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FKEC offers GenerLink™, a Safe and Simple Way to Connect Your Portable Generator.
- GenerLink is a meter collar device which allows co-op members to safely and easily connect a portable generator to their home without risky do-it-yourself rewiring and hazardous extension cords. It’s designed and rated to connect directly to a standard household electric service, located behind the electric meter.
- When you connect and start your portable generator, GenerLink automatically disconnects your house from the electric utility grid. That prevents the possibility of dangerous power back-feeds which can potentially damage equipment and/or harm you and our utility personnel.
- Get total flexibility and control. Once the generator standby switch disconnects your home from the electric grid, you can simply control which appliances you want to use by flipping the breakers in your existing electric panel.
- Once installed, connecting your portable generator takes less than a minute with GenerLink.
- GenerLink will be installed by an FKEC Technician, behind a member’s electric meter and requires no rewiring of the member’s electrical system.
- GenerLink model (MA24-S) is for generators up to 10,000 watts and includes whole-house surge protection.
Purchase Price: $950 + tax
The purchase price includes either a L14-30 or 14-50 plug on a 20-foot/10 gauge Generlock™ power cord. Generlock is a unique fitted connector that allows you to plug your generator directly into GenerLink without needing a separate interconnection box. The quick-connect cord is specific for each generator, so the style of plug required by the generator must be known when ordering the GenerLink device. Longer cords can be purchased directly through GenerLink, the device manufacturer.
The device will be billed to your electric account after it has been installed.
Please note: FKEC May require the member to obtain written approval from the condominium association before the unit can be installed.
For more information or to place an order, call FKEC Member Service at (305) 852-2431.
Learn more at Generlink.com
Installation
- FKEC installs 1-2 weeks from purchase date.
- Installation takes about one hour.
- The homeowner must be present to review safety checklist with FKEC installer
- Your home’s electric panel must be 200 amps or less.
Generator
GenerLink is only for use with portable generators (up to 10,000 watts) to be temporarily connected.
Remember, the capacity of your generator determines the amount of power supplied to your home, not the GenerLink device. Homeowners should purchase a generator that is rated to run the largest appliances needed during an outage.
Download Generlink’s Generator Compatibility Chart.
Generator Safety and Proper Use
Improper use of portable generators can cause serious injury to residents, repair crews, and damage to homes and appliances. Prior to Hurricane season, inspect your generator and give it a test run. This is also a good time to check your extension cords to make sure they are in good condition.
Always follow your generators instructions and remember these safety tips:
- Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring without a Generlink or other approved interconnect device. Power from a generator connected to a home’s wiring will “back feed” into utility lines, potentially injuring or killing utility crew working to restore service.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator’s outlet.
- Use a heavy-duty extension cord rated for outdoor use to keep the generator safely outdoors.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for grounding the generator.
- Always thoroughly read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe operation of your generator.
- Remember, gasoline-powered generators produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes. Never run generators inside, or in a garage!
- Keep generators away from all open windows – including neighbors’ windows – so deadly exhaust (carbon-monoxide) does not enter the home or business.
- To be safe, buy a battery-operated carbon-monoxide alarm when you buy your generator. It works like a smoke alarm, sounding an alert if carbon-monoxide levels become dangerous.
- Be a good neighbor. If the power is out, your neighbors are probably sleeping with their windows open. Consider that the sound of your generator may not be music to everyone’s ears!
- Don’t leave a running generator unattended; turn it off at night and when away from home.
- Never refuel a hot generator or one that is running; hot engine parts or exhaust can ignite gasoline.
- Turn off all connected appliances before starting your generator.
- Turn connected appliances on one at a time, never exceeding the generator’s rated wattage.
- Overloading the generator can result in damage to appliances it is powering.
- You don’t need to run everything at the same time. Rotating larger items allows the use of a smaller generator, which costs less to buy and is easier to move.
- Refrigerators may only need to run a few hours a day to preserve food. Using a refrigerator thermometer, aim to maintain 40 degrees in the refrigerator compartment and 0 degrees in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call FKEC Member Service at 305-852-2431. The GenerLink™device can only be installed by an FKEC technician.
The device will be billed to your electric account after it has been installed.
Yes. GenerLink™ is an interconnection device that enables you to connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring system. During a power outage, your generator becomes your source of emergency back-up power. GenerLink™ is designed as an alternative to expensive transfer switches and hazardous extension cords.
You will want a generator that can run the largest appliances and motors you will need during an outage. The capacity of the generator will determine the power load and number of appliances the can be operated simultaneously. Changing which appliances receive power is then as simple as turning circuit breaker switches on and off. The GenerLink™ is designed to function as an interconnection device and serves to connect your generator to your home. There is no risk of damage to your appliances created by the device however, you should exercise care when selecting your generator to ensure you are buying a high quality generator.
Your generator continues to power your home until you turn it off. Once you turn off your generator, GenerLink™ will automatically switch your home back to utility power. GenerLink™ has a built-in safety feature that prevents back feeding the generator’s power into the utility lines, eliminating hazardous conditions for you and for utility service personnel.
There is no regular maintenance required for the GenerLink™. However, it is recommended that you test your generator every 3 months.
No, your utility meter will only run when the utility is providing electric power to your home. When using the GenerLink™ device, with your portable generator, you are automatically disconnected from the utility power supply and will not reconnect until you turn off your generator.
There are three indicator lights on the GenerLink™, one green, one yellow, and one red.
- When the green light is illuminated, this represents a normal condition where utility power is present. When your utility has restored power you can de-energize and disconnect your generator from GenerLink™.
- When the yellow light is illuminated, this indicates that the household load is greater than 30 amps. It is normal for the yellow status light to be illuminated while utility power is present. The load must be reduced by turning off circuit breakers before the GenerLink™ unit can be operated with a generator.
- If the red light is illuminated at any time or in conjunction with the green light, there is a potential problem and you should have the unit serviced immediately. (Refer to the Terms and Conditions for service instructions)
Your generator should have a circuit breaker that will activate in the event of an overload. If it does not have this feature, it is not suitable for use with GenerLink™. If the generator’s circuit breaker trip’s, turn off all the household circuit breakers in your breaker panel, reset the circuit breaker on the generator, and restart the generator. Please refer to your generator owner’s manual for complete instructions on the safe operation of your generator.
To remove, replace, or repair your GenerLink™, you must contact FKEC. Only FKEC technicians have access to the GenerLink™ device. Do not, under any conditions, attempt to remove and/or repair GenerLink™ yourself. If the homeowner moves, a transfer of the GenerLink™ may be requested for only $100.00.