Blog posts tagged with 'buy used generators uk'

A correctly functioning automatic transfer switch responds swiftly in case the main source of power gets cut off, automatically shifting the electrical load from the main to the generator. In case the system functions perfectly, there won’t be any problems, but faulty systems mean that everything will fail at the most critical times.

At Blades Power Generation, we often find that many ATS problems come down to maintenance, environmental conditions, or incorrect installation rather than the switch itself.

Contact Wear and Burnt Connections

The most frequent fault encountered is that the contactors within the switchgear are worn. This situation can be caused by:

●      Excessive heat

●      Accumulation of carbon

●      Erosion of contacts

Failure to address this issue can result in delayed switching or even total switching failure. In the business environment where generators undergo periodic testing, wear develops more quickly.

Battery and Starting Issues

In such instances, the fault may be attributed to the transfer switch, while actually it lies with the generator starting system.

Flat battery, faulty charger, or starter connections could prevent the generator from spinning at its rated speed and, hence, the ATS would recognise an unstable source and not transfer the load.

This issue is especially common with older or poorly maintained used generators that may spend long periods sitting idle between outages.

Moisture and Condensation

The UK climate can be unforgiving on electrical equipment. The formation of condensation within enclosures can lead to:

●      Corrosion

●      Relay malfunctions

●      Faulty sensors

●      Inaccurate voltage measurement

In open systems lacking IP-compliant enclosures, winter and coastal climates pose an increased risk of such issues.

At Blades Power Generation, we always recommend checking enclosure condition and ventilation as part of routine inspections.

Incorrect Voltage Sensing

An ATS relies on voltage monitoring to know when to transfer between mains and generator power.

Incorrect setting up of the sensing parameters can result in the following:

1. Premature switching
2. Delayed switching
3. Failure to identify good generator input

That is why it is essential to commission an installation properly. Even top-of-the-range switches can work improperly due to incorrect settings.

Lack of Routine Testing

Perhaps the biggest problem of all is simply neglect.

Many systems are installed and forgotten about until a real power cut happens. By then, seized mechanisms, weak batteries, or damaged components may already be waiting to cause trouble.

Regular testing helps identify small problems before they turn into complete failures.

At Blades Power Generation, we believe reliable backup power starts with proper maintenance, sensible installation, and equipment designed for real operating conditions. A well-maintained ATS should provide dependable service for many years without unnecessary complexity.

What Sets Manual Changeover Switches Apart?

Manual changeover switches play a key role in backup power systems. They allow users to shift between mains electricity and a generator supply. Unlike automatic versions, these require hands-on operation. This makes them ideal for settings where instant switchover is not essential. Think of small businesses or homes that prioritise control and simplicity.

Our switches come in robust designs. Many feature steel enclosures for lasting protection. They suit both single-phase and three-phase setups. For instance, our 4-pole models handle three-phase needs with ease. These units ensure safe transitions during power failures.

How Does a Manual Changeover Switch Operate?

The process starts with the switch's core mechanism. It includes three distinct positions. Position one connects to the mains utility power. This is the normal state for everyday use. Position zero acts as an offset. Here, no power flows from either source. This prevents accidental overlaps.

Position two links to the generator. When mains power fails, users turn off appliances first. Then, they start the generator. Next, they move the switch from position one to zero. After that, in position two, power now comes from the generator. To return to the mains, reverse the steps. Always check that the mains supply is stable before switching back.

This manual approach demands attention. Yet it offers clear oversight. No complex electronics means fewer points of failure. Our models, like the 125 Amp Lovato single-phase switch, include secure handles. These prevent unintended shifts. Safety interlocks add another layer. They stop live connections from clashing.

In practice, installationof a manual changeover switch involves linking the switch to your electrical panel. Cables run from the mains, generator, and load. Professional setup ensures compliance with UK regulations. Once in place, the switch becomes a reliable bridge. It keeps critical loads powered without fuss.

Key Advantages for Your Setup

Reliability stands out with these switches. They withstand harsh conditions thanks to IP-rated cases. Dust and moisture stay out. This extends their lifespan in workshops or outdoor sites.

Cost savings appeal to many. Manual options cost less than automatic ones. They still deliver essential functions. For mission-critical spots like clinics, they provide peace of mind. Quick manual action maintains operations.

Flexibility matters too. Users decide when to switch. This suits variable power needs. In residential use, it powers lights and fridges during blackouts. Commercial users appreciate the control over larger loads.

Our in-house manufacturing ensures quality. Each switch gets full testing. We include schematics and reports. This transparency builds trust. Customers know they get a product built to last.

Exploring the Benefits of Buying Used Generators in the UK

Shifting focus, used generators offer a practical path to backup power. At Blades Power Generation, we stock these for budget-conscious buyers. They come from trusted sources. Each unit undergoes checks to meet standards.

Buy used generators in the UK because it makes sense for several reasons. Local regulations guide safe purchases. Emissions rules and noise limits apply. Our used stock complies fully. This avoids future hassles.

Cost-Effectiveness Without Compromise

New generators carry high price tags. Used ones slash costs by up to half. Yet performance remains strong. Many have low hours from prior light use. Businesses stretch budgets further this way. Funds go to other areas, like expansions.

Depreciation hits new units hard. Buy used generators in the UK  because they hold value better. Resale potential stays solid. For startups, this entry point lowers barriers. Reliable power becomes accessible sooner.

Browse our range of manual changeover switches and used generators on the site now. Find the perfect fit for your needs.

When it comes to the electricity that we use today, things have changed quite a bit in just the last few months. What with the war in Ukraine and the cost of electricity going through the roof, more people are certainly considering their options.

It used to be that a generator for the home was merely used for those occasions when the power goes down. This was not all that likely to happen in our big cities, but today, who knows? Not only that, but we may be coming to the point where electricity is so expensive that it is actually cheaper to produce your own using a generator! Something nobody would have even considered only a year ago.

If you are seriously considering buying a home generator, you need to make certain that you have one that is big enough to produce the power that you need. You can either work this out yourself, or better still have a qualified electrician do the calculations for you because you need to be certain that you are covered and add a little on top as a safety precaution.

The bigger the generator you need, the more it will cost, but there is also some good news and that is that you can buy used generators in the UK. This is much the same as buying a second-hand car. It still works, but it may not look as “flash” as a brand new one. In fact, if you are considering the option to buy used generators in the UK, at Blades Power Generation we always have some in stock. This is because some firms who use generators expand their businesses, and so need a bigger generator and then they will trade in their old one with us.

You will also need a changeover switch to start the generator when the power goes down. You can buy a manual transfer switch, but an automatic transfer switch, although more expensive, is always the preferred option.

This is because an automatic transfer switch does what it says on the tin. When the power goes down, it will automatically fire up your generator and then transfer over to it. This means that you will only be without power for a matter of seconds.

If you have a manual transfer switch, you have to be on the premises and do it manually. If you happen to be on holiday and the power goes down for four or five days, you will come home to a freezer full of unfrozen food. Not ideal!

If you don’t want to suffer from power outages in your home or business, the time to buy a standby generator is now. There is no doubt that climate change seems to be causing more storms, and in turn that can lead to power lines going down and not being repaired quickly. Recent storms in the Northwest and Scotland left some people without power for two weeks!

Furthermore, with the war in Ukraine, and countries trying to avoid buying Russian gas, that can only make the situation worse. No, we do not use a lot of Russian gas directly here in the UK. Depending upon whose figures you believe, it is either 4% or 8% of our total energy imports. However, other countries in Europe are turning away from Russian gas, and that means that the electricity we buy from those countries will be less available. So, the war will still affect us in that way.

Generators are available in a range of different sizes, and the one that you need will depend upon a few factors. You need an electrician to calculate the amount of power that you require. Then you can buy the appropriate size of generator. Obviously, the more power that you need, the bigger generator that you will require, and therefore the more expensive it will be. 

Used Generators

However, you don’t have to buy a new generator. You can find used generators for sale in the UK. This is just the same as buying a second-hand car. You only have to watch the TV ads to see that there are several companies supplying second-hand cars up and down the country, and of course they cost a lot less than a new one.

Here at Blades Power Generation, we always have used generators for sale in the UK. Many businesses who need a generator will purchase a new one from us and then simply trade in their old one. So, we always have a range of different sized used generators from which you can choose.

You will also need a changeover switch, and whether you choose a manual changeover switch or an automatic one is a matter of personal choice. A manual changeover switch will cost less than an automatic one, but it does have the disadvantage that you have to be on the premises when the power goes down. With an automatic changeover switch, the generator will kick in immediately the power goes down, and you will only be without it for a matter of seconds. 

What do you do when the lights go out? OK, in this country we have mains electric power, and we don’t have power outages too often, although they can and do occur. However, when the mains power does go down it can often stay down for several days if it is due to a storm and power lines have come down. This happened in the Great Storm of 1987 when some homes were without electricity for two weeks.

It is one thing if the power goes down at home, and quite another if your factory comes to a grinding halt and you have to stop production. That can finish up costing you a lot of money, and it could also lose you, customers. This is why more people today are investing in emergency standby generators that can take over if power outages occur. At Blades Power Generation we have both new and used generators for sale in the UK.

There are basically two types of emergency generators, either standby generators or portable generators. Both provide a supply of electricity off-grid and can provide enough power just to keep the lights on or to run your factory or office. Standby generators are permanently installed outside by a professional such as ourselves, while a portable generator can be stored inside if required, but must be taken outside in order to operate. Standby generators can run on petrol, propane, or natural gas, while portable generators run on petrol.

A standby generator can power everything in the home and can be triggered automatically when a power outage occurs. It will require regular maintenance and will need to be run for 15 minutes every week to keep everything ticking over.

Portable generators do not usually provide as much power, but they can keep the fridge and TV going, and keep the lights on while enabling you to charge your mobile phone and run your laptop. Of course, they need to be moved outside in the event of an outage (unless permanently stored outside) and started manually, so you need to be at home.

At Blades Power Generation we have used generators for sale in the UK and the stock that we have is obviously constantly changing. If you think that investing in a generator is a good idea for your home or business, give us a call to discuss your requirements.

Generators have many uses, not the least of which is being able to produce electrical power in the case of a power outage. While we all tend to think that if we want light, we only have to press a switch, there can be times when we operate a switch and for one reason or another the light doesn’t come on.

For instance, on January 1st 1974 the three day week came into being. Electricity was largely produced from burning coal in those days, and the miners’ strike meant that electricity had to be rationed in order to conserve coal stocks. Businesses were only allowed to open for three days a week to reduce energy consumption. Those that needed to continue to use electricity – whether open or not - had to rely on generators in order to operate.

Many manufacturing companies, and others, rely on electrical power and cannot afford to risk power outages which could cost them a lot in lost orders, and so they will have a generator or two that kicks in if the power goes down.

As one might imagine, building sites are often in a situation where they have no power available, and therefore have to rely on generators in order to power table saws, drills, grinders, and other power tools that are necessary in order to carry out the work. Generators are often used in farming where it is necessary to run irrigation systems in fields far from an electric power cable, along with other things such as barn heaters to keep cattle from freezing, and chicken barn heaters to keep the production of eggs flowing.

Other situations where generators are used routinely are fairgrounds in the summer, which may run in a field or park for just a weekend, but nonetheless require electrical power for music, lights, ice cream stalls, rides, bouncy castles, and more.

If you are looking for generators, at Blades Power Generation we supply them new, but you can also buy used generators in the UK through us as well. We always have used generators in stock which we buy in and refurbish, and which have the obvious benefit of being less expensive than brand new. Indeed, if you want a generator simply for backup for your home or business, you would do well to buy used generators in the UK as opposed to investing in a new one.