Understanding the term Home Standby Generators

Residential use generators supply power to homes when the electric utility supply is lost. Utility power interruptions occur due to weather related events including high winds, ice buildup on wires, wild animal damage, car accidents, and damage caused by many other acts of nature or man. Appliances for the home and systems that count on electrical power cannot function during an outage unless a method of getting emergency power is available.

Permanent Installation

Standby generators are always ready to operate, twenty-four hours a day, seven days every week. These are permanently wired on the home’s electrical system through an automatic transfer switch, and attached to the home’s natural or LP gas supply pipes. A Natural or LP gas hookup ensures the generator has always a satisfactory availability of fuel available and won’t require frequent refueling during an extended outage.

Automatic Transfer Switch

Automatic Transfer Switches work with the standby generator’s controller. Following your generator starts and is ready to accept the electrical load, the automated transfer switch disconnects the electrical system from your utility supply and connects it to the home standby generator. The transfer of power from one supply source to another is automatic and controlled by electronic switches within the transfer switch. Once the electric utility restores power, the transfer switch reconnects the utility supply and disconnects the generator.

Automatic transfer switches are generally made by the generator’s manufacturer to meet the requirements of the particular standby unit, because they work directly with all the standby generator’s controller. Additionally, they provide different options, including power management, with respect to the needs with the consumer.

Some transfer switches install between the utility meter along with the main service panel to supply power to your entire panel. Others install as being a subpanel in the main service panel and just supply selected critical circuits, such as pumps, refrigerators, furnaces, and medical equipment.

Operation

Standby generators are automatic, permanently installed equipment that don’t require frequent refueling with liquid fuels. They operate without operator intervention, aside from regular, scheduled maintenance. Unlike portable models which have to be connected and started when power is necessary, the standby home generator operates in a totally automatic mode, whether or not the homeowner is just not present.

Standby power means the generator is ready to operate always. When an outage occurs, the generator starts following a short delay, then the transfer switch moves your house onto emergency backup power. It happens quickly and without intervention, but you can still find a matter of seconds when a home is without electrical power. Some electronics may necessitate an uninterrupted supply that operates off an assortment before the standby generator will be able to start and connect towards the home’s electrical system.

Installation

Installation requires building permits and the help of a qualified electrician to put in the transfer switch to get the necessary electrical connections, in addition to a plumber in order to connect the generator to the home’s gas supply. Inspections of the prepared gravel bed or layer of concrete are generally required before installation, along with the finished work after installation. Adherence to National Electrical Codes, Plumbing Codes, National Fire Protection Association Codes, and local ordinances is required.

The place chosen for installation neesd to make sure that exhaust gases will not likely enter the home and the application of CO detectors is also required.

Home standby generators fill out when electric utility power becomes unavailable to ensure the safety of homes, property, and families.

To find out more, go to: www.BackupHomePower.com

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