If you experience frequent power outages, or your area is susceptible to severe weather, a transfer switch can help you safely power your home or business using a portable generator. Portable generators can provide comfort, safety and security during power outages and emergencies, and can be installed temporarily during these situations. A portable generator must be connected properly to protect supply company workers, family members and property. Improper connection of your portable generator and transfer switch system could void your homeowner's insurance in case of accident or injury.
A manual transfer switch is the key to safe and convenient operation of portable generators for standby power. By isolating those circuits using generator power, a transfer switch eliminates the risk of backfeeding the electrical utility, which can cause injury to workers and property damage.
By installing a transfer switch at your breaker box and connecting a portable generator to the transfer switch, you can run selected circuits for appliances such as a furnace, well pump sump pump, refrigerator, television, computer, printer or lighting circuit during a power outage, depending on the capacity of your generator. Since many portable generators cannot handle all of these loads at the same time, the transfer switch allows you to manually transfer each of these loads separately whenever you need them.
Determining which circuits you will require during a power outage is the first step in selecting the proper wattage generator and transfer switch. Since most home appliances operate intermittently, a 3000 watt generator can provide adequate power to circuits for the most common appliances, such as lights, refrigerator, freezer, microwave oven, and TV.
If your home has a deep well pump with up to 1 HP motor, a 5000 watt generator will be required to provide the starting capacity for the pump. Larger wattage units can be selected for simultaneous starting ands operation of multiple appliances. Contact Genpro for recommendations on the best model to meet your needs.

Electrical Appliances

Various electrical applications have very different power requirements, so it is essential to understand each particular need. For example TV sets, stoves, kettles and filament lamps have resistive loads, this means that their start up and operating currents are virtually the same - and as stated on the manufactured descriptive plate.
  Fluorescent lamps (on average) require approx. 1.5 times their stated wattage to start up. Hand tools with universal type motors need an extra 5% added to their stated power consumption. A universal type motor has brushes running on a commuter - the slotted segments on which the brushes run, normally visible through the ventilation slots.
  Refrigeration, vacuum cleaners, and freezers usually employ induction type motors. These motors do NOT have a commuter (although there may be brushes) and may have an external capacitor. Their start up current can be as much as FIVE times the normal running requirement: check the descriptive plate carefully. Note that if (for example) a refrigerator's stated power requirement is 200 watts, the power required to start the refrigeration unit each time is approx. 1000 watts. If in doubt check with the appliance manufacturer.
  Microwave ovens are often referred to by their cooking power, which on average is only HALF their actual operating power consumption. However, switching on the oven consumes an extra 25% power as the capacitor is energised. Thus, a normal 600 watt oven actually needs 1500 watts to operate it.

Generator Safety

Black outs, rolling brownouts, what are the options? There is no quick fix to the situation facing many areas of the country as power demand continues to outpace the available resources.
Many homeowners are investing in small output portable generators for recreational and other uses and are now adapting them for use as temporary home power. This versatility is one of the many advantages of portable generators, however everyone should consider how to safely apply the power from the portable generator in a residential situation.
While portable power is ideally distributed through a professionally installed transfer switch, homeowners can easily and safely use a smaller output portable generator to power essential home appliances. There are several safety considerations anyone using a generator should be aware of when powering home appliances. Always read the owners manual before operating your portable generator for back up power.
Never operate an internal combustion engine inside your home, basement, garage or any other enclosed area. The generator needs a minimum of 1.2 metres of spacing on all sides (including the top). A generator needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation. Properly locate the generator outdoors away from doors and windows. An open door or window will allow dangerous exhaust fumes to enter the building. Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be lethal, good ventilation is critical. Keep the generator dry and always operate it on a level surface. Never add fuel to your generator when it is running and always store additional fuel in approved containers.
It is very important that you never feed power from your portable generator into a wall outlet. This is commonly called back feeding and causes several safety concerns. This causes a very dangerous situation as power back feeds into the ESKOM lines and can cause severe injury or death to linemen working on power lines. In addition when ESKOM restores power it can feed directly into your generator causing severe damage to your portable generator.
The safe application of power to your home is achieved simply by using a quality extension cord and surge protected power strip from the generator directly to the appliance that you want to power. Using a power requirement chart you can determine which appliances can be powered safely. During power outages the main concern is for powering sufficient light for the safety of your family. If power is out for several hours you will want to power your refrigerator and freezer to insure that no food spoilage occurs. Remember that it is not necessary to continually power these appliances if your generator has a small power output. Power management will allow you to utilize a small generator to power several appliances safely.
Portable generators over 2000 watts can be used to power microwave ovens, as well as toaster ovens, and other 220V electrical cooking devices, for meal preparation.
Once you master the art of "Power Management" you will discover that a small portable generator can safely provide many of the conveniences you count on everyday. And when the power comes back on you will be able to take and use your generator for many other applications around the home you may never have thought of.

Operating your generator

For proper operation of your generator, make sure that it is placed in an open space. Proper ventilation is vital to its use and your safety. Also keep the generator dry. The generator should be placed on a firm, level surface as well.
Don’t forget to run (exercise) your generator at least once a month. This accomplishes a couple of things. It lubricates the engine by circulating oil, it runs fresh fuel through the carburettor and it works to recharge the battery. All of these things help to ensure that the generator will start when you really need it in an emergency.

To Operate your Generator:
Check the fuel level before starting the generator.
Consult Genpro for the correct fuel type to use in your Generator.
Never use stale or contaminated fuel or an oil/gas mixture. Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.
Be sure to refuel when the engine is off and in a well-ventilated area.Petrol is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain conditions. Do not over fill, and make sure that any spilled fuel has been wiped off before starting the generator.
The fuel tank cap vents the tank, so be sure to store your generator in a well-ventilated area. For example, don’t store the generator below the deck of a boat because gasoline fumes can collect and ignite.
Check the oil level and air filter.
Make sure the voltage selector is where it needs to be (240v).
Move the generator outside.
Make sure the system is grounded according to local regulations. See local electrician.
Connect the transfer switch if powering a house.
Connect the power cord to the generator.
Turn the circuit breaker off before starting the generator. Then allow the generator the warm up before turning the circuit breaker on.

To Stop your Generator:

Turn the circuit breaker off.
Turn the engine switch off.
Turn the fuel valve off.

Transporting and Storing your Generator

When transporting or storing the generator, be sure to turn the fuel valve OFF. If left on, petrol may get into the engine crankcase and dilute the engine oil, thus reducing the lubrication properties of the oil and causing severe engine damage.
If you are going to store your generator for more than 2 months, drain the fuel from the carburettor float bowl, drain the fuel from the sediment cup, and then add the correct proportion of fuel conditioner to the tank and top it off.

Altitude and Temperature effects:

Power Adjustment for Ambient Conditions:
Temperature, Altitude and Elevation can affect your generator power performance output. Use the following calculation adjustment factors to figure your generator power needs.

Temperature: Celsius: - 3% for every 10° C above 25°

Altitude: metres: - 3% for every 300 m above 913 m

Altitude Note: All generators give less performance at higher altitudes. Reduce the power rating on the label of the generator by 1% for every 300 metres you are above sea level, 3% for every 300 metres. above 913 metres.