Understanding the term Home Standby Generators

Oct 1, 2013 Generators
Posted by Generator World

Understanding the term Home Standby Generators

Residential use generators supply power to homes when the electric utility supply is lost. Utility power interruptions occur on account of weather related events including high winds, ice buildup on wires, wild animal damage, motor vehicle collisions, and damage due to many other acts of nature or man. Home appliances and systems that depend upon electric power cannot function within the outage unless a way to obtain emergency power is available.

Permanent Installation

Standby generators are invariably willing to operate, around the clock, seven days per week. These are permanently wired to the home’s electrical system through an automatic transfer switch, and connected to the home’s natural or LP gas supply pipes. A Natural or LP gas hookup ensures the generator always has a sufficient supply of fuel available and does not require frequent refueling within the extended outage.

Automatic Transfer Switch

Automatic Transfer Switches work alongside the standby generator’s controller. Following the generator starts and is able to accept the electrical load, the automatic transfer switch disconnects the electrical system from your utility supply and connects it to the home standby generator. The change in power from one supply source to the other is automatic and controlled by electronic switches inside the transfer switch. If the electric utility restores power, the transfer switch reconnects the utility supply and disconnects the generator.

Automatic transfer switches are usually made by the generator’s manufacturer to meet the needs of a particular standby unit, given that they work directly with the standby generator’s controller. Additionally, they provide different choices, including power management, with respect to the needs from the consumer.

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

Operation

Standby generators are automatic, permanently installed equipment that do not require frequent refueling with liquid fuels. They operate without operator intervention, apart 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 completely automatic mode, whether or not the homeowner isn’t present.

Standby power means the generator is able to operate always. When an outage occurs, the generator starts from a short delay, then a transfer switch moves your house onto emergency backup power. It happens quickly and without intervention, but it is possible to find a few seconds when the house is without electric power. Some electronic equipment may need an uninterrupted supply that operates off battery power before standby generator is able to start and connect to the home’s electrical system.

Installation

Installation requires building permits and the assistance of a qualified electrician to setup the transfer switch making the required electrical connections, as well as a plumber in order to connect the generator towards 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 location chosen for installation must be sure that exhaust gases will not enter the home and using CO detectors can also be required.

Home standby generators complete when electric utility power becomes unavailable to guarantee the safety of homes, property, and families.

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