies or sound-attenuation housing are important design considerations.

• What warranties, service intervals, parts support exist?
  A strong warranty and global parts network reduce downtime and risk.

By structuring your buying process around these layered questions, you ensure your selected diesel generator truly meets your needs and site constraints.

Why Diesel Generators excel in Emergency Standby Power & Hospital Backup

Emergency Standby Power

In many scenarios—storms, grid faults, natural disasters—utility power fails unpredictably. Emergency standby power via diesel generators ensures critical systems stay online. 

Diesel gensets are widely used because they:

• Start quickly (typically seconds) after grid failure

• Are robust under heavy loads and transient conditions

• Offer long shelf life with proper maintenance

• Are fuel-efficient compared to alternatives in many load regimes

In many regulations, emergency generators are exempt from strict emissions controls when used only during outages (plus limited testing) — because they run rarely but must perform reliably.

Hospital Backup Generator

Hospital Backup Generator have zero tolerance for outages. Life-safety systems rely on a backup source that must be reliable, redundant, and fast.

 Features typically required include:

• Dual or synchronized generators for N+1 redundancy

• Uninterruptible power integration (to allow seamless switchover for sensitive equipment)

• Fuel capacity for extended run (often days)

• High priority load segmentation (operate critical zones first)

• Regular automatic self-tests and diagnostics

Hospitals also often require continuous load support for critical systems, so the diesel generator may need to operate more frequently than typical standby units.

What are the technical specifications of our Diesel Generator units?

Here is a sample comparison of our core diesel generator models. (These are indicative; custom configurations are available.)

Key Notes on Specification Table

• Standby vs Prime: Standby rating is allowed only during utility outage; prime is for prolonged continuous duty.

• Fuel consumption: Measured at ~75 % load; varies with engine tuning and ambient conditions.

• Noise level: Measured at point 7 m in free field.

• Control features: ATS = Automatic Transfer Switch; AMF = Automatic Mains Failure; remote control via GSM/GPRS possible.

Additionally, our generators are configured with:

• Oversized alternator design to handle transient surges

• Full protection suite (overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, frequency, temperature)

• Advanced cooling systems for hot climates

• Parallel synchronization ability (for multiple units working in tandem)

• Smart digital controller with event log, predictive maintenance alerts

Sizing & Load Matching Example (How We Recommend)

Suppose a hospital wing has:

• Lighting, HVAC, pumps: 180 kW

• Critical systems (ICU, labs): 120 kW

• Surge & startup margin: 20 kW

Total ~320 kW. We would therefore size to ~400–420 kW standby capacity (≈ 500 kVA unit) to cover startup surges and future growth.

We also often recommend at least two units (e.g. 2 × 300 kVA) to allow maintenance redundancy and load sharing.

Diesel Generator — Common FAQs

Q: What is the difference between kVA and kW?
A: kVA is the apparent power (voltage × current), while kW is the real (usable) power. In three-phase systems, kW = kVA × power factor (usually ~0.8).

Q: How long can a diesel generator run continuously?
A: That depends on fuel tank size and load. At 75 % load, many units run 12–24 hours or more; for 7–10 days, external bulk fuel supply or refueling plan is needed.

Q: How often should I perform maintenance on a diesel generator?
A: Basic checks (oil, coolant, filters) every 100 hours; more comprehensive servicing at 500 or 1000 hours. Load bank testing annually is also strongly advised.

Why these FAQs matter in SEO & buyer decision

By embedding these frequently asked questions, we not only optimize SEO for typical search queries like “diesel generator FAQ,” “kVA vs kW,” and “generator runtime,” but we also educate prospective buyers, build trust, and improve conversion.

Emergency Standby Power: deeper view

When grid failure occurs, the transition to backup power must be seamless. A well-engineered diesel generator system integrated with ATS/AMF ensures:

• Automatic detection & start within seconds

• Voltage and frequency regulation under load swings

• Fueling and cooling systems sized for worst-case environment

• Self-test routines (weekly or monthly) to verify readiness

• Load shedding logic so noncritical loads can be dropped to preserve power for mission-critical systems

Moreover, in large installations multiple gensets may operate in parallel, sharing load proportionally. Each unit must synchronize in phase, voltage, and frequency before connecting. Improper synchronization can damage equipment.

Hospital Backup Generator: specialized demands

Hospitals demand extremely high reliability. Some design principles include:

1. Redundancy (N+1, N+2) — at least one spare generator

2. Layered loads — prioritize life-safety circuits (OR, ICU, monitoring)

3. UPS integration — for seamless switchover for sensitive equipment

4. Automatic self-test & diagnostics — to avoid latent faults

5. Low-noise and emissions control — since hospitals often in urban zones

Because hospital systems may run more often (especially for HVAC, labs), the gensets may see more hours than typical emergency units. Thus, some hospital gensets are “standby plus usage” models, blurring the line between standby and prime.

The impact of a generator failure in a hospital includes patient risk, equipment damage, reputational and regulatory consequences — so quality and reliability are nonnegotiable.

Summary & Brand Mention + Contact

At Kecheng, we manufacture and supply a wide range of diesel generator sets — from 150 kVA up to multi-megawatt containerized units — with advanced control systems, paralleling capabilities, and global support. Whether your project is a hospital wing, data center, industrial plant or emergency backup for a facility, Kecheng generators deliver performance and peace of mind.

If you want to evaluate your power needs or request a custom configuration, please contact us today — we’re ready to assist you with system design, quotation, and after-sales support.