Hydromo

  Every few weeks, someone calls us with a version of the same question: “We’re putting in a backup generator; should we go with 250 kVA or 500 kVA?” And almost every time, they’ve already got a number in mind before we’ve even talked about their building. That’s usually the problem. People pick a capacity because a neighboring property has it or because a vendor quoted it, not because anyone actually sat down and worked out the load. A 250 kVA vs. 500 kVA DG set decision isn’t really about which one sounds “safer”; it’s about what your building draws, how it runs, and where it’s headed in the next five to ten years. Quick answer: If your building’s essential load stays under roughly 200 kW, think a mid-sized office, school, or hotel; a 250 kVA DG set is usually enough. If you’re running heavy HVAC, production equipment, or a facility that genuinely can’t afford downtime, like malls, large hospitals, data centers, or factories, you’re likely looking at 500 kVA or above. The rest...