Be Prepared with Emergency Office Power

By CE Contributing Authors September 3, 2014 View Profile

Backup Power Preparedness Starts with a Flip of the Switch

By Sara Pines

In addition to high temperatures this summer, many areas of the country continue to face damaging weather events, including severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. And let’s not forget that the peak of hurricane season is right around the corner. Even though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted the 2014 hurricane season will likely be near or below average, many coastal residents in the United States may be turning to generators for backup power emergencies.

When it comes to summer storms and lengthy power outages, offices on commercial jobsites are not immune. Keeping the lights on and the computers running is an important part of construction job oversight for administrative staffs — and that means having the right portable generator at the ready. According to the experts at Honda Power Equipment, which produces both dependable, commercial, home and recreational generators, getting the most from a portable generator requires some simple planning. Preparation and knowing your needs and budget are critical.

“Since generators have a broad wattage output range, both a contractor and a homeowner must understand electrical requirements and estimate real emergency needs,” explains Tom Pernice, generator marketing manager with Honda Power Equipment. “Refrigerators or freezers operate on about 700 watts, but require as much as 2,200 watts to start. A computer draws 600 to 800 watts. So, it could take a 2,500-watt generator to run a refrigerator, minimal lighting and a computer or TV.”

More important, a generator must be operated outside and never be plugged into a standard outlet. “A safe connection starts with a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician,” advises Pernice. “The switch cuts off the utility power while the generator operates and powers only selected appliances.” When utility power is restored, the generator and transfer switch are disconnected so that the two power sources do not collide.

Choosing the Best Generator for the Job

There are a number of important things to consider when selecting a generator. Generators are used to perform a wide variety of tasks, and companies like Honda offer a broad range of models to suit almost all potential users. Gas generators specifically provide a high-quality power source that is reliable and convenient for myriad applications:

 Camping, recreation and boating
 Home standby
 Construction rental

Finding the right generator (in this case, a gas-powered unit) will entail a few questions. How quiet does your generator need to be? Good generators are known for quiet operation. Is electric start required? Many manufacturers offer models with the convenience of electric start for applications that may require remote start or where the ease of electric start is preferred. Do you require easy transport? While all “portable generators” are portable by definition, many models include standard wheel kits for easy movement of the generator from storage to the worksite. Consider the options when selecting the right model for your application.

How much power will you need? Generators produce AC voltage, very similar to the voltage available in your home, however, while your electric utility company produces sufficient power for all your electric powered devices, a portable generator is limited in power output directly relational to the engine horsepower. The amount of power that a generator can produce is rated in watts. Rated power is generally 90 percent of maximum power because certain components lose efficiency as they are heated from use.

To determine wattage requirements, select which devices need to be powered simultaneously and what the starting requirement of the device is. A wattage calculator is provided to assist you. Remember that with simple power management techniques, a small generator can provide adequate power for home or recreational applications.

Maximum and Rated Power

A generator should never be operated at its maximum power output for more than 30 minutes. Rated power, or the power that a generator can produce for long periods of time, is a more reliable measure of generator power. Typically the rated power is 90 percent of the maximum power. For example, a 2,500-watt generator produces a maximum 2,500 watts of power. This means at maximum power this generator could light up 25 100-watt light bulbs at the same time. The rated wattage of this generator would be 2,300 watts and should only be used to power 23 100-watt light bulbs.

When considering your power needs, first determine the highest power application such as an air conditioner for the job trailer. The power required to start the capacitor motor will determine the rated power of the generator you should choose for your application. A portable generator won’t replace all of the electricity provided by the public utility, but it can make life safer and more comfortable and keep critical work applications running until power is restored. More information, including wattage calculators, is available at powerequipment.honda.com/generators.