Updated 3/18/2025
Power outages can be an annoyance, but extended power outages can also be dangerous to your family’s health and safety especially during a hot summer.
A standby generator is a great way to ensure that your family is safe and comfortable during a power outage, whether it was caused by a storm or equipment failure.
How do Home Standby Generators Work?
Standby generators are automatic backup power systems that activate during a power outage to provide electricity to your home or business. Here’s how they work:
Detection and Activation
When utility power fails, an automatic transfer switch (ATS) detects the outage almost instantly. This switch continuously monitors incoming voltage from your utility provider. Once it detects a significant drop or complete loss of power, it signals the generator to start.
Starting Sequence
The generator engine (typically powered by natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel) receives the start signal and begins its starting sequence. Modern generators can reach operating speed and begin producing power within 10-30 seconds of an outage.
Power Transfer
Once the generator reaches proper voltage and frequency, the ATS disconnects your home from the utility lines and connects it to the generator’s power output. This transfer happens automatically and safely prevents backfeeding into utility lines.
Operation
The generator continues running and supplying electricity to your home’s electrical panel, powering whatever circuits were included in the installation. Depending on the generator’s size, this could be just essential circuits (refrigerator, heating system, some lights) or your entire home.
Monitoring
While running, the generator’s control systems continuously monitor various parameters such as oil pressure, engine temperature, and output voltage to ensure safe operation.
Utility Restoration
When utility power returns, the ATS detects the stable incoming voltage. After confirming the utility power has remained stable for a preset time (usually 30 seconds to several minutes), it initiates the transfer back to utility power.
Shutdown
After transferring the load back to utility power, the generator continues running for a short cooling period (typically 5 minutes) before shutting down. It then returns to standby mode, ready for the next outage.
Regular Maintenance
To ensure reliability, standby generators perform weekly self-tests by briefly running without transferring the load. This keeps engine components lubricated and verifies the system is functioning properly.
Standby generators differ from portable generators in that they’re permanently installed, connect directly to your home’s electrical system, and operate automatically without requiring manual intervention during an outage.
What Are Standby Generators?
Standby generators are always ready to supply power without needing to be turned on by a homeowner. Modern whole-home standby generators use natural gas or propane for fuel and will turn on at the first sign of a power interruption.
Portable generators will need to be turned on manually during a power outage and can power multiple extension cords, electric power tools, and appliances. And unlike standby generators, portable generators can be easily moved wherever you need them and are rated by the amount of power that they produce. Generally, the more watts, the more items you can power up.
Where Do I Install a Generator?
A whole-home permanent generator system is installed outside a home or business and connected to a long-term fuel supply to eliminate the need to refuel. Residential systems usually run on natural or propane gas, but some can run on diesel fuel.
An automatic transfer switch connects the generator to your home’s electrical system and when the generator detects an outage, the engine automatically starts and turns on the alternator—the power generating unit in the generator. The alternator converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy to power your home.
Does A Standby Generator Turn On Automatically?
It’s on standby and ready to go whenever you need it to turn on. That’s one of the biggest pluses! The automatic transfer switch allows the generator to be a permanent solution for power outages.
Depending on the model, it may have a load center with its own circuit breakers. Or your unit may control the main circuit breaker or a sub-panel on your house. Some automatic transfer switches have capabilities for 240-volt high current loads.
When an outage occurs, the transfer switch isolates and disconnects the generator from the utility power lines and powers up the generator. A typical switchover can take less than a minute, and once the utility restores power, the transfer switch will shut the generator off and reconnect to the power grid.
Generator Options
Permanent standby generators are currently in high demand so there is a shortage, and our local electricians have a solution for your needs if you cannot find a permanent generator to install.
A portable generator is a great solution but often comes with a mess of extension cords to deal with. A contractor from Integrity Home Solutions can install an interlock kit that allows one cord to run to your main power source and power the circuits that you want to use during an outage.
Interlock kits are:
- Quick to install
- Portable
- Can use gas or propane
- Cost-effective
- Ready when you need to use
Unsure of what kind of generator to purchase? Integrity Home Solutions can help! Call us today to schedule a consultation—813-473-6007!
Managing Power During an Outage
Your standby generator may not have the capacity to handle the entire load if you try to power up high-voltage appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, dryers, etc.
But with a power management option, these loads will only run when the generator has sufficient power. This means your generator may force an appliance to shut off while another one runs to help conserve energy.
Stay Powered During a Power Outage
A standby generator can ensure that your family is safe and comfortable the next time there is an extended power outage. Integrity Home Solutions can help you decide whether a permanent generator or portable generator with an interlock kit is best for your needs.
Have greater peace of mind (and keep your cool) the next time there is a power outage! Call our local experts to install an interlock kit or perform routine maintenance on your standby generator—813-473-6007!
