I believe a transfer switch is a requirement per the National Electric Code if you want to hook up a generator directly the your home mains. If anyone goes wrong you could be CRIMINALLY LIABLE, not only for causing a potential electrical fire, but to damage the power grid.
I suggest you consult an electrician from this point on for help. Also, transfer switches aren't that expensive when you're talking about electrical equipment to have in a house. They can cost up to 1000 dollars, potentially more, but that's only if you have a large number of circuits to connect. http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=371 On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 09:04, ah...clem <[email protected]> wrote: > we live in a rural area, and power outages occasionally last for > days. we have a generator for such situations, and i run all sorts of > electronics on them. BUT, you absolutely MUST have a high quality UPS > on any sensitive electronics, or you risk catastrophic failure. the > output of that generator is NOT a clean sine wave, nor is it > continuously constant voltage or frequency. a good UPS will correct > this. and BECAUSE you are running a mini, which does NOT have a > regulated power supply like a desktop and only has a simple rectified > transformer PS, it will be particularly vulnerable. anyone who says > otherwise thinks they know a lot more than they actually know. also, > how do you plan to connect your computer to the generator? will you > put the generator outside and run an extension cord in thru a door or > window? generators are quite noisy, and an open window, even a > crack, will let a lot of cold air in. if you wire it thru the main > service entrance of your house, 800 W is certainly not enough to power > the devices that will come on automatically, like the refrigerator, > furnace, etc. when those kick on automatically, they will overload > the 800 W generator and burn it out. > > i suggest that you go the whole 9 yards and get a minimum of 5000 W > generator, and wire it thru the main service entrance, so you can also > have heat and refrigeration, etc, during the power outages. but you > must arrange it so that you can disconnect from the power grid while > the generator is connected, otherwise when the power comes back on, it > will almost certainly be out-of-phase with the generator, and cause > the generator to fry. it's not that difficult to do, just add a 50 > Amp dual breaker to the box and wire the output of the generator IN > thru that breaker, making sure that the MAIN breaker is off, before > you connect the generator. you could also spend several thousand > dollars on a device that does this automatically, but if you can > understand how to use a computer, you should be able to handle > throwing a couple of switches in the correct sequence. then when > there is a power outage and you disconnect from the grid to run your > generator, simply phone the power company and request a courtesy call > to let you know when the power is restored, at which time you will > first disconnect the generator and then turn the MAIN breaker back on. > > > On Oct 29, 4:44 pm, Cliff Rediger <[email protected]> wrote: >> We live in a rural area where power outages occur commonly. >> I just purchased a 800 Rated Watts/900 Max Watts Portable Chicago >> Electric Generators >> >> http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-g... >> >> in hopes of having back up power to run our WiFi ISP antenna, >> computers and a light or two. >> But, then I seem recalling that there are possible issues in the type >> of power a generator provides and the type computers like to receive. >> >> Comments and advice appreciated. >> >> Cliff > > -- > You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for > those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power > Macs. > The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette > guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list > -- " ' With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.' Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning... The first time any man's freedom is trodden on we’re all damaged." - Jean-Luc Picard, quoting Judge Aaron Satie, Star Trek: TNG episode "The Drumhead" - Alex Smith (K4RNT) - Murfreesboro, Tennessee USA -- You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list
