Generator Relocation Archives

GENERATOR PLACEMENT GUIDELINES FOR DIESEL AND PETROL UNITS

The new generator in position and awaiting wiring to connect it to the client’s power system.

In South Africa, resilience is key, especially with Eskom’s unpredictable load shedding. Finding the right generator placement for backup electricity, including diesel or petrol generators, becomes crucial. These generators, affectionately known as ‘gennies,’ are vital for navigating through power outages, providing light and stability during the darkest hours.

While the whirring, purring, and (if it’s poorly maintained) rattling sound of generators has become a familiar tune around the neighbourhood, the skill of installing generators certainly isn’t commonplace.

Firstly, did you know that a licensed electrician is required to carry out generator installations? Secondly, were you aware that generator installations in South Africa must adhere to the South African National Standard (IS0 SANS 8528 series of standards)? Thirdly, you can’t pick and choose where you place your generator! Here are some critical guidelines to consider when deciding where to position your generator:

Don’t box the generator in.

Operate your generator outside in a ventilated space to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning due to engine exhaust. CO, a colourless, odourless gas, causes numerous fatalities annually by displacing oxygen in the blood, leading to oxygen deprivation. Symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and headaches, and it poses risks to unborn children and pets. Avoid installing your standby generator inside, including garages, under carports, or close to windows. Position the generator’s exhaust above your home’s roof to ensure fumes are dispersed by the wind. Always consult professional installers, adhere to local building codes, and use a transfer switch for safe standby generator installation.

Keep your generator on solid ground.

Generators, equipped with substantial engines and alternators, demand a stable, level surface to support their significant weight over time. For safe generator placement and installation, it’s crucial to position the generator at least five meters away from any residential building, adhering to local building codes and ensuring protection against carbon monoxide exposure. Planning ahead to identify a designated location is advisable. In the absence of a naturally flat area on your property, constructing a reinforced concrete pad provides a viable solution for mounting your standby or home generator securely, ensuring it meets installation requirements and safety standards for optimal operation during power outages.

Keep your generator dry.

Generators and water don’t mix. Exposure to any form of moisture, such as fog, can harm your generator, leading to possible injuries or expensive repairs. Protect your Generac home standby generator in damp environments by placing it on a consistently dry surface. Utilizing a weather cover or steel enclosure can safeguard your generator, provided it’s situated beneath a structure that allows for ample ventilation. Consulting with a professional electrician is advisable to determine the optimal venting solution tailored to your generator’s requirements.

LET THE SPECIALISTS AT S&A GENERATORS FIND THE RIGHT SPOT FOR YOUR GENERATOR

It’s one thing to invest in a generator. Having it correctly and safely connected to your building’s electrical circuit is something entirely different. As registered electricians, S&A Generators is licensed to source and fully install new and used generators in KwaZulu-Natal. We’re capable of relocating and installing some of the biggest generators around, and we’ll even advise you on the best generator covering for your specific generator. Contact us today for generator placement tips and more.

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S&A Project: Generator Relocation from Hilton to Wartburg, KZN

We recently took on a generator relocation project for a client based in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. He needed his generator decommissioned, transported cross-province, and reconnected at his new premises in Wartburg, KZN. The project took place between 12 and 16 August, and saw the deployment of our trusty S&A Generators crane truck. Below you’ll find out what the challenge was, what we were able to do for our client, and a few photographs of the project at various stages of completion:

The Problem

Our client, residing in Hilton just north of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, was requiring a generator relocation specialist to move his large generator to a location in Wartburg, KZN. Other than transporting the generator cross-province, this project required disconnecting the unit from the DB board in Hilton, and reconnecting it properly on-site in Wartburg. This required three members of our S&A Generators team (project head Gorwyne, electrician Siphelele, and assistant Velani), who immediately came up with the best way to complete the generator relocation in the shortest amount of time possible.

Generator relocation - loading the generator onto our crane truck

The generator being loaded onto our S&A Generators crane truck for relocation from Hilton.

The Solution

The first step was to ensure that the generator had a sound foundation to rest upon at the new site in Wartburg. S&A Generators was able to build a new plinth and bung wall, after finding the best spot for the generator to reside on the property. Once the plinth was in place, it was time to get the generator loaded and moved from Hilton to Wartburg.

Generator relocation - building a new plinth and bung wall

The plinth and bung wall being built at the generator relocation site in Wartburg.

We deployed our trusty crane truck, using it to lift and load the generator after decommissioning it. Before we could lift it, we needed to drain the unit of fuel, oil and coolant. Once the generator was securely fastened on our crane truck, we hit the road towards Wartburg. Once arriving at our destination, we realised that the crane truck was unable to offload the generator directly onto the plinth. Therefore, we had to move it manually for the last few yards.

Generator relocation - moving the generator by hand

The generator carefully being moved a last few yards to its new location.

Once we had the generator in place, all that was left was to replace the fluids (fuel, oil and coolant), run the fuel lines and connect the wiring to the building’s DB board. The final step of this generator relocation project was to test that the generator was working, and that everything was connected properly.

An image respresenting S&A Project: Generator Relocation from Hilton to Wartburg, KZN

The generator fully installed and functional in Wartburg, KZN.