Friday, August 23, 2013

Generac Portable Generators

By Ray Hauser


The loss of utility power can be one of the most unpleasant and potentially damaging events that can happen to a homeowner. Houses go dark, basements flood, heat is lost and vital medical equipment shuts down. People depend on electricity directly or indirectly for just about everything that modern society has to offer. Its sudden loss can be traumatic.

A great solution to losing utility power is the portable generator. These machines are indispensable during a power crisis. Portable generators are easy to setup and operate. With a quick start they can supply power for all of your essential needs. Portable units are also great for outdoor sporting events, camping trips or remote construction sites.

Generac, the world's innovative leader in backup power systems, offers a wide range of portable generators including the GP, XG, XP, iX and LP lines to fit almost any application. Power outputs range from a minimal 800 watt iX machine to a 17,500 watt GP unit.

Portable generators are usually powered by a gasoline, diesel or propane engine. They are differentiated from standby generators in that they are relatively small, mobile machines mounted on wheels whereas standby systems are permanently installed and hard wired into a home or business's electrical system.

Standby generators also need a transfer switch for directing the flow of electricity. If utility power goes down, the standby generator starts up and the transfer switch automatically transfers the home electrical system over to the generator. Standby generators function automatically and provide twenty-four hour protection. Standby systems are significantly more expensive than portable generators and they require complicated installation and inspection.

Portables don't need costly and complicated installation and inspection, but they do have to be manually started and appliances must physically be plugged into them. The portable generator can also be shutdown and put away when it's no longer needed.

Outlet types vary depending on the machine and output, but most systems have two 120V 20 amp duplex receptacles and a higher wattage receptacle such as a 120/240V 30 amp twist lock outlet.

If you plan to rely on a portable generator for backup power, it's generally a good idea to have traditionally hard wired appliances like furnaces be rewired so that they are pluggable. In a power emergency the furnace can then be plugged directly into the generator.

When deciding whether to purchase a portable generator, the first step is to ascertain your general power requirements. What appliances do you want to be able to operate with your generator? Do you need to keep everything operational at once or can you rotate power to various appliances as you need them. The quickest and easiest way to get a handle on your total power needs is to manually count up the wattage ratings of the devices that you want to run. Most items have their power consumption ratings listed on them. A four or five thousand watt generator usually provides enough power for most homes or small businesses to get by on.

Authorized Generac generator dealers have trained personnel who can assist customers in assessing their portable backup power requirements and then match them to the appropriate generator.




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