CDA Offers Portable Electric Power Tips and Tricks.NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of -- A portable or backup power An additional power source that can be used in the event of power failure. See UPS and backup.  A Half Minute of Backup This roomful of lead acid batteries stands ready to drain itself entirely in less than a minute. generator is a handy household utility that has been growing in popularity among homeowners in recent years, says the Copper Development Association. Manufacturers are producing quiet, lightweight models that are convenient for recreation and emergencies. Here are some tips compiled by CDA (1) (Compact Disc Audio) The compact disc file extension that is seen on the computer in Explorer or some other file manager. CDA files are actually pointers to the locations of the individual tracks on the CD medium. See CD-DA. for buying and using power generators at home. Safety First! The power source for an electric generator is an internal combustion engine Internal combustion engine A prime mover, the fuel for which is burned within the engine, as contrasted to a steam engine, for example, in which fuel is burned in a separate furnace. running on fossil fuel fossil fuel: see energy, sources of; fuel. fossil fuel Any of a class of materials of biologic origin occurring within the Earth's crust that can be used as a source of energy. Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. . It should be operated outdoors well away from open windows, just as one would operate any engine. Provisions should be made for safe storage and handling of fuel. Electrical connections An electrical connection between discrete points allows the flow of electrons, (current). A pair of connections is needed for a circuit. Between points with a low voltage difference between them, direct current flow can be controlled by a switch. should be installed in accordance with local electrical codes An electrical code is a set of regulations for electrical wiring. The intention of an electrical code is to provide standards to ensure electrical wiring systems that are safe and unlikely to produce either electrocution or fires. and manufacturers' recommendations. Use the generator only for those purposes for which it was designed. Transfer Switch To feed backup power through your home's circuit-breaker panel, the safest way is to have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch. With a transfer switch, electricity can be distributed safely to the power outlets of your home, instead of relying on long extension cords. It also avoids the danger of sending your backup power back up the utility's transmission lines and may avoid a shock hazard. Never attempt to power the circuit-breaker box from an extension cord, and never plug the generator into an outlet! Right-Size Your Generator There are many sizes and types of generators. A few factors to consider are quietness, fuel capacity, portability (size and weight), type of power (AC or DC), cleanness of the power (power quality) and power output. Truly portable generators typically are rated for only 1,000 to 1,500 watts. These generators weigh only 30 to 50 pounds, not including fuel, and some can be carried like a suitcase. They are perfect for providing power during camping trips, recreational activities or outdoor community gatherings to power devices you would plug into one outlet, but they are inadequate for backup power throughout a home. Mid-size generators typically output 3,000 to 6,000 watts. They are mounted on carts with wheels and can weigh several hundred pounds. Fuel tanks typically hold four to six gallons, which can last 8 to 15 hours depending on the power load. Some homeowners want uninterrupted power at high output levels in the event of an emergency. Large generators are often powered by natural gas and installed on a concrete pad. An overloaded o·ver·load tr.v. o·ver·load·ed, o·ver·load·ing, o·ver·loads To load too heavily. n. An excessive load. Adj. 1. generator can be worse than no generator. Generator output should be carefully compared with the loads. It is also important to properly size any extension cords in use with a generator. In summary, generators should be right-sized according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. needs, with 3 to 8 kilowatts typically a minimum for household use. For more safety tips, see www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.html or www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/co/generator.shtm. For more information on specific brands of generators, you can search the Internet using combinations of the following keywords: household, backup, standby standby Medtalk adjective Referring to the immediate availability of a certain specialist–anesthesiologist, surgeon, who can be deployed in a medical emergency. Cf Concurrent. , generator and brands. For general information about copper for building wire and power quality, visit www.copper.org. The Copper Development Association is the information, education, market and technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA. The above story is available for downloading from http://www.homeplanningnews.com/currentissue.html |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion