Using a back-up generator
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SAFETY ALERT
Improper generator installation risks injury or death.
Remember last spring, when all the storms wreaked havoc with everything, including the power lines that supply electricity to you? And who can forget the Halloween ice storm and the Thanksgiving snow storm of 1991! When weather situations like these occur, most families wish for a standby generator if they did not have one. Cows need to be milked, milk needs to be cooled, livestock need water, the silo unloader needs to get silage down for the cattle, feed conveyors need to work, hogs in confinement need ventilation, the refrigerator and freezer need to keep food cool, and people like to stay warm!
Investing in a standby generator is like paying for insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but if you do need it, it is well worth the price. A standby generator reduces the risk of losses due to power outages. It can give you a sense of security in knowing you will be able to have power. It can lessen the mental anguish of wondering if and how the cows will get milked if an ice or snow storm, or a strong summer wind comes and the power goes off.
A standby power system requires two elements:
- A transfer switch to isolate the farm system from power lines;
- A generator or alternator to produce alternating current.
Farmers will need to consider whether to set up the farm to have the generator handle a full-load system or a partial-load system. A full-load system must handle the maximum running load and peak starting load of the home, farmstead or dairy installation. A partial-load system carries enough load to handle only vital needs and is usually controlled manually. The maximum running load and peak starting load may include the electrical loads of milking, milk cooling, and mechanical feeding equipment. After milking is complete, these loads, except for milk cooling are turned off and other loads are turned on.
Tractor-driven PTO generators are common and are typically the most economical. During heavy snowfall, getting the tractor to the generator can be a problem, so setting up the system by the doors of the shed where the tractor is housed may make the most sense. An engine-driven system may be necessary for confinement livestock housing such as an enclosed hog finishing unit, so if a short duration outage occurs, automatic switching takes place to keep the ventilation system going. Even if the generators are never needed, it is recommended that the farmer operate the engine-driven unit at least once per week and the tractor-driven unit every month to ensure they will function when needed.
A double throw transfer switch needs to be installed after the meter so the generator is always isolated from incoming power lines. This switch keeps generated power from feeding back over the supply lines, eliminates generator damage when the power is restored, and protects power line crews.
To insure proper installation of a standby generator and compliance with electrical code, please contact a qualified, licensed electrician.