It’s Not Just a Number

When an outage occurs, one of the first things that happens is people turn to a backup power source. Whether it’s a battery USP or a generator, these backup power sources having the capability of not being electrically stranded could be a matter of comfort or even a serious medical condition.

Thousands of accidents happen each year and are caused by improperly operating generators, more than 70 of those incidents are fatalities. Operating generators responsibly can keep you and your family safe. Generators and hookups that are installed by certified electricians is the most effective way to ensure the safety of yourself and the people that are benefitting from the external power source.

Safety is Paramount

Portable and inverter generators are the most popular units being used. These versions require a way to get the power into your home to run your appliances, lights, and possibly a furnace. Running extension cords through windows and under doors is a common practice, but the cords themselves pose possible threats.

• Ensure the cord isn’t a tripping hazard
• Inspect the cord for cracks and ensure the plug ends are intact
• Make sure the generator is 5-10 feet away from the building (do not run them in your garage or basement)
• Check to ensure interior CO (carbon monoxide) alarms are functioning properly
• Place the generator on a level surface and out of standing water
• Only refuel the generator after it’s been cooled down so it doesn’t cause a fire

Back-feeding

Unless your house is equipped with a transfer switch, do not plug the generator into the house. Connecting a generator into a residence through means of an outlet causes a back-feed. Many of the dangers can result losing one of the largest investments, your home.

• Back-feeding can injure the utility workers repairing the power grid
• Faulty wiring can short and cause fires
• Electricity that isn’t regulated through breakers can cause arcs, shocks, and burns to occupants
• It’s illegal in most areas

–If any damages or injuries were to occur, the owner of the residence can be held accountable–

Transfer Switches

A transfer switch, or TS, is highly recommended for connecting a portable generator to a building. When your main source of power goes down, the transfer switch will require to be manually actuated. The like a standard distribution panel (breaker box). The TS allows the flow of a backup power source to flow into a separate distribution panel (breaker box) without it going into your main panel and possibly back-feeding into the grid or over working the generator. The emergency breaker panel, when working in tandem with a TS, only permits the electricity to go to prequalified designations. Medical equipment, furnaces, refrigerators, and water pumps all require large amounts of energy and adding to the loads with an insufficient amount of power, will cause issues for the necessary appliances to work properly.

Standby to Standby

Most stationary standby generators are professionally installed and are wired right into an automatic transfer switch. The generator and switch have sensors, when the main power goes out the switch then changes over and the generator begins powering the home. When the electrical grid comes back on, the switch then turns itself off and the generator shuts down. Besides having battery backups and solar power, like Tesla Powerwall or LG Home Battery, this is the safest method of getting emergency power into the home.

Get Connected

BD Electrical & Solar Service has a great history and are certified with installing Transfer Switches, Generac Generators, Tesla Powerwall, and LG Home Battery backup systems. We also specialize in solar power. Even though the grid may be down, your house can be up and running safely.