Matthews Electric, Inc

Picking the Perfect Emergency Portable Generator

How to Pick the Perfect Emergency Generator In the past, enduring a power outage was as simple as starting the fireplace. Not anymore.

Without electricity, basements can flood. Security systems can falter. Home businesses can fail.

"You don't realize how much you rely on electricity until it's gone,"

Many homeowners are unable or unwilling to wait out the next power outage, so they are converting their portable generators into emergency backup power systems.

What NOT to Buy!

The key to picking the perfect emergency portable generator is to pick the right style first, then pick the right wattage.

The key to picking the perfect emergency portable generator is to pick the right style first, then pick the right wattage.

CAMPING GENERATORS
Recreational generators are great for tailgating or camping. A power outage, however, is no picnic.

Small recreational models will only power an appliance or two. Plus, you'll need to refill their small gas tanks every few hours.

JOB SITES
You don't need to go overboard with a professional-grade model either unless your a contactor using your generator on a daily basis.

"What's the point in purchasing a top-of-the-line portable generator with all the bells and whistles that's only used a few times a year?"
Recreational generators are great for tailgating or camping. A power outage, however, is no picnic.

Small recreational models will only power an appliance or two. Plus, you'll need to refill their small gas tanks every few hours.

Why put transfer switches on generators?...
The only proper and most safe way to run a generator is with a transfer switch. These switches should only be installed by an electrician.Transfer switches have three selections. Generator...center off...and utility. It prevents you from having the generator and the utility power on at the same time. Which would mess up the wiring in your home. And when installed properly will prevent a backfeed to the utility lines which could prove fatal to lineman working. The utility transformer is a stepdown into your home but becomes a stepup when fed the other way.

During the year 2004, Florida experienced the wrath of Mother Nature 4 times, leaving many residents without electricity for days and in many areas for weeks. The northeast area of our country was hit with the largest power outage in U.S. history in August of 2003. Due to power outages, many businesses had to close down. People were left in the dark. Experts agree that the existing infrastructure of this country will take 20 or more years to reconfigure. Weather experts have indicated that Florida has entered into a cycle and can expect to see an increase in hurricanes for the next 20 years.

The loss of power of a period of days or longer could start an economic downward spiral. Many small to middle size businesses are not financial prepared to be closed for a period of time. Many employees could not survive without a weekly paycheck. Everyday tasks like cooking and washing clothes would be impossible. Things that we take for granted, like television, refrigeration, and air conditioning would no longer work. We are a society that depends on electric to survive and meet our every day needs. What would you do if your electricity was gone?

You can purchase small emergency gas generators that can run a few lights and a fan. These generators rely on gas and are extremely noisy. What happens when you run out of gas? Do you have a safe place to store the gas? Do you want to be able to run more of your household appliances than just one or two at a time? Is someone in your home dependant of medication that needs to be kept cool. Is anyone in your home dependent on medical devices that utilize electricity? How easily can you deal with the Florida heat without air conditioning? You may want to consider a standby generator to get you and your family through a power outage.

This standby generator is permanently installed so it's always ready to go when a power failure occurs. It also has a transfer switch which automatically turns the generator on and off as needed. You do not have to be home for your system to work! No more worrying about food spoiling in your refrigerator or freezer or a power surge when the power returns. The generator is fueled by natural gas or LP gas. By utilizing either fuel option you eliminate the need to store smelly dangerous gasoline. You eliminate the worry of running out of gas. This method provides you with potentially unlimited run time. It has an automatic voltage regulator to eliminate spikes so you can continue to run sensitive electronic equipment. The generator produces a lot less noise then a typical gas run generator. The noise level is about the same as your air conditioning unit, therefore you will not disturb your neighbors or your family's sleep.

Be prepared for the next power outage! Call us today for a free estimate for installing a stand by generator. Our comfort care specialist will answer all your questions about generators and size the generator (just like your a/c system) to meet your needs.

The generator creates electricity by a series of fine wire windings inside a magnetic field, called an armature. As the armature is spun inside this magnetic field by the generator's motor, current and voltage gets generated in those windings of wire and electricity is transferred. That current and voltage will be directly proportional to the speed that the armature spins and to the strength of the magnetic field. Each complete revolution, one complete cycle of alternating current (AC) is developed. This is called a rotating armature.

In a stationary armature, the magnetic field rotates around the armature. The advantage of having a stationary armature winding is that the generated voltage can be connected directly to the load.

The frequency of the generated voltage is dependent on the number of field poles and the speed at which the generator is operated. Frequency, measured in Hertz (Hz), is the number of complete cycles per second in alternating current direction. As current flows through the armature, there is some amount of resistance and inductive reactance. The combination of these make up what is known as the internal resistance .. When the load current flows, a voltage drop is developed. When a Direct Current (DC) voltage is applied to the field windings of a dc generator, current flows through the windings and sets up a steady magnetic field. This is called Field Excitation.

An exciter is part of the generator package supplying direct current to the alternator field windings to magnetize the rotating poles. The exciter output may be controlled by a voltage regulator. Types of exciters include brush type with rotating commutator, static excitation or brush less generator and exciter. A regulator is an important option to consider if there are frequency or voltage sensitive equipment such as computers.

Portable Generator Hazards

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire.

Every year, people die in incidents related to portable generator use. Most of the incidents associated with portable generators reported to CPSC involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces.

The benefits of Stand-by Generators

Another potentially devastating hurricane season is at the front door, and many business owners and homeowners have yet to recover from the last two seasons. Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not care. One thing that is certain, the 2006 hurricane season is expected to bring dangerous weather that will threaten the region’s power grid. When the lights go out, homeowners suffer through uncomfortable conditions and businesses are faced with a significant loss of revenue – sometimes forcing bankruptcy.

Following are some important things to keep in mind when choosing a generator manufacturer, as well as important tips on generator safety.

Maintaining Your Generator

Maintaining your generator engine is quick and easy. With proper maintenance, your generator engine will provide efficient, reliable power for years to come.