What you need to know to get a Power Generator

By Rafael Valderrama

No body knows what he has until he loses …that’s an old story that every body who has went in to an outage lives. Pretty much everything what sustain what we call today modern life runs on electricity, so is not uncommon to feels like in the stone age when you are in the middle of a blackout.

Many people wish for backup power only when it's too late. Generators quickly sell out before and during emergencies, so don't wait until the next major power failure to consider buying one.

The idea of this note is to mention all the critical decisions you need to make at the time you decide to get a power generator. You just need to consult with a professional from JED power to get all the information you need.

It's important to size your generator. An undersized generator won't last long and can destroy motors and other electrical equipment that require more current than the generator can deliver. Generators are rated by their maximum electrical power output in kilowatts. (A kilowatt equals 1,000 watts, or enough energy to light 10 100-watt light bulbs.) For greatest efficiency and to prolong your generator's life, operate it at no more than 75 percent of its capacity.

Generator Components

Most generators have four primary parts: an engine that provides the mechanical energy; an alternator that converts the mechanical energy into electricity; an output/control panel that houses electrical outlets, circuit breakers and switches; and a frame to hold all the components together.

Engine speed is another factor that relates to how long a generator will last. Air cooled engines that run at 1,800 revolutions per minute (rpm) normally last longer than those that operate at 3,600 rpm.

Because alternators are what generate electricity in the engine, it's equally important to choose one that is built to last. All-metal construction is preferable to plastic, which can crack or warp, causing the internal parts to wear or break. Alternators that use ball bearings rather than needle bearings in their construction should have a longer life span, too. Another important feature to look for is a "brushless" design, which requires less maintenance and generates "cleaner" power for electronic devices such as computers.

Noise Issues

Generators, especially gasoline-fueled models, make major noise. Generally, the cheaper the generator, the louder it will operate. One way to minimize the noise level is to buy a generator with a water-cooled engine and a good muffler. An alternative approach is to locate your generator away from your home, but this can cause problems with long power cords and voltage drop.

Connecting your Generator

If you are just going to power one or two appliances or a few lights, you may be able to use an extension cord to connect them to your generator. Be sure to use a heavy-duty cord that won't cause excessive voltage drop. Saving a few dollars by buying a cheap extension cord for an expensive generator is foolish and potentially dangerous—an overheated extension cord is a fire hazard.

A much safer approach is a transfer switch. If you plan to back up appliances that can't be unplugged from your home's electrical circuits —such as your furnace or boiler—or you want to power all your household lighting, then you must have a transfer switch. These special electrical panels work somewhat like your main circuit breaker panel and are available in manual and automatic models.

An automatic transfer switch accomplishes the same tasks as a manual model, except, as its name implies, it functions automatically.

Planning ahead for blackout emergencies is a wise strategy because most energy experts predict even more problems with grid reliability in the future. Get your backup generator ready now and transform your next power outage from an unpleasant surprise (or worse) into a minor inconvenience.

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