home.Ĭhoosing a generator for your home’s needs requires a few calculations. Often fueled by home natural gas lines or propane tanks that offer a bottomless fuel source, standby generators are made in sizes with as much as 20 to 40 kilowatts of output – enough to supply all of the power needs of a 5,000-sq.-ft. Large standby generators that resemble central air conditioners are the top of the line in backup power supply systems. They may be installed with portable generators, provided the generator is equipped with an electric starter. Using a transfer switch not installed by a professional may also void the warranty of the switch and the generator.Īutomatic transfer switches turn on the generator and switch off the utility supply when they detect a significant drop in line voltage. The potential for backfeed is the main reason many municipalities insist that only a licensed electrician hook up a transfer switch. This condition could be fatal to line workers who are trying to restore power. If the inactive utility power line is attached to the service panel, “backfeed” of power from your generator to the utility line can occur when the generator kicks in. But perhaps the most important job a transfer switch performs is to disconnect the utility power. The switch is wired to selected essential circuits in your house, allowing you to power lights, furnace blowers, and other loads that can’t easily be run with an extension cord. You provide a power feed from the generator into the switch. CAUTION: The terminals where power enters the main breakers will still be energized. Turn off the main power breaker in your electrical service panel. Let’s describe 14 steps fot installing a manual transfer switch: Step #1 Most larger, stationary generators can output 10,000 to 20,000 watts (10 to 20 kilowatts). Portable standby generators typically output 5,000 to 7,500 watts. ![]() This will give you the minimum wattage your generator must produce. Incandescent lights: 60 watts per bulb (CFA and LED lights use less wattage)Īdd the wattage values of all the loads you want to power, and multiply the sum by 1.25.Forced air furnace: 1,100 to 1,500 watts.Here are some approximate running wattage guidelines (use this MS Excel Spreadsheet for calculating electrical loads): Because the startup wattage of many appliances is higher than the running wattage, avoid starting all circuits at the same time-it can cause an overload situation with your generator.
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