Sunday, April 28, 2024

Electric Generator Definition, Working, Types, Components & Uses

portable generator for house

To calculate watts, multiply voltage (usually 120 volts) by the amps (amperage) required to run the appliance (usually found on a tag attached to the appliance). Neutral switching transfer switches are also referred to as three pole transfer switches. If you're powering appliances, tools, or other devices by plugging them directly into the standard outlets on the generator, the answer is no. These may power selected, critical circuits during a power outage, or may provide power for the whole home. Standby generators have systems that monitor power supplied by a utility and start automatically in the event of an outage.

Inverter generators

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The battery-powered Ego works indoors and eliminates a gas engine’s noise and hassles. It’s as strong as our gas-powered picks in power output, but it can’t match their run time, and its hours-long recharge times aren’t practical in a long-term outage. “There’s no need to go larger unless you want to be able to power more in a pinch and are comfortable with needing to keep more gas on hand,” Kollontai says. Some of the larger portable generators in our ratings can burn through about 20 gallons of gasoline per day. Most U.S. homes need at least 5,000 to 7,500 watts to cover minimum needs, so you’ll see standby generators offer nine to 20 kilowatts.

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Can a portable generator power a house?

portable generator for house

When we used an oscilloscope to look at the sine wave of the current generated, the curves were smooth and symmetrical, an indicator of “clean” power required by sensitive electronics. When we started and stopped things with bigger motors, like a table saw and air conditioner, the sine wave remained smooth. Running under these heavier loads, we measured the highest sound levels for the EU2200i at 81.2 decibels at the generator.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Backup Generators

Adding the propane option provides greater versatility, which can be helpful if you’re out in the wild or in the event of an emergency, and it also produces less harmful emissions. (We love it in our grills, so why not our generators?) Solar is an environmentally friendly, nearly silent fuel, but it relies on the availability of sunshine and can’t deliver the same level of wattage as fossil fuels. Of those in our best portable generator mid-price range tier, this portable conventional generator model offers the most wattage for the least money with 8,500 starting watts and 6,250 running watts. Though they’re both portable, inverter generators are a newer type of portable generators with newer technology, which makes them quieter and use less fuel. They are safer for your electronics, too, as they provide a higher quality electrical output. Keep in mind, though, that portable generators carry safety risks if you don’t use them properly.

GeneracCompanies

The most affordable model on our best portable generator list, the Sportsman GEN400DF has been on sale for just $300. This is a well-priced dual-fuel model that can operate with either a 3.6-gallon fuel tank or a standard propane tank. This rated watts information will be on a sticker inside your appliance or in the manufacturer's manual. If your appliance doesn't list watts, but lists amps and volts, multiply the two to find the wattage.

This figure appears both in number form and on an easy-to-read dial, as on a car’s speedometer. Beyond that, the app records overall engine hours and shows service reminders about oil changes, filter cleanings, and spark-plug replacement. It indicates whether the eco mode is on or off but offers you no way to control that function remotely.

It’s also useful for other extra power needs, such as during a camping or tailgating trip, or doing a home improvement project. High-end portable generators can cost between $800-$1,500, while smaller models can still set you back several hundred. We found switching between gasoline and propane to be simple, and the Champion 5,500 started equally well on either fuel. However, since propane doesn’t pack the same amount of energy as gasoline, the running and starting watts were slightly reduced.

For an alternative type of generator, consider solar generators, which run on solar panels, or electric generators. They’re lighter, quieter, cheaper, and better for the environment but not as powerful. You can also utilize a dual-fuel generator, which can run on either gasoline or liquified petroleum gas for added flexibility. The 5,500 Dual Fuel is a great option for emergency backup power, but it’s also good for job sites and bigger RVs and campers. Typical generators have varying degrees of distortion in the sine wave of the alternating current.

portable generator for house

Predator 9500-Watt Inverter Generator

The side handles on the BaseCharge double as ventilation and each generator comes with a 2-year warranty. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.

Traditional generators simply create AC power, but inverter generators create AC power, convert it to DC, and then change it back to AC—a process that produces cleaner power, which is necessary for sensitive electronics. Inverter generators tend to cost more than traditional generators of a similar size, but they’re also more fuel efficient. With gas or propane-fueled generators, you’ll almost always have the option to use a recoil cord and an electric starter, as it’s fairly standard for generators to come with both these days.

The company has been making outstanding generators for a long time, and the EU2200i is the perfect representation of how the brand manages to do a little bit of everything just right. The only down sides, according to Williams, is that they’re generally more expensive, due to the newer technology, and are not as robust as standard generators. More specifically, it can experience 1,000 charge cycles before reaching 80% capacity. Each charge can be stored for up to 36 months, but it’s recommended that you recharge every six months to prolong the life of your generator. On the generator, which is backed by a 2-year warranty and 1-year extended warranty, you’ll find an LED flashlight, DC input, DC output, carport, USB output, AC output, and LCD screen.

Though inverter-type generators are—like their standard cousins—typically portable, we group them separately because they’re significantly and technically different in terms of how they work. The Ego Power+ Nexus Power Station PST3042 is typically priced in line with a high-end generator, around $1,200 or about $100 more than the Honda EU2200i. A third option with four 5.0 Ah batteries, the PST3041, is also available and will have a slightly better run time. The batteries are covered by a three-year warranty, and the Power+ Nexus itself has a five-year warranty.

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