Hear the Answers From the Expert

A generator is a set of electro-mechanical systems that converts chemical energy (diesel, gasoline, etc.) first into thermal energy, thermal energy into mechanical energy, and mechanical energy into electrical energy. It serves as a reliable backup power source wherever grid electricity is interrupted or unavailable.

Devices that convert chemical energy into mechanical energy by burning fuels — gasoline or diesel — under high pressure and instantaneous high temperatures are called internal combustion engines, or simply ENGINES. The engine provides the driving force of the generator and is the heart of the system.

Typical applications can be grouped into four main categories: • In residences, shops and clinics for backup power for lighting and electrical appliances, • In recreation areas (camping, boats, events) and mobile markets, • On industrial sites — production facilities and workshops, • In critical facilities such as data centers, hospitals and airports that cannot tolerate downtime. Berksan Generator provides generator sets in the power and feature ranges to meet the needs of all of the above application areas.

Portable generators are low-power, portable, quick-to-install backup energy solutions. They are used on construction sites, at camps, at outdoor events, in small workshops and in any setting that requires temporary power. For the right portable generator selection, the wattage of each device to be powered should be calculated and summed; motor starting power (especially 2-3 times the rated power for refrigerators, air conditioners, compressors) should be taken into account. Nominal power output is rated at 100 m altitude and 25 °C ambient temperature; for every 300 m increase in altitude there is a 3.5% drop, and for every 5.5 °C increase in temperature there is a 2% drop in power.

There is no single right fuel; the choice depends on needs and conditions. Diesel generators: • Advantages: Fuel can be stored, is easy to source, and does not ignite easily; suitable for high power demand and continuous operation. • Disadvantages: Installing a large fuel tank increases the system cost. Gasoline generators: • Advantages: Offer an economical entry-level cost in the low-power class; portable and lightweight, making them a practical choice for camping, small construction sites, workshops and temporary power needs. They allow fast setup and start-up. • Disadvantages: Fuel consumption is higher than diesel, fuel storage is more limited, and gasoline carries a higher risk of ignition. They are not suitable for high power demand or continuous/long-running operation, which is why they are only available in our portable/mobile range.

Diesel generators are preferred for projects that require high power density, continuous operation and fuel storage flexibility. Gasoline generators stand out as an economical solution in the low-power class; thanks to their portable design, they are a practical choice for camping, small construction sites, workshops and temporary on-site use. For critical infrastructure (data centers, hospitals, etc.), industrial facilities and long-term backup power requirements, diesel is the right choice. For low-power, transportable and temporary use cases, the gasoline models we offer only in our portable/mobile range deliver a more suitable result. The Berksan Generator technical team determines the most suitable fuel type for your project together with you, through a project-specific site survey.

The fuel used must comply with EN 590 or ASTM D975 standards. The sulfur content of the fuel must be below 0.5%; otherwise, carbon that interacts with liquid sulfur causes scratching and wear of metal surfaces. The minimum cetane number of the fuel must be 40. At altitudes of 1500 m or above, or in environments below -20 °C, a cetane number above 50 is recommended. The cetane number is the ignition capability of diesel fuel; it is in the range of 50-65 for high-speed engines and 20-45 for low-speed engines.

If the generator is to be placed in an enclosed space, the following criteria should be observed: • Sufficient clearance must be left around the generator for placement, installation and subsequent service access. • The generator room must have a door large enough for the generator to pass through; the machine should be easy to remove when needed. • The floor must be level and have a concrete pad capable of supporting the generator's weight. • Fresh air intake and exhaust openings for cooling must be sized to meet the engine's air requirements; hot air discharged from the radiator must be ducted out through an appropriate channel. • The room must be protected against external factors such as precipitation and extreme temperatures. • It must be isolated from airborne harmful substances such as abrasive or conductive dust, lint, smoke, oil vapor and exhaust gas.

Proper isolation, support and exhaust piping done according to TSE 8528 — and design and installation steps carried out to the proper standard — significantly reduce vibration. Each generator is built as a single module with the engine and alternator coupled together; the set is mounted on the chassis with flexible rubber isolators. A flat concrete floor of sufficient strength is enough for most installations. For sensitive and strategic buildings, a special foundation pad with seismic specification — designed under the responsibility of a civil or structural engineer — is required to fully isolate the vibration from the structure.

There are four main sources of noise from a generator: • Exhaust Noise: caused by exhaust gases propagating with vibration. • Mechanical Noise: from the engine, alternator and cabinet components. • Radiator Noise: from the cooling air passing through the radiator fins via the fan. • Structural Noise: caused by vibration and loose mounting. Berksan Generator reduces these sources to optimum levels with sound-insulated cabinets, silenced exhaust lines and proper installation. On our standard canopy models the sound level measured at 7 meters is in the 65-75 dB(A) band; on our super-quiet models it is below 60 dB(A).

The most frequent errors encountered in the field are: • Failing to choose the right operating mode (Standby, Prime, Continuous) for the intended use at the time of purchase. The wrong choice shortens engine life and causes serious failures. • Insufficient air circulation in enclosed rooms; this leads to the machine overheating, damage or shutdown. • Lack of additional protective equipment in very humid environments; this causes corrosion of the alternator, engine and metal components. • Failing to account for high ambient temperatures and high altitudes; a site survey must be requested before purchase. • Sizing the generator too large; running it at less than 30% load in particular causes serious engine damage. • Single-phase / three-phase mismatches in residences; this causes alternator failures. • Use of cheap, low-quality filters, failure to follow maintenance intervals, and choosing unauthorized service all directly affect generator life. It is recommended to work with professional teams for all power sizing, installation, mounting, maintenance and repair services.

When the grid power is cut or the grid voltage falls outside the defined range, if your generator has automatic operation hardware (control card), the system detects this and automatically starts the generator and supplies power to the building. The transfer time is at most 8-10 seconds. When the grid power returns or comes back to normal limits, after a short monitoring period (once the voltage is verified to be healthy), the control card transfers the load from the generator back to the grid. The generator then runs idle for 3 minutes to cool itself down and stops.

On generators that do not receive periodic maintenance, the following occurs: • The generator falls outside its warranty coverage. • Deviations occur in voltage and current values; the generator cannot operate properly. • Frequent and consecutive failures occur. • Wear and tear on mechanical components accelerates. • Engine life is significantly shortened. Berksan Generator carries out all operations — including engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, antifreeze and battery checks — through periodic maintenance contracts performed by authorized teams.

Berksan Generator is always reachable on its 24/7 technical support line. In Istanbul and surrounding provinces, on-site response is provided within 2-4 hours on average; thanks to our wide authorized service network across Turkey, same-day arrival is targeted in remote regions as well. Guaranteed response times can be defined for critical facilities under SLA contracts.

Generators manufactured by Berksan are delivered with a 2-year factory warranty. The warranty covers main components including the engine, alternator and control panel. Having periodic maintenance performed at authorized Berksan services secures the continuity of the warranty. Spare parts and service support continue to be offered even outside the warranty period.