Home generators are designed to provide electricity in times of power shortages or failures for a short period of time. Home generators not only light the house in the event of power outages, but also, depending on their capacity, provide power to run appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, furnaces, televisions, and heaters.
Home generators are available in two types: portable and stationary or standby generators. In times of power shortages or power outages, small portable home generators can be used to run select appliances such as lights, refrigerators, furnaces, and sump pumps. Generators come in different sizes and capacities ranging from 1 kilowatt to 100 kilowatts. Home generators run on diesel, gasoline, propane, or natural gas. The least expensive is the portable gasoline engine.
The size and type of generator depends on the requirements of the homeowner. Is it required to power the entire house or just a few select appliances? The total number of appliances to be used must be identified and the total wattage added. Some electrical equipment or appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, consume two or three times their normal power to start. A generator should be selected that has a capacity greater than the maximum wattage requirement of the appliances. The total electrical load of the generator must never exceed that specified by the manufacturer. In addition, the generator must have the voltage rating necessary to run 240-volt rated appliances. A 5 KW generator is enough for home use and costs about $600 or more.
Portable generators should not be connected to the home wiring system. Use the recommended extension cords. Overloaded cables can cause a fire. Never run cords under rugs or rugs where they can be damaged. The electrical load on the receptacles must be balanced. Portable generators must be located outside the home. The carbon monoxide that is emitted through these generators can be dangerous to your health. Always allow the generator to cool down before refueling.
Stationary home generators require the service of a professional or licensed electrical contractor for installation. The generators are connected to the home wiring system through an automatic transfer switch. Stationary generators come with an automatic power monitoring system. As soon as there is an interruption in power, the generator automatically begins providing power and automatically shuts down after normal power is restored. Most generators run on natural gas and can be connected to your home’s natural gas line. This eliminates the inconvenience of recharging the generators. There are also models available that run on LP gas and diesel. Generators from 8kw to 17kw are enough to power lights, computers, refrigerators, medical equipment, furnaces, and water heaters. The generator must be housed in a properly ventilated structure as they produce heat and smoke. Stationery generators can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the models.
Regardless of the type of generator, all generators must provide a power of 60 hertz for the correct operation of any electronic equipment.