Residential Standby Generator

Residential Standby Generator:

Residential Standby Generator The power output of a generator is measured in watts and before you purchase a generator you need to decide the size that will meet your requirements. If you will only be using a generator for occasional backup for lights and small appliances a side valve generator with a 2000 watt output will be adequate. For longer outages or for heavier use a generator with 3500 watt output or higher and overhead valve design will be needed. We’ve put together some information about features and output ratings to help you decide on the size and type of generator that will suit your needs. Features Valves – valves may be side mounted or overhead mounted. Larger models are usually overhead mounted and in general are more reliable and longer lasting. Auto Shutdown – An automatic shutdown switch for low oil conditions is essential to prevent accidental damage. Spark arrester – always ensure your generator has a spark arrestor if it will be used anywhere near combustible materials. Pull Start – compression release pull starts make starting much easier

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Generator Size It is, of course, vital that you purchase a generator that is adequate for the intended load it will carry. You can calculate the wattage required for your particular circumstances very easily. Firstly decide what appliances, pumps, lights etc need to be run then look on the appliances for the wattage required for each. Don’t forget any furnace/boiler or water pumps. Electric motors on pumps and other appliances require more wattage to start up than for running, sometimes up to three times as much so this must be taken into account when doing your calculations. In addition, if you have more than one motor, unless you can manually stagger their start ups, they will all be drawing start up power at the same time and put a bigger burden on the generator.

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A power generator will supply power to your home or business when the public utility fails. You can have the peace of mind knowing that you will have a power supply capable of running all the essential appliances that you need to weather the storm. So, in my opinion the most basic fact about standby generators is that they’re worth their weight in gold. Having lights, heat, hot water, refrigerator, sump or well pumps and any other essential services allows you to carry on with your daily routine in spite of the hand that Mother Nature deals out.

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There are 2 types of power generators: Portable and Standby. The portable ones are on wheels and you store them when not in use and bring them out when needed. You will also have to store the fuel needed to run it or go buy it when the time arrives that you need it. A Standby generator is permanently installed outside your home and connected to your natural gas line or to propane tanks. As opposed to portable generators, with a standby generator you don’t have to worry about where to store the unit. You don’t have to drag it out of the basement or garage during a storm. You don’t have to store hazardous gasoline or diesel fuel in or around your home. You don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide compliance. You don’t have to move it or connect any power cords to it. It’s sitting right there waiting to detect the next power failure and go to work supplying necessary power.

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Every home’s power generator needs are different. Residential standby generators are available in a wide range of sizes, typically ranging from 7,000Kw – 20,000Kw. The first thing you have to do before choosing the right size is to determine what essential appliances you want to run in the event of a power failure. Then, you need to know how much wattage it takes to run each appliance, including surge power (amount of power needed to start up the appliance). Once you know that you can then use a sizing chart available on a website like Amazon.com, Generac.com., or findgenerators.com. This will help you determine the approximate size that you’ll need. It will also give you an idea of how much money you will spend. However, it is always recommended that you have a licensed electrician analyze how much power you will need before purchasing.

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Buying a generator with an automatic transfer switch is highly recommended for 3 reasons: 1. It automatically detects an interruption in power from your main power source 2. It switches the power source over to generator power automatically within a few seconds 3. It detects when the utility power is restored and automatically transfers the power source back to the main utility. No human intervention is necessary. How convenient is that!

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The Difference Between Portable Generators and Standby Generators The most common generators out there are portable generators. We bought a medium-sized, Wacker 5,600 watt portable generator for our cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin where we seem to have more than our fair share of power outages. The generator wasn’t that expensive for a model with a commercial grade Honda engine and when it’s not in use, is stored out of the way in a corner of our garage. We did have the electrician wire the house to accommodate the generator which wasn’t really necessary but the electrician was coming anyway so we thought, why not. We decided instead of using multiple power cords to hook up our appliances, we would use a manual transfer switch. We also had an outdoor receptacle specifically installed for the generator. So now when we need to use it, we haul it out of the garage, fuel it up, plug it in, pull the cord, and flip a switch on the circuit breaker panel to move the power over to a separate panel which has breakers for the refrigerator, wood pellet stove, microwave and a couple overhead lights – a load our generator can easily handle. We don’t have a wheel kit so the hauling of this 180+ pound generator out of the garage part can prove tricky for my wife (I highly recommend a wheeled model or wheel kit accessory so anybody can easily move the generator around!).

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Standby generators, on the other hand, are permanently installed units that run on natural gas, propane or even diesel. They are hardwired into your home’s electrical system and automatically turn on and off without anyone lifting a finger. You can purchase large units that run your whole house or smaller ones that run only selected items. Large, medium or small standby units though are considerably more expensive than most portables and require an electrician for installation. What is really nice is that standby generators create a total turnkey solution to your emergency power needs. When would I seriously consider a standby generator? If I had a home in an area prone to severe weather, like the hurricane belt; if access to my home was remote or difficult – even on a good weather day; if my home was off the grid and relied solely on solar or wind energy – just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate; if I managed a business where the loss of electricity would be devastating – such as computers that must be kept operational, refrigerators that must be kept running for sensitive medical supplies or jobs that are extremely time sensitive and a loss of production would severely impact the bottom line.

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Tips on Buying Pre-owned Generators Companies, large or small, normally purchase pre-owned or low-hour used generators. Because, it is assumed they are cost-effective and tested. However, the following tips can ensure right purchase after making the choice from single, three phase, wattage, voltage, self start, motor starting, etc.: Age While buying a pre-owned car, the mileage is checked from the odometer. The Generators are also motor driven and hence the age and the usage can be checked. Normally, standby generators are less used than the one connected to the prime power. When the set is not supported with such meters, the reputation of the seller and their technical expertise is important. The seller’s knowledge can be measured by asking the procedures they use – installation and de-installation, dyno -testing equipments, etc.

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Brand The make of the Generator definitely illustrate its performance. A well known brand with specific quality certifications ensures safety. Of course, proper maintenance by the user is implied. Reputed firms like Cummins, Wartsila , Kohler, Caterpillar and a handful of others are safe bet. Buying from unknown brands is taking a big chance. Physical Inspection Like any other machinery, the generators go through wear and tear. All the mechanical components need to be checked. If any of the parts are replaced with different brand spares, affirmation should be obtained if the same were done by qualified technicians. Check for any welding and undue windings. From a safety point of view, the bearings, bushings, bolts, nuts, etc., replacement ensures smooth functioning of the generator. Load Test A load test helps to measure the efficiency of the Generator. Based on the response of the Generator on the varying loads, its efficiency is estimated. The test should check for proper and steady output and frequency. The tests need to be conduced two or three times to ensure there are not power breakdowns.