| TYPE OF SYSTEM |
MAIN FEATURES |
PRO's |
CON's |
NOTES |
| PORTABLE GENERATOR |
Runs on gasoline, diesel, propane,
or natural gas (depending on the model)
Power range: 500-17,500 W
Gasoline models are good mainly for short-term outages
Multi-fuel models running on LPG or NG may provide long-term power |
Can be moved from
place to place
No professional installation is needed [unless you want to
connect it to the house wiring via a transfer switch and/or to an
external fuel source] |
Limited
run time (less then a day before refueling) unless hooked up to an external fuel source
Very noisy
No auto start
Requires maintenance
Burns fuel even when it idles |
Must be run outdoor only
Potential fire and carbon monoxide hazard if used improperly |
| STATIONARY
STANDBY GENERATOR (HOME GENERATOR) |
Connects to the
home wiring via a transfer
switch
Runs on diesel, propane or natural gas (depending on model)
Highest power range (6kW -100's kW)
The best type during long blackouts and as the whole house generator
Typical transfer time with auto transfer switch: 10-30 seconds |
Auto start option
on many models
Practically infinite run time when connected to natural gas line |
Expensive
Requires professionally installed transfer switch and fuel line
Requires maintenance
Noisy
Burns fuel even when it idles |
Installed outdoor
on a cement pad and connected via a transfer switch |
| BATTERY
BACKUP WITH DC-AC POWER INVERTER / CHARGER |
Powers critical
appliances via extension cords. May be permanently connected to the house wiring via a transfer switch
Typical power for residential use: 5-10 kW
Auto start systems have response time 16-36 ms |
No maintenance
required
Quite
May be installed indoor
Low power consumption at no load (consumes power according to
the actual load demand)
|
Limited run time
(typically 2 to 12 hours) depending on the battery tank capacity |
Look for a sealed deep
cycle battery and a temperature compensated charger with a trickle mode to avoid battery overheating
|
| CAR
BATTERY AND DC-AC INVERTER |
Good for short
outages and to power only essential loads
Typical power 300 W- 5000W depending on the vehicle (hybrid is the best) |
Lowest cost
No professional installation required
|
Engine must be ON
all the time to avoid car battery discharge
Power is limited by the rating of vehicle parts
Limited run time |
Exhaust fumes
present potential hazard |
| SOLAR PANELS with a BATTERY SYSTEM
and DC-AC INVERTER/ CHARGER |
Photovoltaic (PV)
panels charge battery bank
Produces electricity only on bright days
Can power stand alone AC loads or can be connected to
the house wiring (in which case it requires a grid tie
inverter with a transfer switch) |
Uses renewable energy
Quite
No maintenance required
Defrays energy cost or even let you sell electricity back to utility
Federal and state incentives |
The most expensive
type
Limited run time [depending on the battery
tank's capacity]
Requires professional installation |
In off-grid installations it's
worth to supplement the system by a diesel or a propane genset |
| WIND GENERATORS
with BATTERY and DC-AC INVERTER |
A
wind turbine converts wind energy into electric energy. Includes a battery bank, charger and grid tie DC-AC inverter with auto transfer switch
May be used only in rural areas
|
Uses renewable energy
Federal and state incentives
Defrays energy cost or even let you sell electricity back to utility
|
The most expensive
type
Limited run time [depending on the battery tank's capacity]
Requires a toll tower |
In off-grid installations it's
worth to supplement the system by a diesel or propane genset |
