Generators are one of the few innovations that have allowed technology to transform human civilization. Storing electricity and using it later by using a generator can really make your life easier. Convenience isn’t the only thing people are after when they purchase a generator; it can also prevent unfortunate scenarios and improve quality of life. It’s not uncommon to see the sales of generators rising greatly before or after a storm.
A lot of people like to hit two birds with one stone and use their small portable power station for more than one purpose. A portable generator is often the first choice of many homeowners who want to use it as a tool for backup electricity generation for the house. To do so, you need a transfer switch for your portable generator.
Connecting Without a Transfer Switch
It may spring to the mind of a few people to connect their generator to their house by using an extension cord instead of a transfer switch. This can be a recipe for disaster because such a process ignores many important safety measures. A generator that’s working without a transfer switch during a blackout would still be working when the power comes back on. This means that it becomes independent of the grid, which can cause what’s known as a back feed. It will overload the circuit and generator, damaging them both and possibly damaging your appliances, not to mention the risk of electrocution and fires. It’s not recommended for anyone to connect their generator with a circuit breaker without a transfer switch.
Aside from being unsafe, running your generator without a switch will actually limit its use drastically. Hardwired appliances like ACs, water heaters, well pumps, and many others won’t work with your generator if it’s not directly connected to the circuit panel with a transfer switch. As mentioned on https://generatorgrid.com/blog/transfer-switch/, portable generators are required by the law to use a transfer switch if they are used to power home appliances. Stationary generators come already equipped with their own transfer switches because they are specifically designed to be backup generators.
What’s a Transfer Switch?
A portable generator used for outdoor purposes is quite simple and straightforward to use but converting it to a backup generator is not exactly the same. To be able to do so, you need to use a transfer switch, which can help you connect your generator to the circuit breaker of the house. This means that any important appliances and devices connected to the main power grid can be powered indefinitely as long as the generator is producing power. It’s the pretty common use that complies with all building codes and safety protocols.
Choosing the Right Transfer Switch
The first thing you should look for is a transfer switch that can handle the wattage of your generator. It’s important to avoid getting the wrong transfer switch because it may not work at all or even malfunction. You can try calculating the wattage of the appliances you’re planning to power if you haven’t bought the generator yet. Try to go with a transfer switch brand that provides you with all the needed accessories for a complete installation to avoid paying extra to get it set up.
There are two types of transfer switches; automatic and manual. The automatic transfer switch was originally designed for standby generators that power the whole house frequently and for long durations. If you only suffer from a few blackouts with little appliances to power every year, you should opt for the manual switch. Manual switches are quite cheaper, and they are easier to install when it comes to portable generators. The only downside in manual switches is that you’ll physically have to flip a switch to have the generator power your house.
The Installation of a Transfer Switch
The installation of the transfer switch, whether it is manual or automatic, is not an easy task and should not be attempted by just anyone. Aside from getting the permits on your behalf if your local authorities require it, a professional Narooma electrician will ensure that it’s installed safely and quickly. Your electrician will also provide you with safety protocols and tell you how to properly place the generator at the right distance from your home.
Portable generators are often the first choice for many people who move around or use trailers. The portability of electricity with you anywhere to go is quite alluring when you compare it to an immovable generator. As long as you obtain the right transfer switch and install it safely, you should be able to use your portable generator as a backup generator whenever the need arises.
