Portable Generator - The Latest In Home Generators
Portable Generator Article
The Latest In Home Generators
The purpose of home generators is to provide electricity for a short duration of time during power shortages or outages. They can be used to run house lights, and if sufficient capacity, can run necessary appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, furnaces, heaters, televisions and radios.Home generators come as either a portable or stationery (standby) generators. When power disruptions occur, these small generators can be used to keep lights and selected appliances running until normal power returns. Portable generators come in differing sizes with capacities ranging from 1 kilowatt to 100 kilowatts. They can be run on either diesel, gasoline, propane or natural gas with gasoline being the least expensive.
A decision for each homeowner is sizing and whether to go with a portable or stationery generator. Is it desired to run the entire house or just a few appliances in an outage? To determine size, a total of all the wattage requirements for the selected appliances must be made. Some appliances with compressors have a higher starting wattage rating that must be used. Once the total wattage has been determined, a generator with a capacity larger then the total must be selected. To choose a smaller generator could cause the generator to shut down. If some of the appliances are 240 volt, the generator must have that capacity also. Home generators rated at 5KW start at $600.
You should never connect a portable generator to the home wiring system due to electrical hazzards. Any extension cords used should meet recommendations for electrical capacity. Too much wattage on an extension cord can cause a fire. Cords should not be placed under rugs or carpet. If the generator has multiple outlets, the load should be balanced as evenly as possible between them. A portable generator must always stay outside the house due to carbon monoxide in their exhaust. Generators should be allowed to cool before refueling to prevent fire hazzards.
Stationery home generators must be installed by a professional or licensed electrical contractor. These generators are connected to the home wiring system with an automatic transfer switch. An automatic power monitoring system recognizes any power disruption and immediately starts the generator. When normal power is restored the monitor turns the generator off. The primary fuel for this type of generator is natural gas and can be hooked into the home's natural gas line (eliminating the need for refueling). Other models can run on LP gas or diesel. Stationery generators in the range of 8KW to 17KW are large enough to run an average homes lights, computers, kitchen appliances, medical equipment and heat or air equipment. These generators should be contained in a ventilated structure due to the heat and smoke they produce. Depending on the model of generator, the price could range from $2,000 to $10,000.
To power any electronic equipment, make sure the generator provides 60 hertz power.
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