HOW TO HOOK UP STANDBY GENERATORS TO A HOUSE? GUIDE FROM THE EXPERTS
Philip Brown Jun 6, 2023 2:07 PM
Investing in the quietest backup generator for your home is a very good measure to protect your family if there is a prolonged power outage. There are hundreds of options for different sizes of generators at different price points.
How to connect a standby generator to your home? When the main power source, especially the national grid, fails, the backup generator can provide emergency power to the household. Give priority to providing the most essential services such as lighting, television, and refrigerator, including etc. All other appliances in your home should be considered. Many appliances use more energy, including stoves, air conditioners, and tumble dryers.
Before diving into systems that connect generators to homes, you must review and understand the configuration of common American home wiring. The house's wiring configuration affects the generator's size and connection.
3-wire 120/240 V system with two separate 120 V lines with common neutral connected to 2 busbars in your main electrical panel.Small electrical loads in the home are distributed between these two 120 V lines, while larger appliances, such as central air conditioners, draw power from both lines. The wiring also contains a ground wire for electrical safety.
To power the entire house during a power outage through a standby generator, the generator must be capable of providing dual 120 V/240 V power. Most smaller inverter generators have only one. Sockets. 120 V and cannot power your entire house.
Generac Home Generator
Source: Pinterest
Every homeowner should think about having a standby generator to protect their home and their loved ones. Since a standby generator will keep your important electrical equipment running during a power outage, it can help you avoid situations like food spoilage and equipment breakdown or damage resulting in costly repairs.
Having a residential backup generator can give you extra peace of mind during power outages due to weather changes and unforeseen circumstances.
Advantages of Having a Whole-House Standby Generator for Your Home
-
Reliable: Your home will receive automatic emergency backup power immediately after a power outage.
-
Convenience: Full-house generators provide power outage protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
-
Long-lasting: They are permanently installed in the house and typically last 10-15 years or more.
-
Easy maintenance: natural gas or propane standby generator can be used to power the machine.
-
Versatile: Adaptable and able to power all the circuits in your home.
Quieter: Consider models with unique features that run equipment quieter or perform weekly self-diagnostic checks when choosing the best backup generator for your home.
The downside of most generators is that they are noisy. So, before installing your device, ensure it is located in an area that can protect you, your neighbors, and animals from noise.
With portable models, inverters tend to be quieter but are often less efficient. When it comes to backup generators, they can also be noisy, but there are things you can do to minimize the noise.
Read more about inverter generator.
Install Standby Generators a Little Further From Your Home
You can place the standby generator away from the house, windows, and doors. With a backup generator, make sure the exhaust is located away from your home. Some generators have pipes facing upwards, which can also reduce noise.
Install Standby Generator Far Enough Away Home
Source: Pinterest
Vibration-Absorbing Plate to Reduce Generator Noise
You can also place the standby generator on a vibration-absorbing plate. They are specifically designed to reduce noise. Another option is to purchase a noise-reducing cage or box, which can significantly reduce noise without obstructing airflow for cooling. Some people also choose to do it themselves, which can void the warranty if not done properly.
Use a Noise-Reducing Cage of Box to Reduce Noise
Source: Pinterest
When installing an ATS, an outdoor rated enclosure will be mounted on the outside of your home next to the meter, which is the more common option. However, it can also be installed indoors as long as it complies with the service box requirements. The utility's mains power must be turned off before you continue-and make sure your generator is off.
Once that's done, connect the power cable from your home to the unit with the ATS box mounted. All utility power cables, service disconnectors, and customer load conductors are connected to the transfer switch. Finally, the generator power cable is connected.
Next, the standby generator needs to install and connected to the batteries and fuses in the generator. Before starting the generator for the first time, check the oil to make sure it is at the correct level. You should also check the fuel supply and make sure that the fuel lines have been cleaned.
The final step involves testing and verifying the transmitter using the manual power option. Once done, add the fuses to the ATS switch. The generator can also be activated online using the app.
After a series of tests, the generator is ready to turn on automatically after a power failure. Turnaround time is about 7 to 10 seconds.
Connect Standby Generator to Home
Source: Pinterest
It is possible to install your own standby generator if you have the necessary tools and understanding of basic wiring (as well as a little time to spare). In case the work seems overwhelming, consider hiring a professional installer.
