A power outage is a major inconvenience to the operation of your shop. If the outage lasts very long, you could lose money because you can't make sales. A commercial generator might be worth considering, even if you don't sell food in your shop, because you'll appreciate having lights and climate control during a power outage. Here's a look at the benefits of a commercial generator installation and an overview of how it's done.

How Your Shop Benefits From A Generator

Your shop relies on electricity to operate cash registers, keep your store lit, provide climate control, and keep your shop secure. If the power goes out for a short time, your business may grind to a halt while you wait for cash registers to come back online and to have the ability to process credit cards.

Power keeps your shop more secure since there is lighting to control theft and vandalism in a prolonged power outage. If your shop has power, you and your family or employees have a place to ride out the outage in comfort and safety.

How A Commercial Generator Works

A commercial generator is installed permanently, so you don't have to rush to set something up or switch things over when the power goes out. When the generator senses a drop in power, it kicks on so the transfer is seamless. This prevents problems that could arise when the power goes out suddenly with a shop full of customers.

When the power comes back on, the generator turns itself off so the transfer is seamless once again. The best thing about a standby generator is that it works without help from you. However, once the generator is running, you may need to provide maintenance in the form of changing the oil if the unit runs for days at a time.

How A Commercial Generator Is Installed

Commercial generator installation is a matter of connecting the generator to a gas supply so the generator gets power when there is no electricity. The installation company has a plumber connect the generator to a natural gas line. If your shop doesn't have a gas line, then you can have a propane tank installed and run the generator on propane. Some commercial generators can even run on diesel fuel.

Another important step in the generator installation is installing the transfer switch. This switch is what connects and disconnects the generator to the electrical panel in your shop. You'll also need a suitable place to install the generator so that it's protected from vandals and the weather. Plus, it needs to be on a level slab and easy for maintenance technicians to access.

Before your commercial generator installation even begins, you may need to obtain permits and learn about local codes that apply to sound and placement. Plus, choosing the right generator might be complicated since they come in different sizes. You might want a larger generator that can power your entire building so business can go on normally, or you might want a smaller generator that can operate security lights, a furnace, and refrigerated units if you store food.