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Electrical Wire and Cable


Generators and Power Quality

How to Select the Right Generator for Your Home Electrical Requirements


Electrical Video #1

Generator Automatic Transfer Switch
and Electric Circuit Sub Panel

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NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Select Your Generator Carefully
Generator Question: I was wondering if a generator could be hooked up to a hot tub for emergency heating only.
The hot tub requires a 50 amp breaker and pulls about 4500 watts with everything running.
What size of portable generator would be required and any special wiring needed?

This electrical question came from: Joe, a Homeowner from Iowa city , IA

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Joe.

Generators for Home Electrical Power

A few things to consider for this hot tub generator application:

How to Select the Right Generator for your Home Electrical Requirements

RESOURCES

The Importance of a Generator Transfer Switch

Hot Tub Wiring

Home Generators
electric-generator
Home Generators
This series covers a wide variety of topics all about home generators including sizing, selecting, connecting and safely operating this all important addition to your home.

Wiring a Hot Tub
hot-tub-wiring
Hot Tub Wiring Diagram Information
Electrical Codes and Details for Spa and Hot Tub Wiring. Essentials for your installation, including the required GFCI ground fault protection and circuit wire size.

Power Quality


The following may also be helpful for you:

Electrical Video #2

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet

without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.



Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Generators and Power Quality”
  1. Sue says:

    I live in the northeast and as you can imagine, have plenty of snow storm and blizzards. I have a hot tub which requires 240V, 50amp. I have a generator that can handle 7000 running watts and 9000 start up watts. My electrical box has a switch, so that if I loose power, I hit the switch in my breaker box, connect the generator and off I go. We have lost power before for over a week, and I am afraid of my hot tub freezing. I do use it all winter so draining is not an option. If I were to alternate my house (furnace, minimal lights, etc…) and every few hours switch to only the hot tub. Would my generator handle it?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Sue,
    The generator would bog down to the electrical demand of the heater which is in the hot tub. You may want to consider having a freeze stat installed on the hot tub. A freeze stat is typically set up to turn on the pump at a low temperature before freezing which will then circulate the water to help prevent freezing. A local hot tub installer or technician should be able to set you up with this.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave