Standby for power cuts
When the mains drops, short-term standby hire helps keep essential power running without committing to a permanent installation. We supply generators, distribution and site support from Kempton Park for businesses, venues, homes hosting events and temporary operations across Gauteng.
Short-term standby power when supply fails
Standby for power cuts is a hire service for times when utility power is unavailable, unstable or being interrupted for planned work. It suits shops, offices, medical support areas, houses hosting a function, production crews, building sites, churches and community venues that need temporary power for a day, a weekend or longer. We match the generator and distribution to the load you actually need, rather than oversizing everything and burning extra diesel.
Our crew delivers to site, positions the unit, runs temporary cabling where agreed, sets up distribution, checks the load path and starts the generator. For longer hires we also arrange refuelling and basic on-hire checks. This is a temporary standby service, not a permanent electrical installation, and we do not sell generators or fuel.
What is included in the hire
Your standby package depends on the size of the load, access to the site and how long the cover is needed. In most cases we supply a trailer-mounted silent diesel generator with the distribution needed to feed selected circuits or equipment. If the site has neighbours close by, offices in use, or an event continuing during the outage, a quieter set-up is normally the better choice.
- Silent diesel generators on trailers for temporary standby use
- Mobile distribution boards for single-phase and three-phase loads
- Temporary cable runs in suitable lengths, commonly from 10 metres to 50 metres per run
- Cable ramps where pedestrian or light vehicle crossings are required
- Delivery, positioning, start-up and collection by our crew
- Refuelling support and fuel monitoring on longer hires
- Basic load guidance to help decide the right generator size
Where needed we can also include lighting towers for dark access areas, yards or working zones during evening outages. Equipment is selected around practical site conditions such as basement parking clearance, estate access rules, noise concerns and limited turning space.
How the standby process works
We keep the process straightforward so the hire can be arranged quickly when time is tight. The main thing is to identify what must stay on and what can remain off during the outage. That usually reduces the generator size and keeps the layout simpler.
- You send an enquiry through the contact page with the site location, outage timing and what needs to run
- We review the load, starting currents and any distribution requirements
- We confirm the access conditions, cable route, noise limits and refuelling needs
- Our crew delivers and places the generator on stable ground with safe clearance
- Temporary distribution is connected to the agreed points and the system is tested
- During the hire we support refuelling and checks as arranged
- When mains supply is stable again, we shut down, disconnect and collect the equipment
If the outage is planned, it helps to book early, especially ahead of municipal maintenance periods and heavy load-shedding weeks. For unplanned supply problems, clear load information speeds things up quite a bit.
What you need to prepare on site
A temporary standby generator works best when the site is ready before arrival. The unit needs a firm, level position with enough space for ventilation, safe exhaust direction and cable handling. In business parks and estates, clients should also make sure security knows a trailer unit and service crew will be entering. If the outage affects gates or access control, that should be planned for in advance.
- List the equipment or circuits that must remain live
- Confirm whether the load is single-phase or three-phase
- Allow clear access for a tow vehicle and trailer placement
- Provide a safe cable route that avoids sharp edges and standing water
- Nominate a site contact who can approve positioning and shut-down times
- Advise us about quiet hours, neighbours, or venue operating rules
For coastal or very damp conditions we take extra care with temporary cable placement and distribution positioning. On dusty sites, especially active building work, keeping vents clear around the generator is important. Clients should also tell us if sensitive items such as fridges, sound equipment or pumps will be starting under load, because that affects sizing.
How pricing is worked out
Standby hire is priced according to the practical scope of the job rather than a single flat amount. The biggest factor is generator size, because a larger set brings different transport, fuel use and cable requirements. Hire duration also matters, whether it is a few hours for a planned interruption or several days while a site waits for repairs.
Other pricing factors include delivery distance from Kempton Park, access difficulty, after-hours attendance, distribution board requirements, total cable length, cable ramps, refuelling visits and whether an operator needs to remain on site. A simple daylight placement feeding one board is different from a late-night callout at a busy venue with multiple temporary runs. We explain the scope clearly so clients can see what is included and where costs come from.
Support during the hire and aftercare
Once the standby system is running, our role is to keep the temporary supply practical and manageable for the agreed period. For longer hires we monitor fuel use and return for refuelling as arranged, because letting a generator run low under essential load is not worth the risk. If the required load changes on site, we can review whether the distribution or generator size still suits the job.
After the outage period, we shut down in an orderly way, disconnect temporary equipment and collect the hire items from site. We also check for any cable issues, access damage risks or changes that may be needed if the client expects further outages. Many customers use this service while waiting for repairs, switchgear work, or a longer-term power plan to be decided, so practical feedback after the hire helps with the next step.
What our Generator Hire customers say
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Questions we get asked
Can you power an entire property during load-shedding?
Sometimes, but many clients choose to power only essential circuits or equipment. That keeps the generator size, diesel use and temporary cabling more manageable.
Do you connect into a permanent changeover system?
We provide temporary standby hire and distribution only. If a site has existing compliant connection points ready for temporary use, we can discuss the practical set-up during the enquiry stage.
How do I know what size generator I need?
Send us the list of items that must run, including anything with a motor, element or compressor. We use that information to estimate the load and suggest a suitable standby set-up.
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Tell us about the job
Send sizes, materials and where you are through our contact form, and we will come back with the practical options.
Open the contact form