SupportOver the decades, portable power technology has had a remarkable impact on society’s advancements and improving our day-to-day lives. For example, temporary power has given us the flexibility to access power in remote locations. We can also keep necessary medical equipment in hospitals running when the power goes out and offer relief to those affected by natural disasters. In this article, we’ll explore the history of portable power technology and how it benefits us today.
Foundations for Portable Power Technology
The concept of portable power outdates the invention of the lightbulb! Portable power can be traced back all the way to ancient times in the Parthian Period (250 BC to 224 AD). The Baghdad battery was one of the earliest prototypes of portable power. This primitive battery was composed of a clay jar using a stopper made from asphalt. The stopper contained a metal rod wrapped in copper. When filled with vinegar, it created a small electrical voltage.
During the early 19th century, scientists like Hans Christian Oersted discovered electromagnetism which is electricity produced by magnetism. Oersted began to closely study electromagnetism by placing compasses around a wire with a current flowing through it and studying how the compasses reacted. A decade later, Michael Faraday began to build off Oersted’s discoveries to better understand how electromagnetism works. He developed “Faraday’s Law”, which outlines how a magnetic field induces voltage in a circuit. These findings helped to lay the foundation for the temporary power equipment that we use today.
In 1831, Faraday created the first electric generator, also known as the “Dynamo”. Over the 19th century, many scientists contributed to a better understanding of how electricity can be generated using motion instead of a permanently placed magnet. Between the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century, Nikola Tesla began to work on developing generators that created alternating current (AC) output.
Throughout the 20th Century, generators began to perform more reliably and efficiently due to advancements in materials and design. Digital control systems were also introduced to allow for more precise regulation and monitoring. Finally, generators began to progress into more compact and portable designs that could be used at construction sites, events venues, and residential areas.
As of today, generators are continuing to improve in fuel efficiency and noise reduction. Generators are now available in a wide variety of sizes, configurations, and are even designed to run off different fuel sources to best meet your needs. If you would like help deciding which generator fuel source might be the best fit for you, visit our previous blog The Ultimate Face-Off: Gas Vs. Diesel Generator.
Building a Complete Portable Power System
In addition to engineers improving the generator itself, temporary power accessories are essential to a generator’s performance. While generators are the powerhouse of a portable power system, they need help to be properly connected to a building. Generator Feeder Cables, which are also known as Cable Assemblies, play the crucial role of connecting a generator to a building and facilitating power distribution.
Transfer Switches are another key player in effectively distributing power from a generator to your building. Transfer Switches are responsible for changing a building from utility power to generator power. The main types of Transfer Switches are Automatic, Non-Automatic, and Manual. An Automatic Transfer Switch contains special technology to detect when the power grid goes down and automatically switches to a generator power source. A Non-Automatic Transfer Switch doesn’t have sensors to detect a power outage, so it requires someone or something to facilitate the transfer to backup power using its controls. Lastly, manual transfer switches require a person to manually transfer the power to backup power by the pull of a lever.
Other power distribution equipment such as Generator Docking Stations and Camlock Disconnect Switches are critical to the performance of portable power systems. A Generator Docking Station works in conjunction with the Transfer Switch to conveniently connect to and utilize a generator. Camlock Connection Switches, built from the shell of a disconnect safety switch add an additional layer of safety to each portable power setup. They allow you to quickly shut off the flow of electricity in the event of an emergency or testing.
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