Ensure your Action Generator is ready for a power outage by having a licensed electrician install the transfer switch to your house. This can cost $1,230 on average.

A transfer switch isolates the generator and your home from utilities’ power lines to prevent back-feeding, which can energize wiring systems over long distances, putting utility workers at risk.

Choosing the right location is a key aspect of installing a generator. A professional can help you choose the most suitable spot and make sure it meets local, state, and federal codes. Typically, the generator should be at least 18 inches away from any windows or doors and 3 feet from any combustible materials. If the generator is close to the house, it will need to be placed in a weatherproof enclosure and surrounded by noncombustible material such as bricks or concrete to ensure that it doesn’t accidentally start a fire. It should also be located in an area that is not prone to flooding. Flooding can damage the generator and may not be covered by homeowners insurance.

Another important factor is that the generator needs to be a minimum of 36” away from any objects such as shrubs, trees, and bushes. This allows for adequate airflow and maintenance access. Some generators are louder than others, so it’s also worth considering whether there are any noise restrictions in your area.

The best place for a generator is usually close to the gas and electrical meters, as this makes tying it into your home’s utilities much easier. However, this isn’t always possible, and in these cases the generator will need to be located farther away from the home. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to consult with your electrician to find out whether the transfer switch and wiring can handle the extra load.

Many whole-home generators are powered by natural gas, so it’s important to consider where the gas meter is located. It’s also necessary to install a new gas line from the meter to the generator, which can add up to quite a bit of cost.

If you’re able to locate the generator closer to the meter, it will also be easier for the gas company to come out and read the meter. This will save you money in the long run because it reduces the number of visits required by the service technician. Additionally, it helps to keep the gas line from being overly stretched and weakened over time.

Fuel Tank

A generator requires a fuel tank to power the engine. Small tanks can be built into the frame of the generator unit itself or an external tank may be used. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. An external tank can be a better option in areas that have higher traffic or that are difficult to get to for maintenance work on the generator.

In general, the fuel tank should be a heavy gauge welded steel tank. It should have a fuel supply and return line, air vent, emergency pressure relief valve and high and low fuel level alarms. In addition, it should have a safety vapor vent and be constructed so that the inlet and outlet lines close when the tank is 95% full to prevent spillage.

The tank should also be installed at a slight inclination. This will help with the fuel flow and will prevent water, impurities or air from clogging the fuel pump. It is also best to keep the tank clean to reduce corrosion of the internal components.

Some generators can run on either liquid propane or natural gas. If a liquid propane generator is chosen, the fuel tank will be connected to a propane gas line that will feed the generator. If a natural gas generator is selected, a gas line will be run underground from the local natural gas meter to the generator.

It is important that the fuel tank and piping system meet code requirements and approvals before they can be installed. These requirements are determined by the fire marshal or other authorities that govern oil installations for use in their jurisdictions. In some cases, the fuel tank will need to be a 4-hour fire-rated diesel tank.

In order to keep the generator working correctly, it will need regular maintenance and testing. This maintenance can include a variety of tasks such as: checking the coolant levels, fluids and fuel; cleaning and inspecting the air filter; testing the transfer switch and load bank; changing the generator battery; and checking the hour meter readings. In addition, it is recommended that a log be maintained to record all maintenance activities and readings. This will be helpful in detecting abnormalities that can be a sign of problems in the future.

Electrical Connections

The electrical connections that connect the generator to your home’s power system are crucial. Without them, your generator may not be able to supply enough power to run all of your appliances during an outage. These connections are also vital for preventing backfeeding, which is when electricity from the generator gets fed back into your home’s system. This is dangerous and can cause injuries or even fires if not properly installed.

Professionally trained electricians will use a transfer switch to help ensure that only generator-supplied electricity goes into your home during a power outage. They will also test and commission the system to ensure that it functions correctly. This includes verifying electrical connections, performing load tests, simulating power outages, and programming automatic startup and shutdown sequences.

While some homeowners attempt DIY installations, this type of work is best left to a professional. If you do it yourself, there’s a risk that you’ll forget to connect a wire or accidentally short out the circuit breaker. This could lead to dangerous accidents and permanent damage to your generator. It’s also important to have a professional install the transfer switch for you to avoid the risk of backfeeding.

A transfer switch is a special electrical control device that’s usually placed next to the home’s circuit breaker box. It switches the home’s power over from the electric grid to the generator, and it allows you to choose which outlets or rooms will receive power from the generator.

You can add additional circuits to the generator this way, as long as you don’t exceed its capacity. If you do, you should invest in a power strip that has built-in protection to prevent overheating or damaging the generator.

You’ll need to install a changeover switch (rated for 63-100A) near your main distribution board. Connect the incoming line and neutral to the first upper slots of the switch and the generator’s breaker to the lower two slots. You can also purchase a kit that includes an interlock to prevent you from switching ON the generator breaker while the utility power is ON.

Transfer Switch

A transfer switch connects your generator to the electrical system in your home or business. It helps you prioritize which devices and appliances to power during a power outage and allows you to manage your available generator capacity. It also prevents backfeeding, which occurs when electricity from your generator feeds back into the power grid. This can damage electronics and pose a safety hazard to utility workers.

The transfer switch is usually installed near your circuit panel. It contains a main breaker that transfers power from your utility to your generator. The breaker cannot be connected to both sources at the same time. The switch also isolates your house from utility power. This prevents the utility power from feeding into your generator, which can cause fires and create a hazard for utility workers.

There are two types of transfer switches: manual and automatic. The manual transfer switch is operated by a crank handle and the automatic one is controlled by a computer. A licensed electrician can help you determine which type of switch you need for your generator and can install it correctly. A qualified electrician can also help you calculate the wattage requirements of your devices and determine how many circuits to include in the switch.

You will need to have an inlet box and a generator installed along with the transfer switch. An inlet box is hard-wired to the switch and helps you avoid running a heavy extension cord from your generator to your home or business. It can also be used to connect multiple generators to a single switch, allowing you to manage your available power supply.

You should also consider getting a smart transfer switch, which can be programmed to automatically manage the available generator power to whichever applications you set as priorities. This can save you money on a smaller generator and allow you to extend the runtime of your existing generator. You will need to have this type of transfer switch professionally installed and should check it regularly to ensure that it is working properly. A transfer switch must be sized to match the capacity of your generator and your power requirements. This ensures that your generator can reliably power your equipment and appliances during a power outage.