Generators
When the mains is miles away, a generator keeps the job moving with proper 240v power for tools, lights, and chargers.
On new builds, refurbs, and call-outs where the supply isn't live yet, a power generator saves wasted time and bodge leads. From a small generator for van stock to a petrol generator for heavier loads, pick the output to match what you're actually running and you'll avoid nuisance trips and cooked kit.
What Are Generators Used For?
- Powering 240v tools and battery chargers on new builds where the temporary supply is not in yet, so the day does not stop when the first battery dies.
- Running site lighting and welfare basics during early starts and winter fit-outs, when you need reliable power before the building is signed off.
- Keeping maintenance and call-out teams working at remote units, farms, and outbuildings where a small electric generator is quicker than waiting on facilities.
- Providing backup power for an electric generator for home use during outages, keeping essentials running without relying on extension leads from neighbours.
- Supporting short-duration jobs with a mini generator for low-draw kit, where carrying a full-size unit would be more hassle than the job is worth.
Choosing the Right Generator
Match the generator to what you are powering, not what you wish it could do, because under-sizing is what trips breakers and ruins tools.
1. Power output and start-up load
If you are only charging batteries and running a couple of lights, a small generator makes sense. If you are starting motors, heaters, or bigger site kit, step up the capacity because start-up draw is what catches people out.
2. 240v generator sockets and what you actually plug in
If all your kit is standard UK site gear, make sure the 240v generator has the right socket setup for your leads and chargers. Do not assume one outlet will suit the whole gang if you are running multiple chargers and lighting at once.
3. Petrol generator size and transport
If it lives in the van and comes out for quick jobs, a mini generator is easier to handle and actually gets used. If it is staying on one spot for longer runs, a larger petrol generator is worth it for steadier output and fewer refuel stops.
4. Noise and where it is running
If you are working near occupied buildings or tight residential streets, prioritise a quieter unit so you are not falling out with neighbours or the client. If it is a remote site, you can be more flexible, but you still want it stable and not rattling itself to bits.
Who Uses Generators on Site?
- Groundworkers and civil crews who need power away from the cabin, especially for lighting, pumps, and keeping kit charged through long days.
- Chippies, sparkies, and fit-out teams working in shells and refurbs before the mains is live, so first fix and second fix can crack on.
- Maintenance and facilities teams who keep a small generator in the van for breakdowns, temporary power, and jobs where access to sockets is a gamble.
The Basics: Understanding Generators
A generator is simple in principle, but buying the wrong type is what causes flickering lights, tripped breakers, and tools that run rough. Here is what matters on site.
1. What a generator actually does
A generator turns engine power into usable electricity, giving you portable 240v power where there is no mains. The outcome you care about is steady voltage so chargers, lights, and tools run normally instead of struggling.
2. Petrol generator vs electric generator
A petrol generator is the common choice for site work because it is self-contained and easy to deploy anywhere. An electric generator is often how people describe the output, but what you are really choosing is the fuel and design that suits how long you need power and where it is being used.
3. Small generator and mini generator use cases
A small generator is for keeping chargers, lighting, and low-draw kit going without dragging a big frame unit around. A mini generator suits quick, mobile jobs, but you still need to check it can handle the start-up load of anything with a motor.
Shop Generators at ITS.co.uk
Whether you need a small generator for van work, a 240v generator for site set-up, or a petrol generator for longer runs, we stock the range in one place so you can match the unit to the job. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery to keep your job moving.
Generator FAQs
What do you mean by generator?
A generator is a portable power source that produces electricity when you have no reliable mains supply. On site that usually means getting usable 240v power for chargers, lighting, and tools so you can work in shells, remote areas, or during outages.
What is a generator and its types?
A generator makes electricity from an engine, and the main "types" you will come across are defined by how they are powered and what they are suited to. For most trade use you will be looking at a petrol generator in different sizes, from mini generator units for light loads through to larger power generator sets for longer run times and heavier draw.
Will a 240v generator run my everyday site tools without tripping?
It will if you size it properly for what you are running, including start-up load, not just the running wattage. If you are stacking chargers, lights, and a tool with a motor, that is where an under-sized small electric generator will struggle and trip.
Is a small generator worth it, or will I outgrow it straight away?
A small generator is worth it if the real job is charging batteries, running lighting, or keeping low-draw kit going on short visits. If you regularly need to run bigger loads or multiple users at once, you will outgrow it fast and you are better going up a size rather than chasing a generator sale and ending up short on power.
Can I use an electric generator for home during a power cut?
Yes, an electric generator for home backup can keep essentials going, but you need to plan what you are powering and how you are connecting it. Do not guess loads, and do not lash it into household wiring unless you know exactly what you are doing, because that is how you damage appliances and create serious safety risks.
I keep seeing "generater" or "genarator" online, is that the same thing?
Yes, those are just common misspellings of generator. What matters is the spec of the unit you buy, like the 240v output, run time, and whether it suits the load you need on site or at home.
