Generators

Presentation by
Scott Martin
 Considerations for Selecting &
Sizing A Backup Generator

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 Power Output Quality

z All Generators are NOT Created Equal

z AC Power is represented as a sine wave. The smoother

the curve, the more stable the power.
Utility Power = 120/240V, 60 Hz, Sine Wave

z Voltage Regulation Method Determines Power Output Quality

z Fluctuations in power can cause equipment to shut down or even

damage the appliance.

z More of an issue with portable generators

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 Voltage Regulation Methods

There are several different ways to regulate the voltage on a

generator:

• Brushless

Brushless generators are among the most common

in the industry because of their inexpensive construction,
but have the least reliable voltage control. Brushless generators
can't react to a changing load, either producing low power (a
brownout) or high power. Fluctuations of this nature can cause
equipment damage.
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 Voltage Regulation Methods

• AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator)

Many generators feature an Automatic

Voltage Regulator, or AVR, designed to consistently
control voltage. The AVR keeps the output voltage
more constant, regardless of the load. This means no
spikes or brownouts.

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 Voltage Regulation Methods

• CycloConverter

Honda's patented CycloConverter

technology allows you to get cleaner power
with less weight. The CycloConverter offers
the benefits of AVR-type generators at a
lower size and weight.

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 Voltage Regulation Methods

• Inverter

Inverters produce the cleanest power of all.

These units are ideal for sensitive electronics, such
as computers.

Inverter generators offer a number of other benefits, including less

noise, lower weight, and greater fuel efficiency as compared to
traditional models.

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 Portable vs Stationary

z Is Natural Gas or Propane available at the site?

z If not what would the cost be to install Propane

Tanks? Is that acceptable to you?

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 Portable vs Stationary

Portable
• Less expensive than Stationary models
• Unit is Portable and may be used for other purposes in other
locations
• Must Wheel Outside and Setup During Power Outage
• Fill with Gasoline
• Manual Transfer Switch
• Manual Start (some have remote start)
• Manually Connect to House
• Fuel Storage Issues
• Refueling/Runtime Issues
• Lower power ratings than Stationary models
8 • Power Quality Issues more likely than with Stationary models
 Portable vs Stationary

Stationary
• More expensive than portable models
• Need Suitable Permanent Location Outside House
• Automatic Self Test
• Automatic Transfer Switch
• Automatic Startup during power outage
• No Fuel Storage Issues
• No Refueling/Runtime Issues
• Less likely to have power quality issues
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 Connecting the Generator to
Your Home

z Improper connection can pose safety issues for line

workers and may damage your equipment
z Back Feeding 240V Dryer Plug (not recommended)
z Extension Cords – Limits which appliances can be
powered and can be a tripping hazard. Must also
leave a door or window open for cord to pass
through.

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 Connecting the Generator to
Your Home

• Install a Transfer Switch

A transfer switch is a sub-panel to which you can
wire the appliance circuits you wish to power
with your generator during a utility outage.
With a transfer switch you can power hard-wired
loads such as your furnace or well pump.
There are both Manual and Automatic Transfer
Switches.
A transfer switch should be installed by a
licensed electrician.
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 Connecting the Generator to
Your Home

• Manual Transfer Switches

Less Expensive/Less Convenient
Manual Transfer from Utility Power
to Generator Power by throwing a
switch
Manual Connection of Generator
Manual Load Management

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 Connecting the Generator to
Your Home

• Automatic/Intelligent Transfer Switches

More expensive/More Convenient
Automatic Transfer from Utility to Generator and
Back Again when Power is Restored
Some Models like this APC Universal Transfer
Switch offer Intelligent Automatic Load
Management and allow you to Prioritize Your
Loads
This model can also be used with a second
power source such as Wind or Solar Electric
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 Generator Sizing

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 Determine your Critical Loads and
Their Power Requirements

Furnace/Boiler Refrigerator Radio/Television

Well Pump Microwave Garage Door Openers

Water Heater 3 or 4 Lights Sump Pump

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 Create a Loads List

Device Real Power (W) Apparent Power (VA) Power Factor Surge 3x
Furnace Motor
Wood Pellet Stove
Well Pump
Electric Water Heater
Sump Pump
Refrigerator
Microwave
Radio
LCD Television
Garage Door Openers
Washing Machine
60 Watt Incandescent
15 Watt CFL
Desktop PC
16 Laptop PC
 Use a Power Meter to Measure
Appliance Power Requirements

Kill A Watt P4300 * Kill A Watt P4460 EZ Watts Up Pro

z Can measure 120 Volt Loads up to approximately 15 A
z To measure hard wired appliances use a whole house electrical monitor like The
Energy Detective (T.E.D.), eMonitor or Blue Line Innovation’s Power Cost Monitor.
z Nameplate ratings on motors or appliances, or appliance power estimation charts
may also be used to estimate power requirements, but actual measurements are
17 preferred whenever possible.
 Enter Appliance Power
Measurements in Loads List

Device Real Power (W) Apparent Power (VA) Power Factor Surge 3x
Furnace Motor 3x
Wood Pellet Stove 100 197 0.51
Well Pump 3x
Electric Water Heater 4500 4500 1
Sump Pump
Refrigerator 163 176 0.93 3x
Microwave 1200
Radio 4 6 0.67
LCD Television 57 59 0.97
Garage Door Openers
Washing Machine 500 1000 0.50
60 Watt Incandescent 60 60 1.00
15 Watt CFL 15 22 0.68
Desktop PC 93 99 0.94
18 Laptop PC 22 25 0.88
 Understanding Power Measurements
Watts (W), Volt Amps (VA) and Power Factor (PF)

Power Factor =
Real Power (Watts) / Apparent Power (Volt-Amps)

Resistive Loads - Power Factor = 1

Inductive Loads - Power Factor < 1

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 Example of a Resistive Load

60 Watt Incandescent Bulb

P3 Kill A Watt Measures 60 Watts, 60 Volt Amps

Power Factor = 60 Watts / 60 Volt Amps = 1

Current Draw on Generator =

60 Volt Amps / 120V = .5 Amps

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 Example #1 of an Inductive Load

Wood Pellet Stove

P3 Kill A Watt Measures 100 Watts, 197 Volt Amps

Power Factor = 100 Watts / 197 Volt Amps = .51

Current Draw on Generator =

197 Volt Amps / 120V = 1.64 Amps

NOT
100 Watts / 120V = .83 Amps
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 Example #2 of an Inductive Load

Washing Machine

P3 Kill A Watt Measures 500 Watts, 1000 Volt Amps

Power Factor = 500 Watts / 1000 Volt Amps = .50

Current Draw on Generator =

1000 Volt Amps / 120V = 8.33 Amps

NOT
500 Watts / 120V = 4.17 Amps
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 Power Measurement Summary

z Use Volt Amp rather than Watt Measurement when

Estimating Loads
z Measure Loads Whenever Possible
z Use Appliance Tag or Contact the Manufacturer
when Measurement is not possible
z Applying a Power Factor of .85 to a Group of Loads
is a Reasonable Rule of Thumb
i.e. Total Watts / .85 = Estimated Total Volt Amps
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 Environmental Factors

• Elevation
A generator’s power rating is based on its operation at sea
level. Generator engine power decreases as altitude increases
(thinner air), and the generators maximum electrical output
drops accordingly.
A power loss of about 3.5% per 1,000 feet of elevation gain is
typical for gasoline-, diesel-, or propane-fueled generators
Natural gas-fueled generators may suffer a power loss of about
5% per 1,000 feet.
Additionally, the generator’s carburetor may need to be
modified for high-altitude operation, even to achieve the
reduced power rating.
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 Environmental Factors

• Temperature
Ambient temperature is a related complication, as typical power derating is about 1
to 2% for each 10°F above its nominal rating.
Combining the conditions of high altitude and high temperature may require
specifying a generator with a higher continuous rating.
For example, say you’re in Denver, Colorado (elev. 5,000 ft.), and need a propane
generator to deliver 4,300 VA during the summer days with temperatures at 90°F.
Compensating for altitude would result in a 17.5% loss. (3.5% x 5 = 17.5%)
If a generator’s “full” power specification is based on an ambient temperature of
60°F, then available output can be expected to decrease by about 3% at 90°F
[(90°F - 60°F) × 1% ÷ 10°F].
So the actual rating needed would be about 5,400 VA.
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 Surges

Generator power specifications also emphasize their “Surge”

capacity, or the VA that can be delivered for 30 minutes or less.
The Surge Rating is typically about 20% higher than a generator’s
continuous VA rating.
For Example: A 5,400 VA requirement may necessitate a generator
with a surge rating of about 6,500 VA.
This surge capacity is useful when starting motorized loads, whose
start-up surge current is often several times the normal running
current specification. So even starting with a 3,600 W load, it’s not
unusual to need a generator rated for at least 6,500 VA, especially if
the loads have low power factors and are operated at high elevation.

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 Summary

Understanding how to accurately estimate power

requirements, accounting for environmental factors, and
understanding generator ratings can help ensure that a
generator can provide the power needed for your
essential loads. A little up-front research and a few
simple calculations will save you money (and
headaches) in the long run and ensure that you make
an educated purchase.
Cost vs Convenience

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