Portable vs. Fixed-In-Place Generators

 

Generators are manufactured to either be portable or fixed-in-place. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Portable generators are useful because they can be moved from location to location. They are typically used though in smaller applications and are not permitted per NEC to be used for Emergency or Legally Required systems, which limits there use in commercial and industrial applications. They are most commonly used in residential applications and on construction sites where power is not available. These Optional Standby uses can be very important though during a natural disaster. During the 2004 hurricanes in Florida, the sound of generator engines was very common in residential neighborhoods as people awaited their power to be turned back on. A common 5550W generator is enough to supply power to a refrigerator, coffee maker, television and/or window air-conditioner.

Fixed-In-Place generators are commonly seen in commercial and industrial applications. They are becoming more popular in residential use but are not widely common. These types of generators can be very large which is why they are so common for large areas of assembly. Not to mention, they are required to be used per the NEC in Emergency and Life Safety situations. And the engine fuel that can be used is very diverse which is especially useful in retrofit projects. For more information about the code classifications regarding fixed-in-place generators, please read below.