Comparison Brevia GP3500iES vs Brevia GP3500iS

Fuel consumption of a petrol or diesel generator when operating at half power, and for combined models when using petrol (see “Fuel”).

Fuel consumption usually increases with load. However, generator efficiency is not always linear - fuel consumption may vary disproportionately with different loads. In this case, the approximate amount of fuel consumed by the generator when operating at half power (50% of the rated power) is given. Knowing the fuel consumption and tank capacity, you can at least estimate how long one fill-up will last.

Fuel consumption of the generator at 75% load (75% of the nominal power of the power unit). The amount of fuel consumed is indicated for gasoline and diesel models, as well as units on combined fuel (in this case, gasoline consumption is usually implied).

Since the generator's efficiency is not always linear, fuel consumption may vary disproportionately with different loads. In this case, the amount of fuel consumed by the generator when operating with a load of about 75% of the nominal power is given. Knowing the fuel consumption and tank volume, you can roughly estimate how long one fill will last.

The amount of fuel consumed by the generator when operating at full power. The parameter is specified for petrol and diesel units (and for models on combined fuel - when using petrol).

In full power mode, the generator consumes maximum fuel. However, such long-term operation is fraught with accelerated wear of the unit components, so generators are rarely loaded to 100%. Nevertheless, the parameter gives an approximate understanding of the expected fuel consumption when used "at full capacity".

A pointer that allows you to monitor the remaining fuel in the generator tank. The simplest such indicators work only with a critical decrease in the level of fuel, warning of the need for refueling; more advanced ones constantly display the remainder. However, anyway, this feature makes it easier to keep track of the fuel supply and reduces the risk of a generator shutdown due to a forgotten refueling.

Method of starting the electric generator engine. To start the internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel, see "Fuel"), it is necessary to turn the engine shaft in any case; this can be done in two ways:

— Manual. With this method of starting, the initial impulse is transmitted to the engine manually - usually the user needs to pull hard on the cable that spins a special flywheel. The simplest in design and cheapest method of starting, from additional equipment it requires only the cable itself with a flywheel. On the other hand, it may require the user to apply significant muscular effort and is poorly suited for high-power units.

— Electric starter. With this type of start, the engine shaft is rotated by a special electric motor, which is called a starter; the starter is powered by its own battery. This option for starting the generator power unit is the easiest for the user and requires a minimum of effort. Depending on the implementation of the electric starter, it is usually enough to turn the key in the ignition switch, press a button, turn the handle or rotate a special drum, etc. The power of modern starters is sufficient even for heavy engines, where manual starting is difficult or impossible. Also note that an electric starter is required by definition to use the ATS autostart (see "Features"). On the other hand, additional equipment affects the weight and cost of the unit,...and sometimes quite noticeably. Therefore, such starting systems are used mainly where they cannot be avoided - in the aforementioned heavy equipment, as well as generators with ATS.

The level of protection provided by the generator housing — namely, the degree of protection of the “hardware” from dust, moisture and foreign objects. It is designated by the IP standard with two numbers, one of which corresponds to protection against solid objects and dust, the second — from moisture, for example, IP24.

According to the level of dust protection (first digit) in modern generators, the following values \u200b\u200bare found:

2 — protection against objects with a diameter of more than 12.5 mm (fingers, etc.);
3 — from objects larger than 2.5 mm (most instruments);
4 — from objects more than 1 mm (almost all tools, most wires);
5 — dustproof (full protection against contact; dust can penetrate inside, but does not affect the operation of the device).

Water protection levels can be as follows:

1 — protection against vertically falling drops of water;
2 — from water drops with a deviation of up to 15 ° from the vertical axis of the device (rain);
3 — from water drops with a deviation of up to 60 ° from the vertical axis of the device (rain with wind);
4 — against splashes from any direction (rain with strong wind);


In general, for indoor use, this indicator does not play a key role, but on the street and in similar conditions (for example, at a construction site), you should make sure that the selected generator is sufficiently protected — or else take additional protection measures.

The noise level produced by the generator when operating in normal mode. The less noise the unit makes, the more comfortable it is to use, the closer it can be placed to people, but the higher its price, all other things being equal.

It is also worth considering that generators with internal combustion engines are, in principle, quite noisy equipment. Thus, even the "quietest" units produce < 70 dB - this is the volume of a conversation in tones from medium to high. Accordingly, it is recommended to install the device remotely from the place of use. At the same time, we note that the noise level is not directly related to the power: for example, among units of 80 dB and more, there are both heavy and relatively low-power models.

Sound pressure level in decibels at a distance of 7 m between the noise source and the ear of the equipment operator. Since people do not work in the immediate vicinity of the generator, the parameter will be useful for estimating the noise level at a distance. For example, current European Union regulations require that the sound power of generating sets with a power of more than 2 kW does not exceed 97 dB — at a distance of 7 m, the noise from the generator engine will correspond to a sound pressure of about 72 dB.