Back up generators, like those from Generac, provide emergency power. There are some important differences between portable generators designed for residential and commercial use. Residential generators are usually used to provide emergency backup power for select appliances within a home and provide from 1,000 to 8,000 watts of power

Portable generators for commercial use are often used on a jobsite to run power tools when electricity isn’t available. These units tend to receive more use and generate between 3,000 and 17,500 watts of power.

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3 Comments on “Residential and Commercial Portable Generators”

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1. Roadkill Says:
   August 9th, 2010 at 5:29 pm

   i have a genmate 2-stroke 1000\800w portable generator. i purchased this so i could run my power tools in my yard. the owners manual states that i need to run a wire from the grounding bolt on the back of the generator to a rod stuck in the ground.i havbe been told by a friend not to ground the unit as it is grounded internally and that it is dangerous to use a grounding rod.the more research i do the more confused i get. i wont start the unit until i know the proper grounding method. thank you in advanced for any help you can give me

2. 

   Ben Erickson Says:
   August 12th, 2010 at 8:25 am

   Hi Roadkill,
   While I’m not familiar with Genmate generators, it’s recommended that portable generators be grounded properly before use. If you’re in doubt on how to do it, contact customer service at Genmate.

3. Roadkill Says:
   September 28th, 2010 at 12:46 am

   thanks Ben for answering my concern…i will be definitely contacting customer service. I know my next generator is going to be a Generac

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