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(1)
Drawing shows a typical gas utility approach on how to
bring natural gas fuel to the gen-set. The fuel from utility is
connected by dedicated fuel line, to the installed 4 ounce, 7”
water column secondary regulator, inside gen-set housing.
CAUTION:
Consult your natural gas supplier about your meter
size. Most meters must be replaced with a larger BTU size, due
to larger demand of BTU’s from generator. The same proce-
dure is also used with LPG: a 6 ounce, 11” water column, dedi-
cated primary regulator is placed at fuel outlet of “vapor with-
drawal” LPG tank. Fuel is piped directly to LPG 6 ounce, 11”
water column secondary regulator, inside gen-set housing.
(2)
Drawing shows chosen circuit connection: Load circuits are
selected based on importance of needs, plus the starting and
running amps. All connected loads should not exceed the amp
size of generator. The auto transfer switch should equal or ex-
ceed total amp load of (F), smaller distribution panel.
When “Chosen” load is matched to gen-set amp size, the gen-
set is never overloaded.
(3)
Drawing shows full load connection: The gen-set output is
applied to the entire load of the utility electrical distribution
panel. For this installation, the auto transfer switch, must be of
same amp size as utility power. This is the easiest, lower
priced electrical installation, but subject to gen-set shutdown
whenever load amps exceed gen-set amp capacity.
(A)
Drive a corrosion resistant steel stake, into ground and at-
tach a 10 gauge stranded copper wire from stake to ground lug
on outside of gen-set. This bleeds off any potential lightning
strike and any static electricity, which can occur on metal parts
of ungrounded generators.
For a non-separately derived
system (where normal electric utility power is in building
and gen-set is a back-up emergency power supply), the
gen-set neutral must connect only to utility power neutral
and not to the ground stake.
The best place for these two
neutrals to meet (generator and utility neutral), is in the auto-
matic transfer switch. However, still connect gen-set mechani-
cal ground to the stake. All factory gen-sets, have a “floating
neutral” ready to be connected to utility neutral, by installer.
(B)
Normal utility power meter and power inlet to panel.
(C)
Safety disconnect switch, sized to ATS amp rating.
(D)
Auto transfer switch with UL-1008 label and NEMA-1 hous-
ing for inside installation. Consult factory for NEMA-3R, outside
installations.
(E)
Original electric utility distribution panel.
(F)
Separate, smaller distribution panel, with chosen circuit
loads.
HELPFUL INSTALLATION TIPS
●
Mound the gen-set location upwards at least 1 inch from
normal terrain, for proper drainage. Fill an area 6 inches lar-
ger than gen-set mounting pad perimeter and 3 inches deep,
with crushed gravel. This provides flexible settling of gen-set
and mounting pad.
NOTE:
Specific locales may require a ce-
ment pad installation.
●
Gen-set must be located minimum 5 feet from all structures.
This clearance will provide for ample service room.
●
Watch out for roof overhangs. Snow, ice, or rain should not
be allowed to accumulate on roof, and cascade onto gen-set
roof.
●
Check prevailing wind direction. Winds should blow to-
ward the engine end of housing, which is the normal cool air
intake end. The opposite end is hot air discharge.
●
Engine exhaust from generator end is hot and dangerous.
Exhaust must be allowed to dissipate into free air zone, with no
obstructions (air conditioner condenser, buildings, plants,
trees, living quarters, etc.) within 5 feet.
●
Control wires and load wires should be made in
(2) differ-
ent circuit runs to auto transfer switch
, to avoid any possible
magnetic interference between the two. These lines should be
underground for best protection.
●
Don’t allow snow, ice, or debris to accumulate around and
on gen-set. If possible, plant a short hedge or a series of ever-
greens, as a protective “wall”, 5 feet from gen-set on windward
(engine) side, to stop such accumulation, and still allow cooling
air to flow.
TYPICAL EMERGENCY GENERATOR INSTALLATION PRACTICES
