At Norwall PowerSystems, our customers count on us to help provide accurate and informative answers to all generator related questions. This results in many questions a day, so we gathered some of the more popular questions and answered them in one place so they are easier to locate.
Here are a couple common and frequently asked questions about standby generators.
What Brands Do You Carry?
We carry a wide selection of different industry-leading brands like Briggs & Stratton, Champion, Cummins, Esco, Gen-Tran, Generac, IPI, Kubota, Onan, Pelsue, Powermate, Tiny-Tach, Westinghouse and Kohler Generators.
You can find a full list of all the different brands and models we carry in our inventory.
Does My Generator Have to Be Maintained?
Only if you want it to last long! Monthly maintenance checks are simple, visual and highly recommended, even during the warranty period. Generators are engines and engines are tricky machines that require periodic oil and filter changes to maximize performance for years of reliable service. Refer to your model’s owner manual for warranty and maintenance information.
Can the Voltage of a Machine I Own Be Modified to Meet My Needs?
Generator ends are designed to be ‘reconnectable’ or ‘non-reconnectable’. If your particular machine is designated as ‘reconnectable’ then the voltage can be changed to suit your specific needs. Conversely, if it is marked ‘non-reconnectable’, you cannot modify the voltage of that engine.
What Does an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Do?
An automatic transfer switch is installed in a home and is the bridge between your utility company, your standby generator and the alternative source of energy. When the automatic transfer switch detects a lull or stop in the flow of power, it will kick the generator on and switch to the alternate source, ie natural gas. Once the utility power kicks back in, the automatic transfer switch will notice, shut off the alternative fuel, generator and begin supplying your home with traditional grid-based power.
How Do I Know What Size Generator I Need to Power My Whole House?
Getting a generator that’s specified for all of your power needs is one of, if not the most, absolutely essential stages in purchasing a standby generator. Whether you are interested in portable or standby power, if the generator you bought doesn’t have the wattage output to meet your specific requirements, you just wasted a lot of money and potentially put your home and appliances at risk. You never want to attach an ill-equipped power source to too many appliances, it will cause undue stress on the unit and may damage the devices connected to it.
Use Norwall’s Power Calculator to get an estimate of just how much electrical output you need to keep your whole house powered!