generator

Episode 8: Generators

generator
Blog

Episode 8: Generators

Installing Generators Safely with Trevor Tremblay

Trevor Tremblay, technical advisor at ESA, guides us through the current trends in generation installation and the common challenges Licensed Electrical Contracting businesses may face.

With climate change bringing about more severe storms, it’s no longer a matter of if, but when households will face more weather-related outages. The most recent windstorm in May is another stark reminder that homeowners and businesses need to be prepared in extreme weather situations.

That’s why Trevor Tremblay, technical advisor at ESA, said he’s seeing an increase in demand for the installation of generators.

“People are turning to whole-home transfer switches and generators,” Tremblay said. “Just to make sure that it's automatic when the storm happens, if they're not home, everything keeps running.”

In this episode, host Karen Ras discusses with Trevor how to safely install generators. They’ll discuss the different types of generators, the common challenges Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) may find in installation and the permit requirements to get the job done.

The basics of generator installation

There’s more than one type of generator, and if LECs want to be prepared to conduct a safe installation, they need to understand the differences.

The two main types of generators are portable and standby generators. Portable generators are limited to 12 kilowatts, and, if you have 240 volts, they need to be grounded to the frame. Standby generators, on the other hand, don’t face the same requirements.

“For standby, there is no limit in size and, essentially, it just has to be marked if the neutral is grounded to the frame or not. It doesn't have to be grounded,” Tremblay said.

Another important factor with generators is their location. You have to ensure that arcing and sparking devices are not installed too close to where your pressure relief valves for propane or natural gas are located.
 
“We do deem the generator an arcing and sparking device,” Tremblay said. “So that generator itself has to be at least one meter away for natural gas, and three meters for propane.”

Once you’re confident your client has the correct type of generator for their needs and safe installation location, LECs should start to think about what notifications may be necessary for the project, such as ESA permits. 

The ESA recommends notifying the utility company if the generator is running in parallel with the utility. If the inverter has grid tie capabilities, then a notification should be issued. 

“We will notify them with a connection order saying there is generation in parallel – even if it doesn't backfeed the grid, but has capabilities of it,” he said.

Permit requirements also depend on the project. If you have a meter mounted plug in transfer device , you don't need a permit but your local LDC may require one. But for more permanent generators – like those that are hard-wired or on standby – a permit is required to do the wiring.

Tremblay also reminds LECs that it’s required to go through ESA Plan Review for standby generators for life safety systems.

“It will save you a lot of money. A lot of times we get there and people have spent a lot of money on an installation and we're writing defects,” he said. “So it's quick, it's easy, it's cheap. And it's a requirement now in the Code.”

Once the installation is complete, it’s important to remember that generators need upkeep and maintenance to ensure they’re safe. Tremblay recommends continual testing in order to keep the generator functioning as it should.

“Maintenance is very important,” Tremblay said. “It should be done frequently, as per any other electrical equipment.”

Grounding and bonding

In his work, Tremblay is seeing a lot of issues with grounding and bonding in generator installations – especially with transfer switches to standby generation.

“Grounding and bonding across the board is probably the most misunderstood part of the code,” Tremblay said. “It's always changing and it seems everyone still thinks everything goes to ground. No, everything will use ground as a path back to the source to complete the circuit. Nothing essentially goes to ground if it doesn't have to. It's there as a safety measure.”

In 2018, the ESA code was altered to simplify the instances when neutral grounding is necessary. They introduced the term ‘separately derived system’, which means no hot or neutral conductors should be connected to hot or neutral conductors from the utility.

“You can interconnect the bondwires and grounding, but you can't interconnect the neutral and the hot conductors. So, essentially, what they want to do is make sure that you only ground a system once after you establish it.”

There’s more information available on separately derived systems on the website. Listen to the full episode to hear even more of Tremblay’s advice on safely installing generators.

Follow Grounded in Ontario wherever you get your podcasts. Got a technical question or an idea for an upcoming topic on our show, we want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@esasafe.com.

Back to Grounded in Ontario Podcast

Content Related to this Episode

Bulletin 10-24-2

Bulletin 10-20-6

Bulletin 10-10-9

Bulletin 2-22-3

Bulletin 2-11-25

You can now submit your plan review online using the Plan Review Portal. You must be an ESA account customer to use the portal.

Follow and Subscribe to Grounded in Ontario

Apple Podcasts Logo
Spotify Logo
Amazon Music Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
question mark image

We want to hear from you! Email us your questions & topic ideas!


Do you have an electrical question or topic idea for Grounded in Ontario? Email it to us and your question or topic suggestion could be featured in an upcoming episode!

podcast@esasafe.com

Other Episodes

ESA Inspector

Episode 17: The Future of Energy Storage Systems

Learn more about installation guidelines, including using fine-strand cables, maintaining one-meter working spaces, and adhering to location restrictions like avoiding crawlspaces or bedrooms, to reduce severe hazards.

Release date: December 10th, 2024

ESA Inspector

Episode 16 - Exploring a Career as an ESA Inspector

ESA’s Technical Advisor, Diana Madill, shares her inspiring career journey from electrician to inspector and helps break down the role and responsibilities of this critical position.

Listen Now

car charging

Episode 15 - EV Supply Equipment

With changing technology comes updated requirements. Tips on adjustable amperage settings, the need for disconnects, plan review requirements and the importance of upgrading service when installing an EV.

Listen Now

knob and tube

Episode 14 - Knob & Tube Wiring

Learn best practices for LECs dealing with knob and tube wiring to ensure safety and adherence to regulations.

Listen Now

permanent holiday lighting

Episode 13 - Hot Topics

Learn about some hot topics every LEC needs to hear, including changes to meter base standards, issues with ventilated 3R transformers & permanent holiday lighting.

Listen Now

man using app on ipad

Episode 12 - Piloting Remote Inspections

Learn more about remote inspections, a new inspector mapping tool and how ESA will implement feedback into its initiatives.

Listen Now

inspector

Episode 11: Risk-based Oversight

Tips and advice on how to improve your defect ratio, so you can focus less on inspections and more on your business

Listen Now

inspector

Episode 10: Top 10 Defects (Part 2)

Trevor Tremblay, technical advisor at ESA, returns to finish the list of the most common defects recorded – and explains how LECs can be prepared to avoid them in their work.

Listen Now

inspector

Episode 9: Top 10 Defects (Part 1)

Last year, inspectors wrote more than 143,000 defects. On this episode, we will cover the most common defects recorded and what Licensed Electrical Contractors should keep in mind to be compliant.

Listen Now

contractor

Episode 7: Underground Economy Revisited

Individuals working in the underground economy (without proper licences or permits) undermine the public’s trust in the electrical industry.

Listen Now

Safety Code Book

Episode 6: Electrical Safety Code Changes

On May 5, a new edition of Ontario Electrical Safety Code is going to be enforced. This episode covers all of the updates you should mindful of.

Listen Now

solar panels

Episode 5: Energy Storage Systems

With the cost of battery storage coming down, more businesses, industries and homeowners are going grid independent. Learn about upcoming OESC rules on this episode of Grounded in Ontario.

Listen Now

Home renovation

Episode 4: Underground Economy

Last year, ESA received more than 350 anonymous tips about unlicensed contractors. In this episode, we’ll explain what we’re doing to keep Ontarians safe from these fraudulent workers.

Listen Now

gfci outlet

Episode 3: Arc Fault and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Arc faults are a leading cause of fire hazards in a home. We discuss when, where to install AFCI/GFCI, as well as nuisance tripping.

Listen Now

electrical vehicle charging system

Episode 2: EV Supply Equipment

With gas prices on the rise and EV prices going down, EV charging systems are a hot commodity. Here’s how to safely install them

Listen Now

hot tub and pool

Episode 1: Pools & Hot Tubs

It's summertime which means being inundated with calls for pools and hot tub installations! Are you up to Code?

Listen Now