Section 2 — Installation
Guardian
STANDBY GENERATOR INSTALLATION
DANGER
Connecting this generator to an electrical system normally supplied by an electric utility shall be by means of a transfer switch (such as the Generac “GTS” type transfer switch), so as to isolate the electric system from the utility distribution system when the generator is operating. Failure to isolate the electric system by these means will result in damage to the generator and may also result in injury or death to utility workers due to backfeed of electrical energy.
If an open bottom is used, the
Only qualified, competent installation contractors or electricians thoroughly familiar with applicable codes, standards and regulations should install this standby electric power system. The installation must comply strictly with all codes, standards and regulations per- taining to the installation.
After the system has been installed, you must not do anything that might render the installation in noncom- pliance with such codes, standards and regulations.
NOTE:
For more information about the installation of a stand- by system, you can order
◆NFPA STANDARDS
The following published standards booklets pertaining to standby electric systems are available form the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269:
•NFPA No. 37, STATIONARY COMBUSTION ENGINES AND GAS TURBINES.
•NFPA No. 76A, ESSENTIAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.
•NFPA No. 220, STANDARD TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
•NFPA No. 68, GUIDE FOR EXPLOSION VENTING
•NFPA No. 70, NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE.
•NFPA No. 30, FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS CODE.
•NFPA No. 10, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND USE OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
◆OTHER PUBLISHED STANDARDS
In addition to NFPA standards, the following informa- tion pertaining to the installation and use of standby electric systems is available:
•Article X, NATIONAL BUILDING CODE, available from the American Insurance Association, 85 John Street, New York, N.Y. 10038.
•AGRICULTURAL WIRING HANDBOOK, obtainable from the Food and Energy Council, 909 University Avenue, Columbia, MO, 65201.
•ASAE
NANCE OF FARM STANDBY ELECTRIC POWER, available from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
•A52.1, AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD FOR CHIMNEYS, FIREPLACES AND VENTING SYS- TEMS, available from the American National Standard Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018.
•NEC HANDBOOK available from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, PO Box 9146, Quincy, MA
2.1 BASIC STANDBY ELECTRIC SYSTEM
Figure 2.1 shows a schematic diagram of a basic stand- by electric system. Both the UTILITY power supply and the STANDBY (generator) output are connected to an approved transfer switch. The transfer switch is required by electrical code and serves the following functions:
•Permits the LOAD circuits to be connected to only one power supply at a time.
•Prevents electrical backfeed between STANDBY power and the UTILITY power circuits.
Notice that both the STANDBY and the UTILITY power supplies to the transfer switch are protected against overload by a main line circuit breaker.
NOTE:
Generac recommends the use of a Generac Power Systems
8 Generac® Power Systems, Inc.
