So far we have discussed generators in general, portable generator safety, and manual transfer switches. Now I would like to talk about Automatic Transfer Switches.
With an Automatic Transfer Switch everything is done without human intervention. That is upon loss of utility power the generator starts and power is transfered to the generator from the utility automatically. There is typically anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two of power outage to the home while this is taking place. Then when the utility power is restored the home is automatically transfered back onto the utility and the generator shuts down waiting for another power outage.
This is the most common application in situations where the occupants may not be home durring a power outage or simply want the convenience of power being availble in the shortest amount of time.
If you are concerned with protecting your property such as high end art work or have a medical condition which requires power to be available then the Automatic Transfer Switch is the only way to go.
For more information please contact us at 561-586-1135 and we will be happy to provide a free estimate. We also have a free Generator Sizing Calculator available for your use on our main website at www.myecservice.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Generator - Manual Transfer Switch
A whole house generator with a manual transfer switch is:
1) a generator that has the capacity to operate all electrical devices in your entire house
2) requires manual transfer of power from the utility source to the generator
3) requires that the generator is started manually
With manual transfer switches the generator must be started manually when the normal power is lost. Then after the generator is started the transfer switch must be manually switched from utility power to generator power.
This can be useful for people who might not be home during times of power outages and don't necessarilly want the generator to run when no one is home. If you are installing a generator in your home to protect property such as high end art then this is not the way you want your generator to be set up.
In cases such as property protection please contact us about "Whole House Generators - with Automatic Transfer Switch"
1) a generator that has the capacity to operate all electrical devices in your entire house
2) requires manual transfer of power from the utility source to the generator
3) requires that the generator is started manually
With manual transfer switches the generator must be started manually when the normal power is lost. Then after the generator is started the transfer switch must be manually switched from utility power to generator power.
This can be useful for people who might not be home during times of power outages and don't necessarilly want the generator to run when no one is home. If you are installing a generator in your home to protect property such as high end art then this is not the way you want your generator to be set up.
In cases such as property protection please contact us about "Whole House Generators - with Automatic Transfer Switch"
Portable Generator Safety
There are several myths that we hear about portable generators. Here we will attempt to address these and hopefully help you to maintain safe operation.
1) I don't need anything special for my portable generator - I can just plug it into my electric dryer receptacle. FALSE
When the electricity goes out the wires from your house are STILL connected to the electric utility company. If you simply connect your portable generator to your electric dryer receptacle not only will you be energizing your house but also the electrical system outside your home. This is a very dangerous situation as utility workers attempt to restore electrical service to your neighborhood.
2) I can just connect my portable generator to my electric panel - I don't need any special equipment. FALSE
Although connecting a portable generator directly to your electrical panel may seem like a good idea it is in fact very dangerous without the proper equipment installed to make it safe. Just as plugging it into the electric dryer receptacle, connecting your portable generator directly into your electrical panel has the same dangers with the added danger of not properly operating the breakers in your panel could be life threatening if your generator is still running when the electricity is restored by the electric utility company.
3) I know what I'm doing - I don't need special equipment
Although YOU may know exactly how to connect, start, disconnect, and shut down your generator let me just give you this simple but common senerio:
The power goes out in your neighborhood but is still on where you work so you get your generator going and presto your house has power so you and your family can get ready for the day. YOU leave for work while the rest of your family is still at home running on generator power. A little while later your neighbor informs your family that the power has been restored and that they can shut off the generator. Although they have seen you shut it down many times something goes terribly wrong. Someone turns on the main breaker BEFORE shutting down or disconnecting the generator. Suddenly your electrical panel is connected to the electric utility on one side and your generator on the other and they meet right in the middle of your panel. The electrical energy available in this situation can and probably will cause your electric panel to literally explode severely injuring or even killing anyone standing in the area.
There are safe and effective ways to connect a portable generator to your house without running cords throughout your home. Please contact Electric Connection for more information.
1) I don't need anything special for my portable generator - I can just plug it into my electric dryer receptacle. FALSE
When the electricity goes out the wires from your house are STILL connected to the electric utility company. If you simply connect your portable generator to your electric dryer receptacle not only will you be energizing your house but also the electrical system outside your home. This is a very dangerous situation as utility workers attempt to restore electrical service to your neighborhood.
2) I can just connect my portable generator to my electric panel - I don't need any special equipment. FALSE
Although connecting a portable generator directly to your electrical panel may seem like a good idea it is in fact very dangerous without the proper equipment installed to make it safe. Just as plugging it into the electric dryer receptacle, connecting your portable generator directly into your electrical panel has the same dangers with the added danger of not properly operating the breakers in your panel could be life threatening if your generator is still running when the electricity is restored by the electric utility company.
3) I know what I'm doing - I don't need special equipment
Although YOU may know exactly how to connect, start, disconnect, and shut down your generator let me just give you this simple but common senerio:
The power goes out in your neighborhood but is still on where you work so you get your generator going and presto your house has power so you and your family can get ready for the day. YOU leave for work while the rest of your family is still at home running on generator power. A little while later your neighbor informs your family that the power has been restored and that they can shut off the generator. Although they have seen you shut it down many times something goes terribly wrong. Someone turns on the main breaker BEFORE shutting down or disconnecting the generator. Suddenly your electrical panel is connected to the electric utility on one side and your generator on the other and they meet right in the middle of your panel. The electrical energy available in this situation can and probably will cause your electric panel to literally explode severely injuring or even killing anyone standing in the area.
There are safe and effective ways to connect a portable generator to your house without running cords throughout your home. Please contact Electric Connection for more information.
Generators
Here in South Florida generators are more than a convenience they have become a way of life. It seems all people think about durring hurricane season is "what will I do if the power goes out?" and then the word generator pops out of their mouth. Well it isn't hurricane season right now so I thought it would be a good time to talk about them before it feels like an emergency.
There are a lot of options when it comes to generators depending on what you are looking to get out of the investment. If you're not sure what size generator fits your needs check out our generator sizing calculator. The most cost effective option is a simple portable generator. Although a portable generator will probably not power your entire house it can be the difference between finding a motel and staying comfortably in your own home.
There are a lot of options when it comes to generators depending on what you are looking to get out of the investment. If you're not sure what size generator fits your needs check out our generator sizing calculator. The most cost effective option is a simple portable generator. Although a portable generator will probably not power your entire house it can be the difference between finding a motel and staying comfortably in your own home.
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