Cindy from Red Bank, NJ has been a Green Sun Energy Services client since March of 2016. The 20 kW standby generator at the house was installed by another company, and Cindy brought its servicing to us — the one-year check first, then the two-year service completed in March of 2017 with 37 hours on the meter. A 20 kW machine on a managed whole-house switch carries everything when the grid drops, which is why the annual visit covers the whole system rather than just the engine: oil and filters, plugs, battery, and a load test that proves the transfer switch actually hands over. Red Bank is in Monmouth County.
Project Facts
- Location
- Red Bank, NJ
- Service
- Standby Generator Service
- Client since
- March 2016
- Manufacturer
- Generac Model # 5875
- Rated output
- 20 kW LP / 18 kW NG
- Transfer switch
- 90 amp
- Load management
- Managed Whole House
Standby generator questions from Red Bank homeowners
Does the transfer switch need flood protection as well as the generator?
Yes. A flood review should cover much more than the generator enclosure. FEMA recommends that a residential standby system consider elevation or protection of the generator, the transfer switch, the normal and emergency panels, the feeders and the control wiring together.
Does a 200-amp service need a 200-amp transfer switch?
A transfer switch installed in the service path has to be rated appropriately for the service and the configuration. A 200-amp service commonly uses a 200-amp service-rated switch, but the actual design is confirmed by the electrician rather than assumed from the service size.
How can a whole house be carried on a smaller electrical service?
Through load management. One or more large loads are controlled so they do not start at the same moment, or shut down briefly if generator demand climbs too high. That is what allows whole-house coverage where the raw sum of every connected load would otherwise exceed the machine.