Generator knowledge for PNG
Understand the machine before you choose or operate it
Short, practical guides explain the terms, choices and warning signs customers ask about most.
Choose a topic
Answers you can share with a customer
Each guide has its own link. Open the exact topic instead of asking a customer to search through a long support page.
Choose correctlySingle Phase vs Three Phase
Which supply suits a home, shop, workshop or three-phase machine?
Read guide
Power termskW, kVA & Power Factor
Understand real power, apparent power and why the two ratings are not automatically equal.
Read guide
Starting surgeFreezer, Pump & Motor Starting
Why running watts alone cannot size a generator for compressors and motors.
Read guide
Starting systemsRecoil, Electric & Key Start
Understand the real difference, benefits and maintenance needs.
Read guide
Operating costWhy Is Fuel Use So High?
Find the load, sizing, service and operating causes before adjusting the engine.
Read guide
Duty ratingContinuous vs Standby Power
A silent enclosure or large fuel tank does not automatically make a generator suitable for 24-hour duty.
Read guidePower claimsRated, Maximum & Overstated Power
Use the nameplate, current, engine and load test instead of trusting a large model number.
Read guidePNG frequency50Hz vs 60Hz
Correct voltage is not enough; motors and equipment also need the correct frequency.
Read guide
Site deratingAltitude, Heat & Humidity
Why catalogue output may change at a highland, hot, coastal or restricted-ventilation site.
Read guide
Critical safetyGrounding, Backfeed & Indoor Dangers
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, shock and fire.
Read guideHealthy loadingNo-Load Running & Severe Overload
Understand diesel wet stacking, overheating and unstable output.
Read guide
Power mythDo Free-Energy Generators Exist?
Magnets and alternators convert energy; they do not create energy from nothing.
Read guideProtect the machineWhy Maintenance Matters
Small checks and records prevent many expensive failures and unsafe operating conditions.
Read guideQuick power terms
- kW
- Real power available to do useful work.
- kVA
- Apparent power before the effect of power factor is considered.
- Power factor
- The ratio between useful kW and apparent kVA for a load.
- Rated power
- The output approved for the stated operating duty, not a brief peak.
- Maximum power
- A short-duration upper limit. It is not the normal continuous load.
- 50Hz
- The normal electricity frequency used in Papua New Guinea.
- AVR
- Automatic Voltage Regulator, which helps control generator output voltage.
- Recoil start
- Manual starting by pulling a starter rope.
- Electric start
- A battery and starter motor crank the engine.