Deciding on Installing Your Home Standby Generator Yourself
Sep 19, 2013 Generators
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Generator World
Put in a Home Standby Generator Yourself: Why/ Why Not?
Standby generators communicate with an automatic transfer switch to supply electric power within a power outage. Installation isn’t necessarily a complicated job, nevertheless it does require knowledge beyond the scope of most do-it-yourself books. Handling the task yourself instead of hiring an experienced and qualified installer can stretch your budget, nevertheless it will likely take more time. You will find positives and negatives to handling it as a do it yourself project and hiring an expert.
Installation
Most effective standby generator installation works on the load center coupled with an automatic transfer switch in a single unit. The transfer switch connects with a double-pole breaker in the primary service panel. The circuits the generator will power are disconnected in the primary panel and routed to the new automatic transfer switch where they are linked to new breakers.
Other installations replace the main service panel with a new one which incorporates the automated transfer switch, or perhaps the ATS is installed between your meter along with the existing panel.
Plumbing to extend the home’s gas lines to the standby generator is needed with an assessment of the gas utility meter to be sure it will handle the elevated flow of gas. Or else, the utility will require a brand new meter installation.
Electrical Work
If you are knowledgeable enough to perform the task yourself and will convince the local building inspector that you can handle the job, you may be around the installation. Expertise in the National Electric Code as it pertains to the installation and your service entrance, as well as a well documented policy for installation may help pave the way for a permit to proceed which has a generator installation, but you’ll still have to try everything correctly and pass the inspection.
Failure to feature important codes or making dangerous mistakes might prompt the inspector to require you to hire an electrical contractor after the fact, which will probably run you more cash in the long run. Creating a “No Occupancy” tag slapped on the home as you made too many mistakes can give you away and off to a motel and incur much more expense before troubles are corrected and your generator passes installation.
Plumbing Work
Connection to your home’s gas or LP gas supply lines is necessary. Natural gas lines to the new standby generator are run with black iron pipe, and LP gas uses copper or plastic tubing. You will need the skill to generate leak-free connections and be able to test for leaks following the installation.
Building inspectors shy of householders that wish to accomplish their own gas line plumbing work, and gas utilities feel similarly. The possibility of explosion or suffocation from leaking gas is very high when mistakes are made and gas lines leak. Explosion danger reaches to neighboring homes.
When you should Do-It-Yourself
If you are positive your skills and may receive the building permit, then go ahead and install your standby generator and automatic transfer switch. Follow every one of the manufacturer instructions together with all local building codes. The structure inspector ought to be other people you know throughout the installation and may offer advice and caveats. Should you come across conditions that allow you to deviate plan, call the inspector to ensure the modern plan is acceptable. Above all, never proceed with purchasing materials or starting set up before you have the proper permits.
When you should Employ a Pro
Understand that you’re working with electricity and you will be subjected to dangerous electrical currents. You’ll need to tap into your home’s gas lines and make up a leak-free pipe run and link to the standby generator. Failure in either of the trades may cause severe injury or death. If you aren’t positive about your abilities with proven experience, hire a professional. It’s worth the peace of mind and saving a few dollars isn’t worth losing the life of someone you care about or yourself.
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