15kW Residential Standby Generator

After a bit of research, I settled on a bit of a wish list:

Whole House Backup - I did not want to only have 8 circuits with backup power.

Liquid Propane powered - no natural gas available where I live.

Minimum generator power - 12kW.

200Amp automatic transfer switch - no intervention required.

Weekly self test.

Cold weather operation (lowest avg. daily temp in January = -14 deg C / +7 deg F )

The ability to self install most of the unit, except for the Propane and final electrical tie-in.

This short list led me to consider two units from Eaton/Cutler-Hammer - a 12kW or 15kW whole house standby generator system. I did consider the Generac product line, but the "kit" offered did not include a whole house package, only 8 circuits would be available. I could buy the kit and then add a whole house transfer switch, and then try and sell the 8 breaker pony panel, but I was not interested in that hassle. With wish list firmly in mind, I set off to scout out some suppliers.

The price difference between the units was only $1000 CDN, so I opted for the larger capacity unit (which looked a bit better too - in my opinion). Here are the specs.

The Electrical Safety Authority (which inspects the completed work to give approval), was almost impossible to deal with. You dial a toll free number, and speak to a non-technical person in a town 500 km away who refers you to a website to submit questions that might be answered (posted on the web) within a week. To talk to a local electrical inspector about codes and requirements you have to take out a work permit. If you don't use the permit within a year, it expires and you have to start all over again. Due to the impeding arrival of winter, I ended up talking to a local contractor that had all the required tradespeople on staff. If you are in the North Bay area, give Bernard Rochefort Ltd (Astorville) a call. It was a bit more expensive than doing it myself with subcontractors, but it was done in a timely manner and the installation was much better than I could manage on my own.

Well, we've had the generator for a month or so now, and I am pleased to say it meets all my expectations. It runs very quietly (when the covers are on) and makes about the same noise as a lawnmower or snowblower sitting about 20 feet away from the house. With the normal background noises in the house, you are hard pressed to hear it do its weekly test on Sunday morning. The only way to know of course, is to check the hours meter that I installed on the transfer switch. Here is how the installation went (click on any picture for a larger view in a new window).