Frequently Asked Questions About Generators
Generators are a great option to protect your home or business from power outages. Automatically providing power during blackouts and brownouts, generators provide protection and peace of mind. You know you need one, but perhaps you still have a few questions. As the best generator installer in the Irvington area, read on to find the answers to the top 4 questions we get about generators.
Frequently Asked Questions About Generators
1. Are Generators Safe?
Generators are a safe source of backup power. However, generators are electrical equipment and should be treated as such regarding safety precautions and procedures.
When installing a generator, the installer needs to ensure the generator is grounded and bonded with the existing electrical system. At Consolidated Hudson Electric, generator installation begins with a review of the existing electrical system. We ensure that all wiring in the panel is compliant. For example, existing wire connections, sizes, types, and termination methods will affect the way in which we connect your generator and determine if any repairs or corrections need to be made. If the neutral wires are not bonded properly, this can cause uneven voltages and gating circuits, such as a computer or digital equipment, such as smart switches, dimmers, audio control and the like can malfunction or even be damaged. During normal operation on utility power, the phase voltage is a sinusoidal wave, and changes in linear loads and will change the amplitude of the sine wave. Simply put, a generator will produce a different type of power than your utility power and not having your electrical system properly prepared can cost you dearly.
2. How Do Generators Create Electricity?
We have Michael Faraday’s principle of electromagnetic induction to credit for modern generators. Generators are basically an electrical motor working in reverse. They do not make electricity per se, but instead convert mechanical or chemical energy into electrical energy. By forcing electrons from the external source through an electrical circuit, the power of motion is captured. Residential and commercial generators use fuel sources like diesel, gas, and propane to create mechanical power that can then be forced into a circuit and induce an electrical current. Once an electrical current has been established, it flows to power those devices it has been wired to protect.
3. Where Do Generators Get Their Power, What Kind Of Fuel Do They Use?
There are many different fuel options for electrical generators. Industrial generators typically use diesel fuel. Residential generators commonly use natural gas or liquid propane (LP) fuel. Smaller portable generators typically run on gasoline, diesel fuel, or propane. Some generators have bi-fuel capability, meaning they can run on both gasoline and diesel.
Liquid Propane units typically run approximately 1 week on a designated tank size, whereas natural gas units have an indefinite run time. For smaller units, the fuel tank is either part of the skid base or top-mounted on the frame. For commercial generators, an external fuel tank is typically erected as part of the installation process. At Consolidated Hudson Electric, we obtain all city planning approvals to ensure local compliance.
4. What About Permits?
We will handle the permits to ensure proper adherence to local building codes and regulations. Relax knowing that Consolidated Hudson Electric can handle every detail of your generator installation project.
What If I Still Have Questions?
Still have questions? Check out my previous article about what to expect with a generator installation. Then, call us at 914-591-0100, or email info@conhudelectric.com for the best, most reliable generator installers in the Irvington, Chappaqua, Scarsdale, Westchester County, and Fairfield County areas.
