Generators
HELP! MY ELECTRICITY HAS GONE OUT.
Mister Sparky’s electric generator service is one of the most comprehensive in the business because we know the importance of staying connected and staying safe when the power goes out. Whether installing a new generator or servicing a backup generator, we’ll assess your needs and ensure you have peace of mind.
WHAT IS A GENERATOR?
Generators are standby devices that can supply electricity to your home during power outages. During a power outage, you can continue operating essential appliances such as refrigerators, computers, heating and cooling systems, and lighting.
The process that generators employ involves converting mechanical energy into electric energy. This is the same process that is used, on a larger scale, to produce electricity for entire communities by your local utility provider. In essence, a spinning shaft powered by an engine is used to produce a magnetic field through a coil, which in turn produces an electromotive force.
CHOOSING A GENERATOR
Home generators can be either portable or stationary. They run on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, and oil. Generally, gasoline portable models are less expensive to purchase. However, they typically have shorter run times because of the need to refill the tank if it’s used constantly. And if the outage is due to widespread outages or severe weather conditions, gas pumps may not be operational. With its readily available supply, natural gas tends to be the more reliable for stationary models.
The main differences between stationary and portable models are in their connection and activation. A portable unit must be moved to your location, filled with fuel, then connected to the fuel line, manually started, and then connected to your load requirement. Portable units allow for easy storage when needed. A stationary unit can start immediately and is usually already wired to the home and the fuel source. A determining factor as to which works best involves how much space you have for the unit since a stationary unit may require a concrete pad.
Generators usually come in sizes that range from an output of 1 kilowatt (kW) to over 100 kW.
CHOOSING A FUEL TYPE
Your choice of fuel should be determined by the fuels available in your area. The more remote your location is, the bigger the concern for having available fuel will be. As mentioned earlier, gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and to an extent, propane have limited availability and delivery in extreme circumstances. Natural gas can also be limiting if you are not connected to their distribution system.
WIRED SYSTEMS
A standby power backup device connects to the house wiring through a transfer switch. The transfer switch prevents ‘back-feeding’ into utility lines, which is dangerous and illegal. It also protects the device from damage caused by the utility company applying voltage to your house wiring while it is operating. These switches can either be automatic or manual and should be rated to carry the larger of the maximum load of the residence or the full output of the generator.
LIMITATIONS
If your generator is intended to supply only a portion of your home’s electrical load, a list should be made of the electrical equipment to be powered during an outage, for example, appliances, lamps, furnace blower motor, etc. Compare the total wattage of the equipment to the total wattage output rating of the generator and do not exceed it.
In any case of installing stationary generators or performing electric generator service, a licensed Mister Sparky electrician should perform all the electrical connections to avoid any problems. Additionally, all wiring and equipment must comply with local, state, and federal laws or codes, be inspected, and adhere to the rules and regulations of your local area.
