Generators for Home Use

Summary: Help for selecting a stand by generator for home use with explanations about emergency generators and stand by generators.

Generators Systems for the Home

Using Home Generators

This article describes the types of home generations for home use and explains the different applications.

How Basic Generators Work

See how a back up generator works and provides power to your home electrical requirements.

More about Home Generators

« Home Generators and Transfer Switches

Using Home Generators »

Frequently Asked Questions

New and Updated about: Home Generators

Question from Sal, a Homeowner in Stillwater, New Jersey
Connect a Plug for my Generator

I want to install a male and female connection on the power line to my home oil burner so in the event of a black out I can plug into my gas generator. Problems: Maintaining polarity on the plug and outlet. It seems that I have to reverse the connection- brass for black wire – silver for white wire. Ran into the same problem on the extension cord when I cut the old plug and outlet.

Dave’s Answer:

Sal, make sure the oil burner has been wired properly. The wiring connections to the generator should be standard and not reversed, so if there is a problem connecting other equipment to the generator then we should make sure and check the equipment out to prevent problems with other equipment that may be connected to the generator.

Question from Raymond a Handyman in Pembroke Pines, Florida
Should I make an Cord or Plug Adapter for my Generator?

I have a 50 amp plug to hook up to my old generator to my home. My new generator has a twist 4 prong 30 amp plug on it. Can I make up an adapter from my 50 amp plug to my new 30 amp plug? I would like to keep both options open if possible.

Dave’s Answer:

Raymond, to avoid confusion and standardize the wiring to your new generator you should consider changing the old cord connection to the new 30amp plug.

Electrical Question from Ron about Generators
Background: Ron, a Homeowner from Portland, Oregon.
Question: I have an inverter generator. I recently purchased a TV that has an internal battery and internal charger that can be charged either AC or DC. When I plug the TV into the generator it will run off the internal battery but not the generator. This is listed as a possibility in the user manual. My question is whether or not I can plug an AC to DC converter into the inverter generator and run the TV on DC which will allow the TV to run and charge. Thank you.

Additional Comments: Awesome web site.

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

You will have to look at the power specifications of the output of the DC supply on the generator and compare it with the power requirement specifications of the TV to see if the two are compatible or not.

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	Electrical Wiring Book

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.

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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:
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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.