Emergency Generator Basics
Coping in a Natural Disaster Isolated From the National Power Grid
When disaster strikes, a backup generator can save the day. Power blackouts, hurricanes, and ice storms! Prepare with a power supply and an automatic transfer switch. When is the best time to buy, install, and test an emergency generator? Before disaster strikes. Anyone waiting to go to the home improvement store for plywood, batteries, and disaster emergency kits is going to miss the boat. A residential wind turbine is a nice source of green and sustainable energy, but what happens if high wind knocks it out?
Planning for Disaster Preparation
In addition to basic safety, water, and food, comfort is high on the list of life's desirable amenities. Having a hurricane come ashore does not necessarily mean evacuation, but it does mean disruption of the status quo. Frozen and refrigerated food certainly beats eating beans and Spam out of the can. A blizzard that brings a power blackout means misery if the home depends of electricity-driven heat. An emergency generator will solve all these problems.
Electrical Equipment Load Analysis
An electrical load assessment needs to be done to determine the proper generator's power output. Figure in the running load and the surge wattage. Surge wattage occurs when there's an additional power requirement, such as when the central air conditioner system cycles, or the refrigerator compressor cranks up. Figure the surge wattage by determining the largest demand and multiply that by three. The running load is determined by summing the wattages of all the devices that will be running.
Locating the Back-Up Generator
The primary danger with this device is carbon monoxide, the same toxic gas that a car emits. Secondary is the annoying noise. The unit should be located outside the home with plenty of air circulation, never in the garage or under the deck. It's a good idea to have it elevated on a sturdy structure in case of flooding.
Obey Local Electrical Building Codes
It's strongly suggested to have installation done professionally by a licensed electrician. In many cases, the local electrical building code demands a visit by the electrical inspector.
Install an Automatic Transfer Switch
The simplest way to get power from the emergency generator to the home's power system and appliances is with a heavy-duty extension cord, but is this really a proper solution? Hardly. A better solution is to install an automatic transfer switch. A good switch detects when the power fails and switches the power source from the electrical grid to the generator. A manual switch is done by hand. The device also ensures that power can't go from the generator back onto the grid, which endangers any lineman who might be working on the system.
