Can You Live Without an Emergency Generator?

Electricity is very important. We need electricityliving area of your home, television, furnace,
for communication, lights, entertainment, etc.refrigerator, sump pumps and water well pumps,
However, there are times when the power goesto name a few. Nevertheless, with this type of
off for extended periods due to ice, hurricanes,emergency generator, you have to remember
earthquakes, tornadoes and other naturalthat the device should be of the right size. Some
catastrophes. So what do we do then? How canelectrical motors in your home appliances and
big industries and corporations operate withoutequipment can be ruined or damaged if they do
electricity? Thanks to an emergency generator,not receive enough electrical current.
people now have backup power whenever thereTherefore, before you decide to buy a model of
is a black out.your choice, you have to determine first which
However, there is a variety of these devicesitems are needed in an emergency. This will help
available in the market. They can come inyou determine the total watts needed, which in
different sizes. So how do you find the right size?turn determines the right generator size that you
In finding out the correct size for this deviceneed. You can ask the help of an electrician to
depends on the power needed duringdetermine this or you can check with the
emergencies. One thing people need to know ismanufacturer.
that the more items on backup circuits, the biggerBecause the emergency generator produces
and more costly the generator is.electricity, as back up power, thus there is a
This device also comes in two types: permanentpossibility that electrical current from it may back
standby and the portable. So what is thefeed into the home's electrical system. This can
difference? The permanent standby model iscause damage or fire and can ruin equipment if it
installed as part of the electrical system. Itis not properly installed. So only, a qualified
provides power to the building wiring. It alsoelectrician should install it to your home electrical
contains an automatic switch that prevents thesystem. This will avoid the risk of damage and
generator from back feeding power into the utilityfire, as well as, prevent causing personal injury.
lines. This protects the generator from damageThese accidents can also be prevented by the
when power is restored. However, with this typeinstallation of a transfer switch. Some transfer
of emergency generator, you have to rememberswitches automatically trip to generator power if
to let a licensed electrician install the device. Thethere is a power failure. But some must be
city or country building department must alsoswitched manually.
inspect the switches and wiring. When theLastly, a safety precaution, an emergency
installation is complete, the local utility companygenerator must be run outdoors as they burn
should be notified a back up system is in place.fuel, which can cause fire. Generators are very
The second model type of this device is theimportant. However, people must be careful in
portable unit. This model is usually used whenchoosing the right type. In addition, they must
there are only a few vital electrical circuits arefollow the safety guidelines to avoid the risk of
needed. This is usually preferable for residentialdamage, fire and personal injury.
use. Circuits can be used for lights in the general