The sale of Generators as Back-Up Power sources is on the rise around the world, thanks to unstable power supplies and unpredictable weather.
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Message Left By American Resident In The Wake Of Hurricane Sandy...[/caption] After tropical storms, cyclones and hurricanes hit, people are realising they need to act. While people may be spared their homes and business, the resulting power cuts can cause disruption for weeks after the disaster. Throwing out food, living by torchlight and trying to find ways to keep their mobiles and laptops powered up are just a few of the daily challenges. [caption id="attachment_249" align="aligncenter" width="485"]
Powering Up Mission Critical Appliances During The Recovery Phase is Essential[/caption] That's why many people are purchasing Portable Generators. These generators produce enough electricity to run the essential appliances around the home - a refrigerator, radio and home office. A Portable Generator can also power critical equipment for those who care for the elderly relatives at home. Surviving Australian weather Generators have been a back up for homeowners in country Australia for decades. But in recent years, they have also become popular with families in metropolitan areas that have been hard hit by recent storms. In Queensland's metro areas, for example, Generators are proving worthwhile investments for households and businesses who have survived not just one storm, but a plethora of weather events. [caption id="attachment_247" align="aligncenter" width="540"]
Emergency Reponders Preparing To Distribute Portable Generators in the Wake of a Severe Weather Event[/caption] A small price to pay For as little as $250, consumers can buy a 800-Watt Portable Generator that will keep a few home appliances running for several hours - the ideal solution for mission critical domestic appliances. These Back-Up Generators are intended for cost-effective, infrequent use. They are also designed with AVR or Inverter Voltage Control, which will provide clean power for sensitive electrical devices such as laptops and tablets. Larger households are investing in more powerful generators costing in excess of $2,000 - but they rightly see this as a small investment for peace of mind in an emergency. These include specialised generators know as auto-start generators: These are another form of popular back up generators which are wired into your house mains by an electrician and automatically kick in to provide power to your home in the event of a blackout. At the end of the day, the right size and type generator comes down to your own personal needs and what items you want to run off your generator. [caption id="attachment_250" align="aligncenter" width="531"]
Portable Generators Can Be Used To Power Various Applications[/caption] Dispelling the myths Once upon a time, generators were seen as fuel-guzzling noisy beasts, but they've moved on - and people are quickly realising this fact. Thanks to Inverter Technology, improvements to insulators and sound-proofed casing, the engine noise can be minimised meaning they won't disturb neighbours when used after dark. They are a much friendlier choice for residential areas. And the best thing is, Back-Up Generators can be stored away so you don't even know they're there...until you need them. Flick the Switch Some households are taking it one step further and opting for a manual transfer switch panel to make their portable power even more convenient. A manual transfer switch means you can use a Portable Generator without the hassle of running extension cords. An electrician can install a manual transfer switch subpanel off your main circuit panel and install a dedicated inlet to power the subpanel. The size of the Generator will still dictate what you can power, but it does offer a convenient solution in an emergency. [caption id="attachment_248" align="aligncenter" width="360"]
Stay Powered Up In Stormy Weather[/caption] Staying Safe With the rising demand for generators comes a need for education about how to safely use a Portable Generator - especially for the home. Two of the primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust and electric shock. There are a number of important safety rules people should follow when they use a Generator; these can usually be found in the manufacturers' instructions. For more information on Portable Generators, Back-Up Generators and Emergency Generators, visit My Generator.
DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
