November 22, 2022
Dianne Russel
As winter sets in, it is more important than ever to have a constant supply of electricity in your home to keep your heating appliances running. The most obvious way to avoid an unexpected power outage is to purchase a backup generator. But how do you connect it to your electrical system and what do you do with your electrical panel when the device takes over in the event of an outage? Find out in this article.
A standby generator is designed to power your home in the event of a power outage. It can take over automatically when the power goes out, or you have to activate it manually.
Generally, the generator must be able to supply electricity to the entire property and must therefore be connected to the circuit of the entire house. It runs on fuel, often gasoline or diesel, depending on the model. Its consumption varies according to its power. Basically, the more powerful a generator is, the more electricity it can supply, but the more fuel it consumes.
The main drawback with this type of device is the noise it can make. Indeed, the generators make a noise not very accommodating. It is sometimes difficult to hear yourself speak when you are in front of these devices. This is why a generator is installed outside the house, in a separate room specially designed for this purpose. This same room will allow you to store fuel and tools for its maintenance.
Yes, a generator needs regular maintenance. Since it is a heat engine, it requires much the same maintenance as a car engine, i.e. oil change, filter replacement and regular refilling of the fuel tank.
Installing your new standby generator is not a random process, especially if you plan to power your entire home with it. First of all, you don't need to install miles of multiple outlets and extension cords throughout your home to connect appliances when the generator takes over. Your usual electrical circuit can be sufficient to carry both the main power supply and the generator in case of a power outage.
Secondly, you should know that it is risky and strongly discouraged to connect your emergency generator directly to the electrical panel. You could electrocute yourself, damage your electrical panel or set your house on fire.
For a safe and proper installation, a generator panel, also known as a transfer switch, should be used. This is an additional box installed in or near the main panel that will take over the power supply from the generator when a power failure occurs.
All the steps involved in the installation of your transfer switch must be performed by an experienced electrician. Even if you have some knowledge of electricity, avoid doing it yourself for the simple reason that it is extremely dangerous. You risk being electrocuted and any error in connection could have catastrophic consequences for the integrity of your home.
Even before you purchase your standby generator, call a master electrician who will help you choose the right wattage for your needs. He or she will then help you purchase all the necessary equipment to install your generator, including the transfer switch.
If you have an obsolete electrical panel, chances are you can't plug in a transfer switch. Only modern panels with circuit breakers, not fuses, can accommodate this type of device.
Depending on the size of the generator, it will be agreed whether only the utility circuits are connected to the switch, or the entire electrical system. Utility circuits include, but are not limited to, rooms and areas where power is needed, such as where heaters are located, the refrigerator, and the living room for watching TV and relaxing. Then, all that remains is to connect the generator to the transfer switch.
There are two main types of transfer switches: manual and automatic. The first will activate the power supply from the backup generator to the house after you manually activate it. In other words, there will be a delay between the outage and the supply of power from the standby generator, while you activate the power button.
On the other hand, the automatic switch will immediately put the generator on standby as soon as the main power is interrupted. This is more convenient, since you won't have to go back and forth and the outage time will be very short. This way, even if you're not home when the power goes out, your home will automatically have power, allowing heating and lighting to continue to operate until you return.
The only drawback with the automatic switch is its much higher price. This is the reason why the manual version is, today, the most used in Canadian homes.
If you are considering the purchase of a standby generator for your home, your safety and comfort are paramount. So, call on our services to help you with the purchase, installation and maintenance of your standby generator.
Our technicians have the skills, experience and equipment to perform a safe installation according to current standards. This way, you will have peace of mind for many years without worrying about power outages.
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