black & decker backup power current with 2011-2013 electrical codes

8/9/2019 Black & Decker Backup Power Current With 2011-2013 Electrical Codes

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BACKUP POWER

Current with 2011-2013Electrical Codes


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ContentsBackup Power Supply

Installing a Transfer Switch

Conversions

Converting Temperatures


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Backup Power Supply

Installing a backup generator is an invaluable way to prepare your family for emergencies. The simplest backup power system is a portable gas-powered generator and an extension cord or two. A big benefit of this approach is that you can run arefrigerator and a few worklights during a power outage with a tool that can also betransported to remote job sites or on camping trips when its not doing emergency

backup duty. This is also the least expensive way to provide some backup power for your home. You can purchase a generator at most home centers and be up and runningin a matter of hours. If you take this approach, it is critically important that you make

certain any loads being run by your generator are disconnected from the utility power source.

The next step up is to incorporate a manual transfer switch for your portablegenerator. Transfer switches are permanently hardwired to your service panel. Theyare mounted on either the interior or the exterior of your house between the generator and the service panel. You provide a power feed from the generator into the switch.The switch is wired to selected essential circuits in your house, allowing you to

power lights, furnace blowers, and other loads that cant easily be run with an


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extension cord. But perhaps the most important job a transfer switch performs is todisconnect the utility power. If the inactive utility power line is attached to the service

panel, backfeed of power from your generator to the utility line can occur when thegenerator kicks in. This condition could be fatal to line workers who are trying torestore power. The potential for backfeed is the main reason many municipalitiesinsist that only a licensed electrician hook up a transfer switch. Using a transfer switchnot installed by a professional may also void the warranty of the switch and thegenerator.

Automatic transfer switches turn on the generator and switch off the utility supplyhen they detect a significant drop in line voltage. They may be installed with

portable generators, provided the generator is equipped with an electric starter.

Large standby generators that resemble central air conditioners are the top of theline in backup power supply systems. Often fueled by home natural gas lines or

propane tanks that offer a bottomless fuel source, standby generators are made in sizesith as much as 20 to 40 kilowatts of outputenough to supply all of the power needs

of a 5,000-sq.-ft. home.

Generators have a range of use s. Large hard-wired models can provide instant emergency power for a wholehouse. Smaller models (below) are convenient for occasional short-term backup as well as job sites or camping trips.


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Choosing a Backup Generator

A 2,000- to 5 ,000-watt gas-powered generator and a few extension cords can power lamps and an appliance or two during shorter-term power outages. Appliances must not be connected to household wiring and the generator simultaneously. Never plug a generator into an outlet. Never operate a generator indoors. Run extension cordsthrough a garage door.


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A permanent transfer switch patches electricity from a large portable generator through to selected householdcircuits via an inlet at your service panel (inset), allowing you to power hardwired fixtures and appliances with thegenerator.


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A Typical Backup System

Backup generators supply power to a manual transfer switch, which disconnects the house from the main servicewires and routes power from the generator through selected household circuits.


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Choosing a GeneratorChoosing a generator for your homes needs requires a few calculations. The chart

below gives an estimate of the size of generator typically recommended for a house of a certain size. You can get a more accurate number by adding up the power consumption (the watts) of all the circuits or devices to be powered by a generator.Its also important to keep in mind that, for most electrical appliances, the amount of

power required at the moment you flip the ON switch is greater than the number of atts required to keep the device running. For instance, though an air conditioner may

run on 15,000 watts of power, it will require a surge of 30,000 watts at startup (the power range required to operate an appliance is usually listed somewhere on thedevice itself). These two numbers are called run watts and surge watts. Generators aretypically sold according to run watts (a 5,000-watt generator can sustain 5,000 watts).They are also rated for a certain number of surge watts (a 5,000-watt generator may beable to produce a surge of 10,000 watts). If the surge watts arent listed, ask or check the manual. Some generators cant develop many more surge watts than run watts;others can produce twice as much surge as run wattage.

Its not necessary to buy a generator large enough to match the surge potential of allyour circuits (you wont be turning everything on simultaneously), but surge wattsshould factor in your purchasing decision. If you will be operating the generator at or near capacity, it is also a wise practice to stagger startups for appliances.

SIZE OF HOUSE (IN SQUAREFEET)

RECOMMENDED GENERATOR SIZE (INKILOWATTS)

Up to 2,700 5112,7003,700 14163,7004,700 204,7007,000 4247


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Types of Transfer Switches

Cord-connected transfer switches (shown above) are hard-wired to the service panel (in some cases theyreinstalled after the service panel and operate only selected circuits). These switches contain a male receptacle for a

power supply cord connected to the generator. Automatic transfer switches (not shown) detect voltage drop-off inthe main power line and switch over to the emergency power source.


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When using a cord-connected switch, consider mounting an inlet box to the exterior wall. This will allow you toconnect a generator without running a cord into the house.


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Generator Tips

If youll need to run se nsitive e lectronics such as computers or home theater equipment, look for agenerator with power inverter technology that dispenses clean power with a stable sine wave pattern.


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A generator that will output 240-volt service is required to run most central air conditioners. If your generator has variable output (120/240) make sure the switch is set to the correct output voltage.


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Running & Maintaining a Backup SystemEven with a fully automatic standby generator system fueled by natural gas or propane,you will need to conduct some regular maintenance and testing to make sure allsystems are ready in the event of power loss. If youre depending on a portablegenerator and extension cords or a standby generator with a manual transfer switch,youll also need to know the correct sequence of steps to follow in a power emergency. Switches and panels also need to be tested on a regular basis, as directedin your owners manual. And be sure that all switches (both interior and exterior) arehoused in an approved enclosure box.

Smaller portable ge nerators often use pull-cords instead of electric starters.


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ANATOMY OF A PORTABLE BACKUP GENERATOR

Portable generators use small gasoline engines to generate power. A built-in electronics panel sets current to ACor DC and the correct voltage. Most models will also include a built-in circuit breaker to protect the generator fromdamage in the event it is connected to too many loads. Better models include features like built-in GFCI protection.Larger portable generators may also feature electric starter motors and batteries for push-button starts.


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Operating a Manual System During an Outage

Plug the generator in at the inlet box. Make sure the other end of the generators outlet cord is plugged into the

appropriate outlet on the generator (120-volt or 120/240-volt AC) and the generator is switched to the appropriatevoltage setting.


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Start the generator with the pull-cord or electric starter (if your generator has one). Let the generator run for several minutes before flipping the transfer switch.


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Flip the manual transfer switch. Begin turning on loads one at a time by flipping breakers on, starting with theones that power essential equipment. Do not overload the generator or the switch and do not run the generator at or near full capacity for more than 30 minutes at a time.


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Maintaining and Operating an Automatic Standby Generator

If you choose to spend the money and install a dedicated standby generator of 10,000 watts or more and operateit through an automatic transfer switch or panel, you wont need to lift a hand when your utility power goes out. Thesystem kicks in by itself. However, you should follow the manufacturers suggestions for testing the system,changing the oil, and running the motor periodically.


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Installing a Transfer Switch

A transfer switch is installed next to the main service panel to override the normalelectrical service with power from a backup generator during a power outage. Manualtransfer switches require an operator to change the power source, while automaticswitches detect the loss of power, start the back-up generator and switch over to the

backup power feed. Because the amount of electricity created by a backup generator isnot adequate to power all of the electrical circuits in your house, youll need todesignate a few selected circuits to get backup current (See Selecting BackupCircuits Sidebar).

A manual transfer switch connects emergency circuits in your main panel to a standby generator.


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Tools & Materials

Circuit tester Drill/driver ScrewdriversHammer Wire cuttersCable ripper Wire strippersLevelManual transfer switchScrewsWire connectors (yellow)Standby power generator

One flip of a switch reassigns the power source for each critical circuit so your backup generator can keep your refrigerator, freezer and important lights running during an outage of utility power.


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Determine which household circuits are critical for emergency usage during a power outage. Typically, this willinclude the refrigerator, freezer, furnace and at least one light or small appliance circuit.


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Match your critical circuits with circuit inlet on your pre-wired transfer switch. Try to balance the load as bestyou can: for example, if your refrigerator is on the leftmost circuit, connect your freezer to the circuit farthest to theright. Double-pole (240-volt) circuits will require two 120-volt circuit connections. Also make sure that 15-amp and20-amp circuits are not mismatched with one another.


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Select a knockout at the bottom of the main service panel box and remove the knockout. Make sure to choose aknockout that is sized to match the connector on the flexible conduit coming from the transfer switch.


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Feed the wires from the transfer switch into the knock out hole, taking care not to damage the insulation. You willnote that each wire is labeled according to which circuit in the switch box it feeds.


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Remove the breaker for the first critical circuit from the main service panel box and disconnect the hot wire leadfrom the lug on the breaker.


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Locate the red wire for the switch box circuit that corresponds to the circuit youve disconnected. Attach the redwire to the breaker youve just removed and then reinstall the breaker.


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If any of your critical circuits are 240-volt circuits, attach the red leads from the two transfer switch circuits tothe double-pole breaker. The two circuits originating in the transfer switch should be next to one another and their switches should be connected with a handle tie. If you have no 240-volt circuits you may remove the preattachedhandle tie and use the circuits individually.


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Attach the gree n ground wire from the transfer switch to an open port on the grounding bar in your main service panel. This should complete the installation of the transfer switch. Replace the cover on the service panel box andmake sure to fill in the circuit map on your switch box.


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Be gin tes ting the transfer switch by making sure all of the switches on the transfer switch box are set to theLINE setting. The power should still be OFF at the main panel breakers.


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Standby Generators

Make sure your standby generator is operating properly and has been installed professionally. See page 266 for information on choosing a generator that is sized appropriately for your needs.

Before turning your generator on, attach the power cord from the generator to the switch box. Never attach or detach a generator cord with the generator running. Turn your standby power generator on and let it run for a


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minute or two.

Flip each circuit switch on the transfer switch box to GEN, one at a time. Try to maintain balance by moving back and forth from circuits on the left and right side. Do not turn all circuits on at the same time. Observe the onboardwattage meters as you engage each circuit and try to keep the wattage levels in balance. When you have completedtesting the switch, turn the switches back to LINE and then shut off your generator.


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ConversionsMetric Equivalent


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Converting Measurements

TO CONVERT: TO: MULTIPLY BY:

Inches Millimeters 25.4

Inches Centimeters 25.4

Feet Meters 0.305

Yards Meters 0.914

Miles Kilometers 1.609

Square inches Square centimeters 6.45

Square feet Square meters 0.093

Square yards Square meters 0.836

Cubic inches Cubic centimeters 16.4

Cubic feet Cubic meters 0.0283

Cubic yards Cubic meters 0.765

Pints (U.S.) Liters 0.473 (lmp. 0.568)

Quarts (U.S.) Liters 0.946 (lmp. 1.136)

Gallons (U.S.) Liters 3.785 (lmp. 4.546)

Ounces Grams 28.4

Pounds Kilograms 0.454

Tons Metric tons 0.907

Millimeters Inches 0.039

Centimeters Inches 0.394


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Meters Feet 3.28

Meters Yards 1.09

Kilometers Miles 0.621

Square centimeters Square inches 0.155

Square meters Square feet 10.8

Square meters Square yards 1.2

Cubic centimeters Cubic inches 0.061

Cubic meters Cubic feet 35.3

Cubic meters Cubic yards 1.31

Liters Pints (U.S.) 2.114 (lmp. 1.76)

Liters Quarts (U.S.) 1.057 (lmp. 0.88)

Liters Gallons (U.S.) 0.264 (lmp. 0.22)

Grams Ounces 0.035

Kilograms Pounds 2.2

Metric tons Tons 1.1


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Converting Temperatures

C onvert degrees Fahrenheit (F) to degrees Celsius (C) by following this simpleformula: Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature reading. Then mulitply thatnumber by 5/9. For example, 77F - 32 = 45. 45 5/9 = 25C.

To convert degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit, multiply the Celsius temperaturereading by 9/5, then add 32. For example, 25C 9/5 = 45. 45 + 32 = 77F.


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Copyright 2013Creative Publishing international, Inc.400 First Avenue North, Suite 300Minneapolis, Minnesota 554011-800-328-0590

ww.creativepub.comAll rights reserved

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

President/CEO: Ken Fund

Digital edition: 978-1-61058-723-5Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-601-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The complete guide to wiring. -- 5th ed. p. cm.Current with 2011-2013 Electrical codes.Black & Decker.Includes index.Summary: New 5th edition is fully compliant with the 2013 National ElectricalCode.-- Provided by publisher.ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-601-1 (soft cover)

ISBN-10: 1-58923-601-7 (soft cover) 1. Electric wiring, Interior--Amateurs manuals. 2. Dwellings--Maintenance and repair--Amateurs manuals. 3. Dwellings--Electricequipment--Amateurs manuals. I. Black & Decker Corporation(Towson, Md.) II. Creative Publishing International. III. Title: Black &Decker, the complete guide to wiring.

TK3284.C65 2011621.31924--dc22

2011000820
http://www.creativepub.com/


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Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandemanaging Editor: Tracy Stanley

Senior Editor: Mark Johanson

Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomarert Direction/Design: Brad Springer, James Kegley, Kim Winscher

Lead Photographer: Corean KomarecSet Builder: James Parmeter

Production Managers: Laura Hokkanen, Linda Halls

dition Editor: Chris Sibell Page Layout Artist: Danielle SmithTechnical Consultant and Shop Help: John Keane

Proofreader: Ingrid Sundstrom Lundegaard

The Complete Guide to Wiring 5th EditionCreated by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation withBlack & Decker.Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the proceduresdescribed in this book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assumeresponsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for variousapplications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may

be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products,since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this

book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all

do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.Consult your local building department for information on building permits,

codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

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