The IET is carrying out some important updates between 17-30 April and all of our websites will be view only. For more information, read this Announcement

Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 94 replies
  • Subscribers 31 subscribers
  • Views 5790 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Installation of a generator for a house.

Tomgunn
Hello all,


I'm moving house, (been here for over 42 years'!!), and one of the first items on my mind is installing an electrical generator.


SO; I guess there will be contactors / switch gear etc as I would like it to be 'automatic', (OR, maybe 'manual' too), changing from incoming to the generator.


a; What would be the best type of generator to purchase? Load wise? I'm not too worried as the bigger the load the bigger the           generator would need to be as long as I could run the basics within the house.


b; What switch gear would be appropriate?


I would't fancy the idea of switching tails around on a Henley block each time I needed the generator to be in use!!


Thanks, in advance!


regards... Tom
Parents
  • 0
    Is this just for an odd power cut or are you hoping to go 'off grid'

    I presume it is rather remote as in most places it is not worth it.

    If you just want to keep the lights on and perhaps freezer and  a heating pump, you only need a few kW. If you are cooking and heating with gas that is fine, if however that sort of thing is electrical you may wish for more.


    Automatic transfer switches exist, examples - there are some very cheap ones  example  of doubtful reliability .

    You probably need to rewire into 2 consumer units - mains only circuits, and  the other for circuits supplied via the transfer of  mains with genset backup.

    If you will be on hand, manual change over is more reliable, and cheaper  this sort of thing


    Self starting gensets can be a pain - the starter batteries need to be kept on trickle, and stored fuel goes waxy over time, and tanks are a possible target for theft.

    Above a few kW consider diesel better than petrol or propane.

    Bur first decide what you really need it for, and how long it needs to run.

    M.


Reply
  • 0
    Is this just for an odd power cut or are you hoping to go 'off grid'

    I presume it is rather remote as in most places it is not worth it.

    If you just want to keep the lights on and perhaps freezer and  a heating pump, you only need a few kW. If you are cooking and heating with gas that is fine, if however that sort of thing is electrical you may wish for more.


    Automatic transfer switches exist, examples - there are some very cheap ones  example  of doubtful reliability .

    You probably need to rewire into 2 consumer units - mains only circuits, and  the other for circuits supplied via the transfer of  mains with genset backup.

    If you will be on hand, manual change over is more reliable, and cheaper  this sort of thing


    Self starting gensets can be a pain - the starter batteries need to be kept on trickle, and stored fuel goes waxy over time, and tanks are a possible target for theft.

    Above a few kW consider diesel better than petrol or propane.

    Bur first decide what you really need it for, and how long it needs to run.

    M.


Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines