ElecComm Power Services Blog

At ElecComm, we keep our eyes out for interesting and informative articles that we believe our customers will find beneficial to help their emergency contingency plans.  The article below is from Dr. Jim Kennedy at Continuity Central who does a great job detailing the thought process behind developing such a plan.

According to a recent Forrester Research survey nearly half of the declared disasters reported over a one-year period were due to power failures. To ensure that this type of event does not escalate into a disaster that results in business disruption and lost revenue for your organization you need to be prepared. And this requires a power failure response strategy as part of a wider business continuity plan.

This article explains how to develop such a power failure response strategy.

Determine what you have
The first step in preparing a power failure response strategy is to identify and understand the electrical distribution system layout and design in the facility to be protected. Most building or office electrical power distribution systems are quite complex. In order to properly understand them, wiring documentation will need to be reviewed and brought up to date. If up-to-date documentation is not available when conducting the review, it needs to be developed as soon as possible and prior to developing the power failure response strategy. An electrician or electrical engineer can aid in this effort.

An up-to-date electrical system schematic or wiring diagram will clearly identify how the main components of the electrical system are connected. It should include any special systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies or power protection devices. Specifics regarding equipment voltage and current ratings should be identified and documented. It is also important to identify each major component with a unique name describing its location and important power ratings.

In addition to identifying the equipment on the drawings, it is equally important to physically match the system or component to the drawings by affixing a permanent label to the actual equipment for identification purposes. This, along with a flashlight, facilitates finding the equipment quickly in the case of an emergency.

Determine what your organization’s mission critical requirements are for emergency power
Critical electrical power requirements, or ‘loads’ as they are often called, are usually developed as part of a business impact analysis and risk assessment. However, if these assessments have not been developed as part of an on-going business continuity or disaster recovery program, then now, before a crisis occurs, is a good time to identify the organization’s critical need for electrical power.

Once the electrical power distribution system is documented and understood, the next step is to identify business critical loads that will require emergency power in the event of a power failure. At this point it is important to note that uninterruptible power supplies and emergency generators may not normally provide for all of an organization’s electrical needs. So, decisions will need to be made to determine what equipment in the operation in time of a disaster or incident absolutely need to have power maintained during a power outage.

As I indicated earlier, this is usually done as part of an overall business impact analysis, where business critical systems and devices within the organization are identified. These are systems for which special considerations need to be made in case of any type of failure — of which power failures are only one example.

After critical systems have been identified their sources of power within the facilities need to be identified on the electrical drawings to make sure it is understood that they are critical to the operation (i.e., critical computing systems, LAN/WAN network devices, PBXs, production and/or security equipment). If the electrical distribution system has been properly designed, all business equipment should be connected to common circuits and separated from non-critical equipment. This makes it much easier to isolate mission critical circuits and to properly connect them to emergency power sources during an emergency. It is also important to keep the documentation up-to-date for the equipment contained on these circuits, so that the electrical load (current required to keep the equipment running) is properly identified and emergency power generation equipment can be properly sized.

Determine what type of emergency power your organization should use
Typically if the power failure lasts less than an hour an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) may be able to sustain power – if properly sized and maintained. However, if the power outage lasts in excess of an hour, as has been the case with several US, UK, and European blackouts in the last few years, emergency generators will be needed. If it is absolutely critical to maintain power for an entire operation throughout a blackout, regardless of the length of that blackout, then consideration to possibly installing permanent emergency generators should be made. It should be noted that this type of installation is quite expensive and complex to install, operate and maintain, and may not be viable due to local building codes or environmental constraints. If it is decided that the organization wants to install permanent electrical generation equipment, then an experienced professional’s help should be solicited.

Portable electric generators can also be used. They can be installed after the power has failed and before the UPSs would shut down. If a portable generating unit is to be used, it is absolutely critical that the electrical load of each emergency circuit (measured in amperes) be known so that the generator(s) can be correctly sized (be large enough to supply the rated current of all devices to be powered during the power failure). The wattage and voltage ratings for each generator should be defined prior to the outage and procedures documented, so that when acquiring them, the load does not have to be calculated under adverse conditions: which usually leads to error and further disaster. If it is decided that the use of portable generation is the best alternative, it is prudent to arrange a pre-emergency contract to rent or lease the generators.

If a pre-rental or lease agreement is undertaken, be sure that the contract specifies delivery time and maintenance if a provided system/component fails to operate correctly. It is also important to understand in what priority order you your generators will be delivered especially in case of a widespread emergency outage. However, even with a pre-contracted agreement in place, there is no real guarantee that the generators will be available if the power outage is widespread.

It may be in your organization’s best interest to acquire portable generators ahead of time and store them for a time when they are needed. If you choose this course, it is important to establish and implement proper maintenance procedures (e.g., running the generators periodically and changing the gas and oil as recommended by the manufacturer) to make sure that the generators function when needed.

Making the generators ready for the next outage
Before any power failure occurs is the time to plan how each generator will be connected during an emergency. Here is where an electrical engineer, electrician or experienced technician is critically important. Manual transfer switches can be placed near the emergency panels ahead of time so that switching to emergency power, once the generators are connected and started, is made easier.

All of the necessary connection equipment (e.g., cables and connectors, etc.) should be stored near the place where the generators will be used. In addition, fuel and operational supplies need to be planned for as generators will consume large supplies of gasoline and oil if they need to run for many hours. Emergency generator procedures need to be well documented beforehand and attached to the generator or the transfer switch. This ensures that the generators will be connected properly and will not damage any wiring or critical equipment.

If the connection is very complex then part of the emergency response procedures should include an on-staff or contracted electrician or experienced technician to perform the connection of the generators.

Ensure the generators are functional when needed
To ensure that the emergency generation equipment (permanent or portable) is ready in case of an emergency, regular testing is essential. Testing procedures should be established (and internal audits conducted to regularly review compliance) to ensure that the generators will work properly when called upon for service.

The generators should be tested under actual circumstances and full load, if possible, but, if not, then a simple functional test will have to suffice. This functional test should include starting and running each generator for a minimum of thirty minutes at least every month or minimally, once each quarter. Also make sure that each generator’s fuel tank is full upon completion of each test and that there are documented procedures to obtain fuel during an emergency (perhaps the local gas station may not be the best source). Manufacturers of generating equipment typically recommend that fuel be replaced that is more than one year old.

Formal process and procedures are critical to success
Experiences of business continuity and disaster recovery professionals have shown that proper planning in advance of any incident makes response to that incident much more effective and electrical power failures are no exception. The group responsible for reacting during a blackout should make sure that well documented and easily understood procedures are developed and maintained.

During a crisis, people react differently than when there is no stress, so the procedures should be clearly written. One method to make the procedures easier to follow would be to use step-by-step check lists or flow-charts. Having these procedures available at each generator site to connect each portable generator will save a great deal of time during an actual crisis event. It is also important to note that the procedures should include both how to connect the generator and how to disconnect the generator when power has been restored.

Running generator installation tests periodically can help make sure everyone is comfortable and prepared for the time when the drill may be replaced by a real power outage situation.

Source:   Continuity Central (Dr. Jim Kennedy)

Well, hurricane season has officially started. Now we don’t often see hurricanes that are too bad in Massachusetts, but we don’t often see massive, destructive tornadoes either, or hail storms in June.  So to kick off hurricane season, we would like to remind you to not get caught unprepared in the event of an unexpected power loss.

When a major storm knocks your power out, emergency generators will keep you up and running and your lights on.

Last week in Greenwich, CT customers were left powerless from a series of CL&P system failures which began with a lightning strike last Wednesday. Repairs were waylaid by two more lightning strikes at the Cos Cob substation on Thursday night and increased demand in the suffocating early summer heat and humidity Friday evening caused further system failures.

During the height of the outages, the town used emergency generators to operate its sewage treatment plants and private customers, including Greenwich Hospital, switched to rented generators. According to Greenwich Hospital spokesman George Pawlush, the hospital used two rental generators for nearly 21 hours between Thursday and Saturday.

Portable rental generators can help you and your business continue to do business even with unexpected power failure. Often time, loss of power is catastrophic for a business, hospital, or municipal building. Call ElecComm for more information.

The Basic Question, Generator, What Is It?

A device that uses mechanical energy as a source to generate electrical energy is known as a generator. So when there isn’t a permanent arrangement of a source of electricity a rented generator from a Generator Rental can be of great help.

Can A Rented Generator Be Helpful?

A rented generator can prove to be very useful in various situations like lighting up a grand movie set in a far away location or arranging a party at a farmhouse in a town that has electricity for just two hours per day.

It can also help if you’re the wedding planner who needs to make a theme come alive in far away woods where there is no availability of electricity or if you’re a hospital, an ice cream parlor, an organization or an IT firm where an electrical downtime of some minutes of can lead to big losses. The above are just a few situations but believe me the main advantage of renting from a emergency Generator rental rather than buying one is its cost- effectiveness.

Deciding On The Right Size Of Generator?

Generators available are in the range of 125-150KW to the higher range of 2-4MW. Which to choose depends on items that will be used, that’s, which appliances will be put to use? Would only essential items like lights, fans, refrigerators, computer, TV be used or heavy items like Air Conditioners and Room heaters will also be used. The apt size for a generator is of great importance as a small generator may put extra load on the appliances which can ruin them. If you’ren’t able to really decide the size ask the rental agency and they’ll advise you on the correct size. The Procedure To Rent A Generator? A generator rental agency would be of help as they’ve now opened in abundance in the last couple of years in a large number of cities. Researching on rental stores in the city will not hurt either. When renting, choose a store preferably closer home.

Some Information That Might Help In Renting A Generator.

One more useful thing on the subject of this topic area. Ensure that the agency delivers the generator wherever required with an experienced electrician who can install and uninstall it when the job’s done. Since a generator functions on fuel keep it outdoors instead of keeping it indoors from safety point of view. Do keep in mind that if you have a populated neighborhood choose something that is make less noise.

Environment Friendly Generators Are Available In The Market

In the age of Go-Green, Go-Clean this question isn’t a surprise. Clean generators like Wind and Solar are making their way in the market and will rule the markets very soon. Always remember, a rented generator is better since Generator Rentals ensure that it’s well-maintained but if you happen to buy one the onus of maintenance is totally upon you.

Having electricity in a time of crisis can be a life saver. Generator rental when you know a storm is brewing could be the most important decision you ever make. Think about all the things you need a power source for, can you really survive without them?

Rotating Overunity Asymmetrical Devices, or ROADs, by Ryan Hopkins is a student whose purpose in writing this article is to describe how a magnetic device could be designed as an overunity generator: a …

Photo of possibly the largest overunity generator ever built. Discussion about Photo of possibly the largest overunity generator ever built. At the GodlikeProductions Conspiracy Forum.

Business owners rent emergency power generators for emergency electric power outages, to supply power within a planned project which would normally compromise commercial power, and most frequently, to meet a short lived rise in energy demand. ElecComm Power is a supplier of back-up generators. In addition to leasing electrical generator equipment, we lease other electrical equipment as well, such as load banks, fuel tanks, transformers and other power cable and distribution panels and accessories.

Load Banks are normally utilized to test power sources to make sure their appropriate function under the true to life conditions that load banks duplicate through making a power load and employing it to a power source. There are a number types of load banks. Electronic load banks, whose power may be developed for exact circuits, so they are ideal for checking circuit breakers, fuse boxes, and robotic transfer switches; resistive, which take out equal amounts of energy from an operating-system, and used for testing power generators; capacitive, which create an increased power factor, and are perfect for testing systems that have horizontal loads; and inductive, which simulate the vitality used by numerous building elements at the same time, and so are perfect for testing voltage regulators and generators.

If you need generators for more than two days, you may want to rent additional diesel powered fuel tanks to power them. ElecComm Power Services provides safe and efficient fuel tanks. We offer single-walled or double-walled skidded tanks. They are available in the following sizes: 500-1000 gallons.

While renting major electric power equipment, it is also common to lease the accessories that are used with them, such as cable ramps, load share panels, cable bins, and cable T's. Although electricity accessories are easy to come by, renting them with the equipment you need ends up costing your business less money.

Your business could be one that demands a back-up or standby power at all times. There are several businesses that fall in this category. These businesses are nursing homes and large buildings, refrigeration operations or healthcare related establishments. All large commercial and industrial operations would generally be totally dependant on power right through the day or night and for every day of the week. Special event venues and construction sites also come in this category. If you are in any one of these business enterprises then it may be a cheaper option to go for a generator for rent.

In case of a power failure you need rental generators to serve as backups. Such generators could be in any one of several power ratings such as from 25 kW to 125 kW and 150-400 kW. The rating could be 500-1500 kW or even as large as 2000 kW. You may also need movie production generators that would have to function continuously or tower power generators for telecommunication support.

If you are interested in the rental of generator with an output rating between 25 kW and 125 kW then you would get a generator that would be equipped with a wireless monitoring system. The sound level would not exceed 65 DBA and there would be an easy method of selection of voltages.

Your generator would also come fitted with a yellow strobe light that would indicate an alarm for low fuel light. Similarly the 2000 kW generator would have utility grade paralleling switchgear and would be powered by a fuel efficient electronically controlled diesel engine. It would be one of the quietest generator sets too.

If you are into movie production and in need of generator rentals for this purpose then you could go for a studio generator that's super silent. The generator has a sound proofing design that will not drown out the performers in the show. It has well-designed sound baffles and an exhaust silencer that brings down the sound to a hush. Similarly the tower power generators are environmental friendly, rugged in construction and very quiet during operation.

There are many situations and any number of occasions when you may need a generator for rent. Such occasions could be due to the kind of business that you run. You could be the administrator of a huge office building and may feel the necessity of generator rentals as a sort of backup. If you own a hospital or a hotel similarly you would need generators as backup support.

In the case of an emergency procedure such as in the ICU you may need the generator to function as the main source of power supply since you may not like to risk a power failure during a critical stage of the surgery. There are special event venues that require generators on hire as well as construction sites that may not have the facility of a ready power source at the offsite location.

Several small and large industries require generator rentals to keep them going on a regular basis such as the movie industry or the tower power generators for the telecom industry.

You can order a generator for rent in various power output specifications such as one between 25 to 125 kW or a generator that is rated between 150 to 400 kW. There are generators for hire in the 500 to 1500 kW category as well as one that goes up to 2000 kW output. Then there are generators for movie production and those for the telecom industry. Each of these types of generators can be hired during any time of the day or night and right through the week. So, if your industry grinds to a halt in the middle of the night due to a power failure you'd know that the right kind of generator rentals is only a phone call away.

A generator for rent in the power output limited to 125 kW would have the facility of selecting the right voltage and would include an electronic governor. The 2000 kW generator would be the quietest you will ever see in the US. For your movie production your generator would be whisper-silent with an output of 60 kW/75 kVA.

For further information on generator for rent or generator rentals please visit us at www.eleccommpowerservices.comor call us on 1-800-736-8251.

Generator rentals – Is it economical to rent a generator versus buying one?

Renting a portable generator may be the best solution in various situations. Like , for instance, if you are renting an office somewhere and the power goes down for a day or so.

Generator rentals can keep your business up and running for less than the cost of having to buy a power source, if it is only for a few days.

It's a great idea for on the job power if you want to do a small construction job. Like building that cabin in the woods for your getaway! :)

Course, most folks that are looking at a power supply for their preparedness plan will want to either build a generator or buy one so that it is available when the need arises.

But for things like outdoor parties or special events having a place where you can rent a generator can come in handy.

Renting Generators for Emergency Use

If you are banking on renting a portable generator for emergency situations, bear in mind that they can get almost extinct as soon as there is a crisis.

A couple things to do in advance when looking at possibly renting a power unit.

• Find a good generator rental in your area and set up a plan with them.
• Make sure they will come in, set up your unit and also come pick it up when you are done with it.
• Figure out what you need as far as how big of a unit, etc, and if you don't know that info, they should be able to help you figure it out.
• Diesel generators come in all sizes and units and some of the companies like Marson Energy offers both diesel and natural gas generators.
• If you live in a crowded neighborhood, you will want to look for something that runs a little quieter so put that on your list as there is quite a difference in sound of the various generator rental units.

Renting a commercial generator is easy enough with ElecComm Power Services but what kinds of supplies will you need? Several things will come in handy when you have one in your possession.

1.Fuel

Fuel is by far the most important factor in generator rentals. You have to know what kind of fuel the machine takes. Is it gas, propane or diesel? You will need a safe, approved, portable container to store the fuel. Plastic gas containers should have a fire safety shield which prevents explosions by ignited fumes that enter the can. Furthermore, a good can will have a spill proof nozzle, special seals that reduce evaporation and vapor, child-proof design and no secondary vent holes. Newer cans usually have all of these improvements and more. Container size also matters. If the generator is going to be run continuously, a larger gallon can should be purchased. Keep in mind; however, that unused gas will go bad and degrade over time. Only purchase the amount of fuel you think you will need. If it is for a extended period of time we do offer our fuel tanks to provide the necessary amount you would need.

2.Extension cords

Generators should never be plugged directly into a wall socket. Extension cords must always be used to connect the generator to appliances. The cords should be heavy duty, three pronged and designed to be used outdoors. Length is also extremely important. The cords have to be long enough to reach from the outside to the inner parts of the house. Cords need to be free of damage, too. Cuts, slits or exposed wires pose shock or electrocution risks. Check out of power cords for more information.

3.Shelter

If it is raining or wet, the generator will need protection. An enclosure can be elaborate or a simple canopy. In addition, the generator can be placed on 2x4 planks which will keep it off the wet ground.

4.Automatic transfer switch

While many would argue that an automatic transfer switch is not essential, it is definitely a great device to have when using a generator because it transfers the electrical power of the commercial building to the generator automatically during a power outage.

These are just four simple supplies you should keep in mind when renting a generator. While we offer some of these extra supplies its good to keep in mind safety as well when renting. Be sure to contact us today should you have any questions about renting some of our fine products or renting commercial services in general.

No one is ever ready for a power outage or a short circuit, but being prepared is the best solution. Such as having a contingency plan or back up plan. When these outages occur Eleccomm Power Services is there to serve your business at anytime. We understand that power is vital to keeping a business running smoothly, not only for the company but also if the company provides support to others. Here is a list of important entities that should always have emergency back up power.

• Hospitals and Outpatient Surgery Clinics

Hospitals and outpatient surgery clinics are an obvious choice for emergency power equipment. Without it, a power outage could cause widespread casualties in emergency care units, critical care units, and during the course of operations. Today's hospitals and outpatient clinics depend on electricity for a majority of their treatments and life preserving techniques, making back up generators an absolute necessity in any hospital or outpatient surgery clinic.

• Police Departments

When the power goes out in a metropolitan area police know to expect more crimes, But if the power goes out in police departments, what would be a difficult situation could turn into catastrophe more than moonlight illuminates the streets. Because most police departments don't have heavy electricity needs, a single industrial scale generator usually supplies enough power to last until the power company addresses an outage.

• Retail Stores

Most retail stores simply close their doors until a power outage is resolved. But if they have a back up generator, they can conduct business while their competition literally remains in the dark.

• Data Centers

Data centers are another obvious choice as their very function depends heavily on uninterrupted power supply. Most data centers are well equipped with generators, protecting information that could cause companies and individuals alike severe difficulty if it were lost.

• Laboratories

Depending on the nature of their work, laboratories often need uninterrupted power supply to ensure that projects occur as planned. From animal and plant studies to situations where pharmaceuticals are being produced, most laboratories can't afford to do without a steady supply of electricity.

• Prisons and Jails

Keeping prisons and jails supplied with electricity isn't a matter of keeping inmates' cells and recreation areas lit; it's a matter of keeping inmates incarcerated. Today, most prisons and jails use security systems that are at least partially powered by electricity, using powerful magnetic locks to secure cells and various points of passage.

Providing emergency power supply to these businesses is what Eleccomm is all about. Our certified, safety-trained technicians provide fast, reliable service with our state-of-the-art, EPA certified fleet of equipment. Contact us today to learn more information about back up generators and other products we have to offer. 

When there is bad weather such as hurricane, tornado, ice, or even just a thunder storm you can experience a power failure. Commercial emergency rental generators can help during those times the power is down. Especially if your business is left without any power for a long time. Industrial commercial generators will keep your appliances and equipment still running when your power is down.

During powerful storms when a large area can be left without power, generators are in high demand. Ensure that your business is not left struggling to find a commercial generator still available, by renting one ahead of time. Do not wait until your power goes out to seek one. Its better to have one that you didn’t need as oppose to not having one that you did need.

You can rent a commercial generator as small as 20 kilowatts or as big as 2 megawatts or more. To estimate the generator size you will need, you will first need to determine what your purpose in getting one is for. What appliances and equipments are you wanting to run with the generator?

Once you have figured out what you will need to run during a power outage and the watts for each appliance, you can then figure out the size of the commercial generator needed. It is very important that you get a generator with the right size, otherwise you can overheat your appliances and the generator.

For business who cannot afford to lose power for long periods of time, renting a commercial generator can help. If you own a business, you should seek out a rental company in your surrounding areas that will deliver a generator to you quickly. When searching for a generator rental store, make sure they deliver your generator along with an electrician who will install it for you. Some companies will leave you to install it on your own.

Just because you are in need of an emergency generator, does not mean you have to rent out a costly one. If you suspect you might have power failure, seek out rental companies in your area ahead of time. Learn the different rental stores out there and find the most affordable one for you.

Remember to keep your generator running out doors and not inside your building or garage, since it runs on fuel. Emergency rental generators can help in those times when you experience a power failure. The right generator can really come in handy.