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Adding a generator to the house electricity supply

  • 19-09-2011 5:56pm
    #1
    Fallschirmjager
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,341 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Can anyone help. I would like to know what is needed to add a petrol generator to the house electricity supply. I have no interest doing it myself but I would like your thoughts on what is needed and if you have any idea of the cost.

    I am looking for a manual switch box but don't know what it is called unfortunately. Although we are on gas it needs electricity to fire up. I am not looking to power the whole house, just the heating, maybe the router, laptop and a couple of lights.

    Can anyone help or recommend a small generator

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Tazio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭Tazio


    Hi I have a little 6kva Honda single phase generator in my garage.

    There is 16sqr cabling (the thick stuff!!) going back to the main fuse box..

    There are two 63A fuse/main switch units on the fuse box too.. these two swiches have inputs from the ESB and generator supplies....

    The outputs from.these switches then get routed.through a 90Amp crossover switch. The crossover switch basically selects which power source the house will use.. ie ESB or generator. The crossover switch also has two neon lights so you can tell when the main ESB is ok.again.so you can reconnect after outage etc..

    We live rural so we need power for water/sewage/heat/outdoor lightingetc..

    It was wired day one when the house was built.. but.from memory the generator was €1200... The crossover switch was around €130..


    The ESB connection to a.typical house is 12.5kva... The generator is 6kva.. this is plenty for running lights (especially energy save), well water pump, tv, oil burner etc.. but obviously you wouldn't be running kettles, irons, toasters, washing machines etc..:)

    Its a good idea to have a small.generator imo... Especially during winter with young family.etc... Having said that I've only used it around 8 times in the last 4 years..

    The trick is to get it wired up right/safely.. it needs to be isolated from main supply.etc and earthed properly.


  • #3
    headmaster
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 687 ✭✭✭headmaster


    I have a generator that i used at the beginning of my build and then when i moved in, as the esb didn't connect me on time , it will work everything and the house had been wired for the changeover in case of esb cutout from storms or whatever. Battery is dead at the moment, but it's as new and i don't want it any more. I'm willing to sell it for €1200, if you're interested.


  • #4
    Fallschirmjager
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,341 ✭✭✭Fallschirmjager


    Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. Sorry I have to do some checking on the generators I guess.


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