How Do You Know if a Job’s Done Right?
Let’s face it, a standby home generator is no small purchase. It’s an investment in your home, your comfort, and your safety. As a result, you’ll likely do some “shopping around” to compare services and prices. However, one challenge that we often hear is that consumers struggle with evaluating generator companies because of their relative unfamiliarity with the products and services. That makes it hard to select the right installation team. But what makes a home generator installation fail? What does a bad installation even look like?
If you were to look at two home generator installations, could you identify which was done better? If you aren’t familiar with electrical work, how can you differentiate between thorough and rushed work? To help consumers demystify the installation process, let’s raise the curtain and look at a poor generator installation from a Myrtle Beach competitor.
Evidence of a Rushed Sub-Panel Installation
Crunched for time and trying to cut corners? There is no excuse for not taking the time to make sure electrical work on a home generator is done right. Let’s walk through the image below and identify why this installation receives a failing grade.
Starting with the top left, you’ll notice improperly cut conduit entry holes. Moreover, there are not any seals on the entry holes. National and local codes require conduit entry bushings that protect wire insulation from water and other environmental factors. Similarly, missing terminal covers leave energized conductors exposed to rainwater.
On the top right, you’ll see a utility terminal guard whose installation prevents the back cover from completely closing. In another instance, the installers have used solid copper AC wiring for DC control conductors. Following factory requirements, the installer should have used stranded copper instead of solid copper. Whether this is a mistake or a technician trying to save time by using what materials are on hand, the result is a lousy installation. As a result, unsealed holes, exposed conductors, and the wrong wiring make this home generator system subject to damage from rain and wind.
Elsewhere we found evidence of sloppy workmanship. We found stripped terminal lugs, more exposed conductors, and metal shavings littering the enclosure from a sloppy hole punch. Additionally, the unit also needed an air filter.
Get the Workmanship You Deserve and Pay For
A home generator system and installation are in the thousands of dollars. Ultimately, you deserve quality work done right the first time. In the case above, any money saved with a cheap and fast installation is quickly lost to repairs needed soon after.
Cooper Electrical Services ensures every generator installation meets national codes and industry standards. We may not always be the cheapest quote you receive, but we guarantee to do the job correctly the first time. With a piece of equipment designed for emergencies, don’t you want the best team available in charge of the installation? Call Cooper Electrical Services, the area’s top electrical contractor and generator team, for your next installation or repair.