Portable Generators 101
Portable generators can be there for you in times of need. Whether it is a crisis of epic proportion or a simple blackout, it is important that you know how to properly work a generator and what type of generator you actually need to fulfill the needs of your family. Consider these points when it comes to choosing and operating a generator.
Choosing the correct portable generator for your family is essential to getting the most out of it when you are in a dire situation. To determine what generator you should get, you need to calculate the sum of the electrical loads that you want to have powered at the same time. Add up all the loads you know you need to run simultaneously. Then, as a necessary precaution, determine which electrical item in your home consumes the most electricity upon startup and add that figure in as well. This will give you your minimum generator size in watts.
Knowing what generator, you should buy is only the first step. Connecting a portable generator to your home is the key. If you don’t know how to do that, you might as well forgo the cost of the purchase, because it will do you no good.
The safest choice for running a generator is plugging it in to a transfer switch. This is essential a combination switch and an electrical subpanel. This is wired directly to the house and its service panel, and the generator is merely plugged into it upon demand. Upon throwing the switch on the transfer switch, you remove the home from its connection to the grid, and ensures that power only goes to the house in the designated circuits that you’ve included. It is vital that you never attempt to simply plug a generator into a wall outlet, as this is patently dangerous and can result in death or serious injury for utility workers.
For best results, it is recommended that you hire a professional to connect the transfer switch to your home. Once that is done, you can know for certain that your generator will work well for you for years to come. For help hooking up your generator, contact our team at I.T.S. Electric today! Click here for a free quote.