So you finally invested in a generator (or you’re just about to). They’re great for providing power when the electricity goes out. But what do you do when the generator itself goes out? While unlikely to happen there is one thing that can cause your generator to burn itself out: a power surge. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the causes of a power surge, and how you can prevent it from impacting your generator.
WHAT A SURGE LOOKS LIKE
A sudden surge of energy in any device (generator, appliance, or other devices) will cause it to clearly malfunction, and possibly damage or even disable it. In the case of a generator surge, your lights may pulse and burn much brighter for a moment, before dimming and flickering or completely burning out. An appliance experiences a power surge similarly – it may run must faster than normal before crashing.
WHAT CAUSES A SURGE?
If you know some of the factors that can cause a generator to surge, it will help you prevent it from happening. Here are a few possibilities:
- Using the wrong fuel, low-quality fuel, or the wrong amount of fuel can cause a surge. This is because, like any other machine, generators are designed for specific fuels. Make sure you’re using the right one!
- If the capacitor or other components of the generator are malfunctioning, the entire unit could surge. The capacitor may just be old, which will cause fluctuations in power that can lead to a damaging surge.
- Generators should last for many years, but you should definitely consider the age if you start noticing an occasional surge. If it’s around 10 years old or more, you should consider a replacement.
WORTH THE CALL
Regular maintenance is critical to avoiding a power surge. To make sure your generator is ready for anything, it should probably be checked out by an expert as often as once a month. Even a little rust on the exterior could be an indicator that problems are on the horizon. Be ready for the next outage with regular maintenance! If your generator is showing signs of surging. The Bosworth Company can help! Make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.