After witnessing countless power outages across New Brunswick over our five decades in the trade, we can’t overemphasize the importance of proper generator usage. Let us share some tips that could save lives and protect your property.
Installation and setup options
Whole-house standby generators are the ultimate in backup power, but we understand they’re not in everyone’s budget. A portable generator with a dedicated transfer panel is a cost-effective alternative that we’ve successfully installed for many clients. These systems require some manual operation and supervision during outages, but when properly installed and operated, they are a reliable backup power solution. However, proper installation is absolutely critical for safety and functionality.
Load management
First up is deciding how much generator capacity you actually need, or, if you already have a generator, how much of it you can use.
Load management is often misunderstood. When installing whole-panel transfer switches, we always ensure homeowners understand their generator’s capacity and the power draw of each appliance, and know how to prioritize essential loads and properly sequence the startup of heavy equipment.
Let’s break this down in practical terms. There’s only so much power available, and every electrical device you connect takes a share. For example, a typical 7500-watt portable generator actually provides 6000 watts of continuous power, with that extra 1500 watts available for motor start-ups.
First Priority: List your essential loads.
- Heating system (a mini-split heat pump, for example, can draw about 1500 watts)
- Refrigerator (500-750 watts running, but needs 2000-2400 watts to start)
- Some lighting (LED bulbs are your friend, drawing only about 10 watts each)
- Well pump if you’re rural (750-1000 watts running, 2000-2500 watts starting)
Tips:
- Never start all high-draw appliances at once
- Stagger the start-up of motors (fridges, pumps)
- Turn off one high-draw item before starting another
- Keep track of your running total
You’ll want to leave about 20% capacity unused as a safety margin, which means you need a generator with 20% more capacity than the wattage you need for continuous operation.
Proper transfer equipment
As licensed electricians, we cannot emphasize this enough: never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring without proper transfer equipment.
Dedicated generator panels are essential. A dedicated generator panel allows only predetermined circuits to receive power during an outage, meaning you don’t need to go flip breaker switches to turn them off one at a time.
If you want more flexibility, there are whole-house transfer switches available. These allow you to power any circuit in your home, but they require some knowledge and careful load management. The drawback of this flexibility is that you need to be aware of your power budget, as discussed in the previous section about load management. We always tell our clients it’s like managing a power budget – you need to understand how much power each appliance draws and avoid overloading the generator.
Safety essentials
Take time to carefully plan location and ventilation for generator operation. Always operate generators outdoors with a minimum 20-foot clearance from buildings. Never run a generator in a garage, even with the doors open, and ensure exhaust cannot enter the building through windows or doors.
Weather protection brings its own set of considerations. Use manufacturer-approved ventilated covers while ensuring proper airflow isn’t compromised. Keep the generator elevated in wet conditions and maintain adequate clearance for cooling.
Proper grounding and security measures are non-negotiable. All equipment must be grounded according to CEC requirements, and the generator should be secured to a permanent structure using heavy-duty chains and locks to avoid an “unplug and lug” situation where a thief decides to permanently borrow your expensive generator. Consider installing motion-activated lighting in the generator area for additional security (and make sure it’s on a circuit that is powered by the generator).
Maintenance and common mistakes
Don’t wait until a power outage to test the generator. Fire it up once in a while during the off-season, keep fresh fuel on hand (ideally with fuel stabilizer added), and check oil levels before each use. Schedule professional inspections annually to ensure everything remains in proper working order.
We mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating: please remember to never connect your generator directly to your regular electric panel – your generator will send electricity into the grid once the power comes back on, which could seriously injure or kill utility workers.
Remember, proper installation by a licensed electrician isn’t just about convenience – it’s about safety. We’ve seen too many DIY generator setups go wrong. If you’re considering a portable generator setup, please consult a licensed electrical contractor. The safety of your family and our utility workers depends on proper installation.
