Keith (Southend) wrote:
I'm on the verge of buying a 2.8KVa or 3.0KVa Petrol Generator and was
wondering whether anyone had any experience with using these as a backup
in case the domestic supply fails? Forinstance, although I have the
computer plugged into a surge protection socket, are generators more
prone to spikes and the like?

I beleive that you can plug these directly into your ring main (switch
off the main incomer) and will effectively power up ALL the house
circuits. (Obviously if you turn on the water heater, cooker and
electric fire you're pushing your luck).

Any thoughts would be welcome

Many thanks


An antisurge socket should be fine but put a small ups on your PC as
they clean up noisy mains, dropouts, power surges, etc really well.

Trust do one at a very reasonable price - i've got my server hanging off
an energy protector 650 - which also comes with a telephone line filter,
not that i use it as i have cable. This will keep your PC running whilst
you start your generator up.

3KVa is approximately 3Kw into a resistive load which should be enough
to power your lighting, a small kettle (handy for boiling eggs) and your PC.
==
There is an element of government manipulation about this - they've
brought up nuclear power again - the Daily Mail stated that companies
like RWE and E-on were going to stop exporting gas to the UK. Not that
you would want to believe the daily mail says... but considering that
they both own 100% of npower and powergen respectively would be a very
good case for not allowing foreign ownership of british utility
companies. And of course London is lit up by EDF - electricity de france
and British Gas is, in reality, French Gas.
==
Wembley Stadium will be lit up by the Germans. Could be bad news for the
next time England are beating Germany at Wembley when all the lights
mysteriously go out. England Fans Discuss. Scottish, Welsh and Irish
fans smile at the thought

les

--
Les Crossan,
Wallsend, Tyne & Wear
54.95N 1.5W
Home of the Wallsend StormCam and the Backup USW FAQ -
www.uksevereweather.org.uk