The Lowdown on a Standby Generator

What is the difference between a portable generator and a standby generator? The standby unit is capable of powering an entire home. A portable unit can supply power to an appliance and it can be moved around. You cannot move around the unit that is capable of powering an entire house.

When a power outage occurs, the standby generator will start up on its own. These are large devices and are fixed in one place. It looks similar to a large outdoor air conditioning unit. Portable units are much smaller; they are about the size of a regular cooler. A small gas engine also powers them.

The basic difference is that a standby generator will power everything in the house, while a portable generator will power one electrical appliance at a time. Another very important difference is that a professional must install the standby units. This is because they must be connected to a propane or natural gas fuel source. The generator also must be connected to your home's electrical system.

A standby generator must also have a transfer switch installed with a separate electrical panel. This switch allows the power to come on within a few seconds of a power failure. When your regular electricity has been restored, the transfer switch senses this and powers down the generator.

Some generators actually come with software that allows you to check the status of it even if you are not at home. It can also let you know if there is something wrong with the device. This can be very helpful information.

A standby generator requires periodic maintenance just like any other mechanical device. Your operator's manual will provide information on how to do this yourself. Alternatively, there are companies that can do this for you.

You should test your standby generator on a regular basis to make sure the starting battery is still in good shape. It should be charged about once a month. If you do not test it, chances are that it might not work when you need it most.

By Martin Applebaum

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