Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10:16
As in my earlier post I install the change over switches and input sockets on a regular basis living just north of Gympie as we get frequent outages. Having an earth on the generator is of no real importance as the house earth is used and the RCD/s (safety switch/es) operate as they should. The only time there are problems is when the generator has an RCD fitted, this will trip when the genie is connected to the input socket because of the MEN (multiple earthed neutral) at the house switch board. The first time I had this problem was when a customers genie died and they hired one that was fitted out for construction sites with an RCD, This client had a very small solar system and needed the genie to charge his batteries.
There are a lot of houses around where I live that are on pure solar (batteries &
Inverters) that are "under panelled" and rely on a generator to top up batteries during the day, some systems I have seen are only 750watt
inverters with very small amphour reserve of batteries, I have done the 240v side of a few "proper" installs (5-7 Kw) that still have the input socket to top the batteries when required, same change over switch and input socket I install for those on mains.
As for overloading genie - I advise customers to NOT try and use high load devices such as laser printers, Hot water
services, airconditioners cookers etc as most only use a 2.0 kva genie, I have got the input socket where I am renting and have worked out what I can and can't run off the genie and turn off those things when I put the genie on, we rely on tank water where I live (whole area) and to even go to the toot requires power for the water pump, thus they really are a necessary part to life up here.
Shane
I hope this has provided a bit more clarity for some of you
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