Don't get caught in the dark if a storm or other disruption knocks out your power. You can protect your home and your family with a backup generator. Read on for tips on how to pick out the right one for your house.

Why Do I Need A Generator?

Blackouts are unpredictable. Of course, you can have family fun in a power outage, but if the lights stay off for an extended period of time it can mean trouble. If you rely on electric heat and the power doesn't come back on promptly in cold weather, your pipes could freeze and your home could even become too cold for human habitation. In the summer, you can end up sweltering with no air conditioning while all the food in your refrigerator spoils. Smart homeowners are prepared to keep their electrical systems up and running no matter how long it takes the utility company to restore power.

What Are My Options?

You can buy a small portable generator if you just need to keep a few appliances functioning. Plug your equipment into the portable generator directly, or a special connection to your circuit box can be installed to allow you to plug into your wall outlets as normal. Be careful not to overload the generator, or you can cause it to short out. 

A standby generator is the best option if you want to keep your whole house online. Standby generators run off your gas connection (or you can attach a propane tank) and they turn on automatically when the power goes out. Standby generators are simpler to use once they are installed because you don't need to worry about cords or even turning it on yourself. However, they can cost $10,000 or more.

You should choose the size and power of your generator based on how much electricity you will need in an emergency. Adding up the wattage of all the equipment and appliances you want to keep online will give you a baseline to use as a guide. Portable generators range in capacity from 1,000 watts to around 17,500 watts, while heavy duty standby generators can handle up to 30,000 watts and above.

Safety First

If you get a portable generator, never run it inside. Find a level surface at least ten feet from your house, and connect properly-rated extension cords to the appliances you want to run. Because most portable generators burn gasoline, placing one too close to your home can put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't forget to inspect the extension cords for any fraying or damage and ensure they are rated for outdoor use.

Never modify an extension cord or plug your portable generator directly into a wall outlet. This will send electricity back through your circuit box and onto the grid, creating a danger to utility workers fixing the wires.

Choosing the right generator, not to mention properly installing it, can be tricky. Call an expert electrician to help you purchase and set up your new generator so you know that the lights will stay on the next time the power goes down.

Call local Mister Sparky® for generator advice or assistance. We're always here to help!

Expert Electric offers many different types of electrical services for both residential and commercial properties. From ceiling fan installation to smoke detectors and electrical water heaters, our team of licensed electricians can tackle it all! Another area that our team of electricians specializes in is electrical motors. Since electrical motors convert electricity into mechanical or kinetic energy, they have many different applications. Keep reading to learn more about the basics of electrical motors, common applications and repairs.

Electrical motors are commonplace in many personal, household and industrial products such as power tools, watches, disk drives and batteries. Essentially these motors are machines that come in all different sizes and are used to transmit electricity into mechanical or kinetic energy. We often take electricity for granted when we switch on our lights or our television. In fact, it is the behind-the-scenes work of electrical motors that causes the instant conversion of electricity into energy which immediately powers our devices.

As previously mentioned, electrical motors are used in so many of our personal and household items. We rely on them to track time, grind coffee, wash clothes and keep us warm. Our world would be much different without electrical motors. Outside of our homes and personal lives, electrical motors play a much larger role. Electrical motors are used in all types of commercial industrial equipment including pumps, mills, refineries and more. The significant impact of electrical motors extends all throughout the oil & gas, energy, mining and water industries.

Like most electrical items, electrical motors require regular maintenance and repairs. Although electrical motor repairs may seem intimidating to some, a licensed electrician can handle the repair and maintenance of most motors in personal and household items. For electrical motor repairs in Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. Our team is easy to reach and will respond fast to any of your electrical motor repair needs.

If you have any questions about electrical motors or any of our other electrical services, please contact the licensed electricians at Expert Electric. We are pleased to answer any questions that you may have. Call us today at 604-681-8338 or visit our website.

Over the past few years tropical storms and major weather have become much more common, and have put many Tampa area homeowners on guard. Which is very good—caution and preparation are the keys to a safe home, and at Hoffman Electrical we like to do all we can to help our clients be ready for anything.