Standby Generators

Backup Generators

Automatic Standby Generators start moments after the power goes out. When an outage hits, backup generators detect the outage and begin supplying power within seconds to the home or business.

Transfer to standby generator power is automatic—backup generators make a permanent connection to a building's electrical system through an Automatic Transfer Switch. The ATS isolates the electrical system from the utility lines before it connects power from the home backup generator. When the utility company restores service, the transfer switch reconnects the building to the electric utility and the standby generator begins a shutdown cooling cycle.

Understanding Standby Generators

Home Standby Generators

Standby generators fall into two main categories: Air Cooled and Liquid Cooled. Most home backup generators fall into the air-cooled category. The smaller air-cooled engine requires less cooling but delivers up to 24 kilowatts of continuous power. Enough to power most mid-size to large homes with central air conditioners, pumps, refrigerators and freezers, computers and televisions, and lighting.

Larger home and estates require additional power from higher capacity liquid-cooled backup generators. In hot climates including the desert Southwest, liquid-cooled standby generators experience fewer heat-related cooling faults. The additional power in a hot climate can run multiple air-conditioners at the same time when temperatures climb into the triple digits.

The best home backup generators meet the needs of the home and family. Standby home generators range in capacity from 7 kilowatts to 24 kilowatts for air-cooled engines, and 15 kilowatts to 60 kilowatts or more for liquid-cooled generators. Some estates may need the power of a commercial generator from 60kW to150kW.

Standby Generators for Business

Business shutdowns during an outage translate into lost revenue and productivity. A closed business may lose customers to another business that stays open during an outage—especially if the outage lasts more than a few hours.

Liquid-Cooled Backup Generators offer more power and a higher degree of reliability in hot climates where forced air cannot cool an engine as efficiently as a radiator and coolant. Commercial Standby Generators range from 22kW to 150kW. Most run on natural gas or propane. Diesel is another option for liquid-cooled backup generators.