A portable generator is so handy during a power outage, and you should use it during a power outage.
The power meter on your home will stop and have a blank screen when the power is out. When the power comes back on, the display will light back up. This is one simple way to see if the power has been restored to your home. You could also have a light connected to an outlet that is not attached to the generator and you will see it turn on when the power is restored.
Unless your generator is a professionally installed backup generator, you will need to turn it off manually when the power is restored.
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How is a Generator Connected?
In the United States there are laws regulating how a generator can be connected to your home. There are safety features that do not allow the generator and grid power to be connected at the same time.
You may choose to simply run appliances off a generator with extension cords or you can connect your portable generator to the breaker box in your home.
If you connect directly to the breaker box the generator must be connected to a manual override, interlock switch or transfer switch. This will keep the power from coming to your breaker box while your generator is running.
These switches require the user to disconnect main power to the breaker before attaching the breaker to the generator.
This protects your home electrical system and the power grid. Improperly installed generators can cause injury to a lineman who is working to restore power and can cause an electrical fire in your home.
If you do not have a manual override switch, you can usually install it yourself. This helpful video can give you step-by-step instructions:
How to Determine If the Power Is Back Up
Since you will be running your home with your generator, you may not know when the power comes back online.
Digital power meters will go blank when the power is out and the display will come back on when the power is restored. You can check this meter to see if the power has been restored. It is also possible to attach a light fixture like a lamp to a circuit that is not connected to the generator. It will turn on when the power is restored.
Be careful to connect your generator safely to your grid. If you are unsure how you want to connect the generator, head to the hardware store and get some opinions.
You can hire an electrician to install the transfer switch and ask them to install the buzzer that will let you know when power has been restored.
These buzzers are connected to the breaker box and will buzz when the power comes back on.
A properly installed generator feeds power to your home when the grid power is on. Unless you have a dedicated backup generator you will need to turn off the connection to the main power and turn on the generator.
When to Turn Off A Generator After a Power Outage
When you know the power has come back on, it is safe to turn it off and reconnect to the power grid. Be sure that you are disconnecting your generator while the power is still turned off to your home. The generator and the grid power should never be connected at the same time.
It is possible that you will lose and regain power a few times before it fully comes back on. If you are running important equipment that could be damaged by power surges, keep running your generator until the power has been fully restored.
If you are unsure, you can call your power company who can often share details of the repair work. They can not predict future outages, but it can help you get a better understanding of the cause of the outage.
As a reminder, be sure that your generator is never connected to the grid. This can cause injury to workers who are working on what they assume to be deadlines that may now be electrified by your generator.
What Happens to A Portable Generator When the Power Comes Back On?
When the power comes back on a properly connected generator will not be affected. If you are using a portable generator with extension cords you will notice the power come back to other parts of the home, but the generator will continue to power any connected devices.
Portable generators should be connected to your home through a transfer switch or generator. They may run every circuit on the breaker or just the priority systems like the refrigerator or the air conditioning.
When the power goes out and the generator is turned on, the circuits that are connected to the generator will not be connected to grid power until it is manually switched.
Both of these connection systems have safety features that make it impossible to turn both power sources on at the same time.
A whole house dedicated generator is wired to the home to automatically switch over to backup power when the power grid goes down. Those generators do not need to be manually turned on or off.
Will My Generator Turn Off When The Power Comes Back On?
Portable generators will not turn off automatically when the power comes back on. The generator will need to be turned off manually before you reconnect your home to the grid power.
You should be careful when connecting and disconnecting your generator. There are many illegal “hack” ways to connect a generator, but they are not worth the risk.
Generators that are improperly connected can not only cause damage to the electrical system in your home, they can send power back to the grid causing harm to the lineman who are working to repair the damage that caused a power outage.
In areas that have been affected by widespread disasters, it is unfortunately common for lineman working on power lines to be electrocuted by lines that are being electrified by personal backup generators.
If you are unsure how to hook up your generator, refer to your user’s manual, hire an electrician or call the power company before turning on your generator.
Final Thoughts
Everyone should have a generator that can help keep them going in a power outage.
You should know how to connect your generator to your circuit breaker, and you should practice switching from grid power to generator power when the weather is good.
If you find you have a problem, it will be much easier to get help when you are not in the middle of a power outage.
My parents recently spent a week without power, and my electrician dad spent the whole time helping the elderly neighbors connect their generators.
The parts needed to connect safely were sold out for miles in all directions.
Be sure you are set up to use your generator soon after you buy it and be sure to perform regular maintenance like oil changes, air filter replacements, and fuel filters on your portable generator.
I always recommend solar generators that work differently and do not require fuel to keep your lights on.
I know my parents were driving in the icy conditions of the storm to get gas every day.
