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Portable generators are used for low power uses: tools, job sites, camping,
small emergencies that mainly range from 1.8 KW to 8 KW.
Because of moving limitations, weight, and difficulty to handle bigger portable generators (over 8KW),
a standby generator is used for residential and commercial uses,
for dedicated to a specific purpose, as well as in all situations when you don’t intend to move it later.
The portable generators are Diesel or gasoline powered, while the standby generators are liquid propane/natural gas
powered (LP/NG). The reason to use LP/NG is that in time for over six months, the gasoline or Diesel fuel loose
their octane strength, making it more difficult to run the generator, or even impossible to start it. At the end,
if the generator is not used for a whole year, you need to replace the fuel, which is messy process and a waste of money.
More that that, a full tank of gasoline has a limited time of running the generator, between four to eight hours.
After this, you need to refuel. Diesel generators are more efficient than gasoline-based generators, but they still
need to be refilled. Another inconvenience for Diesel/gasoline generators is that at very cold temperatures (20F to -7F)
it is very difficult to start the generator.
Portable generators are made to be stored inside, in a dry place and to be outside only when used. This is why you need
to be able to move them as needed.
These are serious reasons why we recommend standby LP/NG generators for residential and commercial buildings.
The LP/NG generators have an easy start engine and for cold weather they can be equipped with a cold weather kit to
make sure the engine starts at the right time with no effort. Also they are less noisy and not atmosphere pollutant.
So, go for GREEN!
The LP/NG fuel does not loose its octane characteristics in time. A tank of LP can be as good for use in ten years as
in the first day.
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You cannot hook up directly the generator into the house electric panel, because it will have
a devastating effect on the generator, on the house, and the utility grid.
You need to install a transfer switch that does the interconnection of these three entities: house, generator, and
utility grid. When your house is hooked up on the generator, the utility power needs to be completely disconnected
and when the house is getting the electric power from the utility grid, the generator needs to be disconnected from the house.
This process of allowing only one source of power at a certain time is accomplished by the transfer switch.
There are two types of transfer switches:
- The Manual Transfer Switch is used when you need to transfer manually the power source from the utility grid
to the generator.
- The Automatic transfer Switch will start automatically the generator when a sensing element in the switch
detects the power failure in the utility grid. The power is transferred automatically from the power grid to the
generator, which is a very convenient thing especially if you are away from the building. You don’t need to worry in
the middle of the night or in your Florida vacation that your house will be flooded because of frozen pipes, or the
refrigerator and freezer will stop working, or you may loose data while working on the computer.
The only disadvantage of the automatic transfer switches is that they are more susceptible to overvoltage transients
introduced into the utility network by lightning or utility maneuvers at opening-closing circuits with network
complication. This inconvenience can be met by installing a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) of type Panamax.
These devices have the ability to clip the voltage spikes and protect the whole house electrical network,
including the transfer switch sensing circuits and generator.
KDE Electric has installed over 60 pieces such TVSS to different customers in our six years
of business in Virginia.
So far we are not aware of any complaint or failure. These Panamax TVSS are indeed very efficient and reliable
against lightning or short spikes done by utility disconnects.
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KDE Electric recently became a dealer for Generac products.
Generac is the largest company in USA specialized in manufacturing generators and other products
that are incorporated with generators.
The Generac line of products are very reliable.
Their OHVI engine lasts longer, and need a less amount of effort in maintaining the engine,
because these generators do need maintenance.
The Generac Co manufacture these engines especially for the generator use.
Generators are often required to run for hours at a time, day after day.
Generac’s OHVI engine utilizes the same type of pressurized oil lubrication used to give automobile
engines long and trouble-free lives. They have a significantly longer life compared with other
competitive engines – three to four times longer.
Generac gives to KDE Electric service installers training classes in installing and servicing
such Hi-Tech machines. Technical support is available 24 hours for the dealers.
The sale market for USA is taken by Generac in proportion of 5:1, or 80% just because of the high
quality of their products and services.
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