Bianca
DEFAULT
You must be logged in to view this content. Please click the button below to log in.
LoginAs the news of natural disasters and related power failures increases, you may be one of the many Americans investing in a back-up generator. Portable generators are the cheapest option but they come with several caveats. First, any mention of portable generators must come with a warning about carbon monoxide CO , the poisonous gas they produce and release into the air. Hundreds of people die from CO poisoning annually and thousands more are hospitalized, reports the CDC , so it is crucial that you never run a portable generator indoors, even in a garage. Ideally, place it outside at least 20 feet from any doors or windows into your home. Because your generator will be outside, you'll need a system in place to safely get power to your home circuits.
Electricity is an integral part of modern-day life. Aside from providing lighting, it also powers phones, entertainment devices, and key household elements. These include HVAC and security systems. While the power grid is generally a reliable source of electricity, power outages often occur. This may be due to extreme weather events, short circuits, and issues with the transmission lines or substations.
In Nigeria, where power outages are frequent, understanding how to safely and effectively connect a generator to your house is essential. Portable generators provide a reliable power source during emergencies, allowing you to keep essential appliances running. The use of electrical control device called a transfer switch is something you put next to your house's circuit breaker box. The transfer switch's primary function is to move your home's electrical grid from the electrical utility grid to your generator which is the most recommended method that protects appliances from damage in cases of electrical surge. When the primary power source, particularly the one from the national grid, fails, a portable generator can supply emergency electrical power to a residence, making it a necessity in the home.
Investing in a home backup generator is a great way to protect your family if you are stuck in a prolonged power outage. There are hundreds of options for different sizes of generators at various price points. No matter which generator you decide to use, at a high level there are two primary ways to connect your portable generator to your home. There are some other methods that are more technical like if you have a battery backup system, solar, etc. In the interest of simplicity, will stick to the use case most people are facing.
-
6/28/2024
-