Generator article reprint
Transfer
of Power How to Safely Restore Power to Your Home
While this article is from 2004, the
information is still valid today. Be safe, always
follow safe power practices!
Hurricane Charley left nearly a million
customers in the dark. Electric Generators
Direct.com, an online emergency generator
superstore, offers some valuable advice on how to
safely restore power to your home with a portable
generator.
August 22, 2004 -- Hurricane Charley is quickly
teaching homeowners a valuable lesson about taking
electricity for granted. The Category Four
hurricane knocked out power to nearly a million
homes in Florida, and many residents are still
living without power. Homeowners are now using
portable generators in record numbers to safely
restore power to their homes. "Getting a
generator is one thing," says Jon Hoch,
founder of Electric Generators Direct.com (http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com).
"Getting the electricity into the house is
another."
According to Hoch, extension cords are fine for
small generators because you can only plug in one
or two appliances. The most common way to use a
portable electric generator is to place it
outdoors, then run extension cords through an open
window or door to the chosen appliances. Extension
cords have several drawbacks.
First, most extension cords can't be plugged into
a furnace, well pump or ceiling-light fixture. If
the cords are too long, the resulting power drop
may damage the generator and appliances. And if
they are placed under rugs or carpets, heat can
buildup and spark a fire. "Be sure to use
appropriately sized power cords to carry the
electric load," said Hoch. "Typically,
the thicker the cord, the more electricity it can
carry."
If you want to use extension cords, consider
getting a Gen-Cord (http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/catalog/accessories.php).
You simply plug the all-weather cord into your 20-
or 30-amp generator outlet and then run it inside.
The plug on the inside splits into three 120-volt
outlets, where you can plug in several household
appliances or additional extension cords.
For safety's sake, Hoch recommends hiring a
licensed electrician to install a power transfer
system that redistributes power from the generator
to the home's circuit box. The power transfer
system (starting at $200) reduces the need for
multiple extension cords running from the
generator to specific appliances, and it
eliminates the risk of electrical "back
feed" injuring utility workers working on
downed power lines.
It is installed beside the main electrical panel,
and then it's connected to the circuits you'll
want running during a blackout. When the power
goes out, you simply crank up the generator and
run a single power cord from it to a transfer
switch. "Once the generator is running, you
can choose which appliances and circuits you want
to use by simply flipping the switches," said
Hoch.
It's important to keep track of what's being
powered, warns Hoch, because the transfer switch
is often wired into more circuits than the
generator can handle all at once. "A typical
power transfer system installation will take less
than two hours and cost around $100-$200,"
said Hoch. "But it's an investment that will
be fully appreciated the next time the power goes
out."
Electric Generators Direct (http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com)
is an online generator superstore owned and
operated by Power Equipment Direct, Inc. The
company also maintains Pressure Washers Direct (http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com)
and Air Compressors Direct (http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com).
For more tips on how to pick the perfect emergency
generator, visit http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/catalog/pickperfect.php
For more tips on how to safely use a portable
generator, visit http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/catalog/transferofpower.php
This article courtesy of http://www.powergeneratorpros.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your
website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and
the author
name and URL remain intact.
● Email Me ● |