NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 16, 2000
The house goes dark. A glance out the window reveals darkness from horizon to horizon and the realization that the power is off. Now is not the time to wonder: "Is my standby generator going to work?"
"If you have a standby generator, you’re counting on it to keep water pipes from freezing, the house warm or livestock facilities ventilated," says George Maher, an agricultural safety specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "Several factors influence the generator's ability to start, do its job and operate safely. All must be OK if the machine is to be reliable."
The power for a standby generator usually comes from a built-in engine or through the power take off shaft of a farm tractor. Either type of engine must be maintained so that it is easily started, Maher says. The fuel should be fresh, battery charged, electrical connections good, filters clean and cooling system well-maintained. Always follow the manufacturers instructions on engine maintenance.
Keep fuel fresh by transferring the old fuel to a tractor or vehicle that will use it up soon. Refill the tank with fresh fuel and keep it completely full during the winter to prevent condensation moisture that could freeze and plug the fuel line. Add a fuel stabilizer to keep the stored fuel in good condition.
The liquid cooling system of the self-powered standby generator needs seasonal maintenance just as do vehicles, Maher notes. Seasonally, test the antifreeze and replace it according to manufacturer’s instructions. An over-heated generator with a failed cooling system during a power failure can be extremely expensive.
"Make sure there is access to the generator," Maher says. Without a plan for parking machinery at the farmstead, it can be very easy to park a seasonally-used combine, planter, or truck in front of the generator. Make sure the correct PTO shaft for the generator is available and in good repair. "It’s easy to lose track of the PTO shaft if you use it on other equipment during the year. If you’ve done so, now is the time to find it and reinstall it on the generator. Keep a PTO shaft just for the generator and always with a good PTO shield on it," he says.
If the generator is installed for indoor operation, there are safety requirements to be met:
"You also need to take into account electrical safety considerations with a standby generator," Maher says. "Most important is the transfer switch that disconnects the farm or home from the power line and connects it to the generator. It must be a double throw transfer switch which prevents the generator from feeding electricity back into the power line. This protects the linemen who may be working to restore your service."
A double throw transfer switch puts just the electrical load of your farm on the generator, otherwise your generator will try to supply electricity to the whole neighborhood. In addition to posing a safety hazard, that situation is likely to overload your generator.
"Also be sure that all conductors or wires are of sufficient capacity. Overloaded conductors get hot and cause fires. A farm fire during a power outage is extremely serious," Maher notes.
Always keep in mind the capacity of the generator. It is easy to keep adding electrical features to the farm and house, but the standby generator has a limited capacity. Many electrical systems and appliances operate with a narrow range of voltage. If the generator cannot provide voltage within 10 percent of what is needed, some loads must be shut off, Maher says. Increasing the speed of the generator past its rated limit will not necessarily increase the voltage and will damage the unit. If one generator is used to power farm-related equipment, it may be worthwhile to consider a second generator to supply the needs of the house.
"Consult your local electric power supplier if there are questions concerning the safety and suitability of your standby generator and its installation. They have the knowledge and expertise and are more than willing to help where possible," Maher says.
Additional information about standby generators can be found in the publication "Electric Power Quarterly" No. 129, which can be found under publications on the NDSU Extension Agricultural and BioSystems Engineering web page, http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/publications.htm, and is available from NDSU county extension offices or from the NDSU Extension Agricultural and BioSystems Engineering Department, NDSU (701) 231-7236.
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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629