WHAT IS A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR POWER SYSTEM?

The Cummins Onan emergency power system is a state-of-the-art electric power generator system designed for residential standby application. During a power failure, the generator set starts and, within seconds, begins producing electricity for your home. Everything happens automatically, from the generator starting to electrical loads being carried in the home.

Permanently installed outdoors, the residential emergency power system is no more conspicuous than a central air conditioning unit. Unlike a portable generator, your emergency power system is linked directly to your permanent fuel supply and can run on natural gas or LP. You have year-round, 24 hour-a-day protection against power failures without ever having to manually supply fuel.

HOW IMPORTANT IS STANDBY POWER TO YOUR HOME?

Electricity is the lifeblood of your home. A power outage that lasts for only a few hours can be a major inconvenience. An extended weather-related power failure can result in costly flooded basements, frozen pipes and structural damage. Pumps, furnaces, air conditioners, lights, computers, security systems, stoves, hot-water heaters and refrigerators all depend on electricity to keep your home and family safe and secure.

The average American home may depend on electricity for more than a hundred electrical devices. Even the short power interruption can cause discomfort and inconvenience.

When you own a Cummins Onan residential emergency power system, you can relax. This system protects your property by supplying vital electricity when you are at home or when you are away for an extended periods of time.

SHOULD I NOTIFY MY UTILITY COMPANY THAT I HAVE A GENERATOR?

Yes. Most utilities maintain this type of information and make it available to the line workers that will be working in the area. Power restoration can be delayed while line workers check to see if a generator is being properly used. Having this information beforehand can reduce these delays.

HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?

1) The Cummins Onan Automatic Transfer Panel monitors incoming voltage from the utility line.

2) When utility power is interrupted, the Transfer Panel senses the problem and signals the generator to begin supplying electricity.

3) The transfer panel automatically disconnects the electrical circuits in your home from the utility power line and connects them to your Cummins Onan generator set which continues to supply electricity.

4) When utility power is restored, the electrical circuits in your home are automatically disconnected from your Cummins Onan generator set and reconnected to your utility power line.

WHAT SIZE SYSTEM DO I NEED?

Cummins Onan residential standby power systems are available in a variety of sizes. Your choice will depend on the power (wattage) requirements of your home. Once you have determined the output needed from your generator and the necessary fuel (natural gas or LP), you can specify the emergency power system that is right for you. The generator should be 20% larger than your calculated requirements to support your electrical appliances with electric motors, which sometimes may require up to 2 to 3 times the listed watts to start. Additional capacity also will allow you to add more circuits in the future.