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What is an Automatic Standby Generator?

By Dave Rongey ©2008 Dave Rongey

Summary: Lets look at what makes an automatic standby generator special when it comes to your choice of home generators.

A basic home generator system comes pre-packaged, pre-wired systems make installation fast, easy and so affordable, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner!

The kilowatt ratings that are listed should be the kilowatt ratings you get. Be very careful that some brands only cover a percentage of the standby loads, but a good quality home generator covers the entire load, for the full duration of the power outage.

See how typical home electric generator systems compare:

7KW	10KW	13KW	16KW
7,000 Watts Circuits: 8 410cc OHVI® Engine	10,000 Watts Circuits: 10 Electronic Governor 530cc OHVI® Engine	13,000 Watts Circuits: 12 Electronic Governor 992cc OHVI® Engine	16,000 Watts Circuits: 16 Electronic Governor 992cc OHVI® Engine
Automatic Transfer Switch with 8 Circuits Included	Automatic Transfer Switch with 10 Circuits Included	Automatic Transfer Switch with 12 Circuits Included	Automatic Transfer Switch with 16 Circuits Included

Download: FREE Generator Specification Sheet

GOOD QUALITY GENERATOR SYSTEMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
• Automatic Transfer Switch With Built-In Emergency Load Center
• Electronic Governor (10kW and 13kW)
• Pre-wired External Connection Box
• Flexible Fuel Line Pigtail
• Composite Mounting Pad
• Pre-wired conduits
• Natural Gas or LP Gas Operation
• UL 2200 Listed

ELECTRIC GENERATOR FEATURES:
Total commitment to component testing, reliability testing, environmental testing, destruction and life testing, plus testing to applicable CSA, NEMA, EGSA, and other standards, allows you to choose a quality home generator system with the confidence that the system will provide superior performance.

HOME GENERATOR TEST CRITERIA:
PROTOTYPE TESTED
SYSTEM TORSIONAL TESTED
NEMA MG1-22 EVALUATION
MOTOR STARTING ABILITY

SOLID-STATE, FREQUENCY COMPENSATED VOLTAGE REGULATION.
This state-of-the-art power maximizing regulation system is standard on
all quality brand models. They provide optimized FAST RESPONSE to changing
load conditions and MAXIMUM MOTOR STARTING CAPABILITY by
electronically torque-matching the surge loads to the engine.

SINGLE SOURCE SERVICE RESPONSE from the generator dealer network
provides parts and service know-how for the entire unit, from the engine
to the smallest electronic component. You are never on your own when
you select a good quality home generator system.

AUTOMATIC GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCHES:
Long life and reliability will be synonymous with a quality generator system.
One quality characteristic will be a product line which includes its own transfer
systems and controls for total system compatibility.

A quality home generator system will be UL Listed.

Good features to look for in quality home generator Sets:

Electrical generator controls:


Automatic Generator Transfer Switches:


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