Keep your home powered during an outage with a safe and convenient connection for your portable generator. TYFAR Electric provides professional GenerLink installation in Ottawa, allowing compatible portable generators to supply power through your home’s existing electrical panel without the need to run extension cords throughout the house.
Installed between your electrical meter and meter base, GenerLink is a meter-mounted transfer device that automatically isolates your home from the utility supply when generator power is being used. This prevents dangerous backfeeding while allowing you to choose which circuits in your electrical panel you want to power, within the capacity of your generator.
Is GenerLink Right for Your Home?
If you already own a portable generator, let us know the make and model when requesting your quote. Our team will follow up with you to gather photos of your electrical meter, meter base, electrical panel and main breaker so we can help determine whether a GenerLink installation is suitable for your home.
What Is a GenerLink Transfer Switch?
GenerLink is a transfer device installed at your home’s electrical meter that provides a connection point for a compatible portable generator. Instead of installing a separate generator panel containing only a handful of selected circuits, GenerLink allows generator power to enter through your existing electrical service and electrical panel.
During an outage, you connect your compatible portable generator using the appropriate GenerLok power cord and manage your home’s electrical loads using the breakers already in your panel. This gives you flexibility to power the circuits that matter most while staying within the output capacity of your generator.
Depending on the generator and the electrical loads in your home, this could include essentials such as your refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, well pump, furnace, lighting, receptacles and other selected loads.
Benefits of a GenerLink for Your Home
A GenerLink provides a simple and flexible way to use a compatible portable generator during a power outage. Because generator power is supplied through your home’s existing electrical panel, you can choose which circuits to operate based on what you need and the available capacity of your generator.
Use Your Existing Electrical Panel
Instead of running extension cords throughout your home, GenerLink allows generator power to be distributed through your existing electrical panel. This can make it possible to operate both receptacles and hardwired equipment during an outage.
Choose Which Circuits to Power
You aren’t limited to a small group of circuits permanently selected for a separate generator panel. You can manage your electrical loads at the main panel, turning circuits on or off as needed while staying within the capacity of your portable generator.
Safely Isolates Generator Power From the Utility
GenerLink uses transfer technology that prevents your portable generator from feeding electricity back onto the utility system. This protects against dangerous backfeeding and provides a proper connection between your generator and home electrical system.
Ready When the Power Goes Out
Once professionally installed, the GenerLink remains permanently mounted at your electrical meter. When an outage occurs, you can connect your compatible portable generator using the appropriate GenerLok cable and follow the proper startup procedure.
No Separate Generator Subpanel Required
Because GenerLink supplies generator power through your existing electrical panel, a separate generator subpanel is generally not required. This also gives you greater flexibility in choosing which household circuits to operate during an outage.
How Does a GenerLink Work During a Power Outage?
When utility power goes out, GenerLink allows you to temporarily supply your home’s electrical panel from a compatible portable generator. The transfer device keeps generator power isolated from the utility system while allowing you to manage the circuits you want to operate from your existing electrical panel.
The process is straightforward:
1. Utility Power Goes Out
When an outage occurs, your home loses its normal supply from Hydro Ottawa. The GenerLink remains installed at the electrical meter, ready for connection to your portable generator.
2. Connect Your Portable Generator
Position the generator outdoors in a safe location and connect it to the GenerLink using the compatible GenerLok power cord. Portable generators must always be operated outdoors and positioned according to the generator manufacturer’s safety and clearance requirements.
3. Start the Generator
Once connected, start the generator according to the manufacturer’s instructions. GenerLink automatically prevents generator power from being fed back onto the utility system and allows the generator to supply your home’s electrical panel.
4. Choose the Circuits You Need
Use your existing electrical panel to manage which circuits are powered. Essential loads might include your refrigerator, freezer, furnace, sump pump, well pump, lighting, internet equipment and selected receptacles.
The total electrical load must remain within the capacity of both your generator and the GenerLink system, so high-demand appliances and equipment may need to be used selectively.
5. When Hydro Ottawa Power Returns
Once utility power has been restored, shut down and disconnect your portable generator according to the proper procedure. Your home can then return to normal utility power.
Is My Portable Generator Compatible With GenerLink?
GenerLink is compatible with many portable generators, but not every generator is suitable for every GenerLink installation. Before purchasing a GenerLink or generator specifically for home backup power, it’s important to confirm that the generator’s electrical output, receptacle configuration and other specifications are compatible with the transfer device.
GenerLink is currently available in 30-amp and 40-amp configurations. The appropriate model depends on the generator you plan to use and the electrical requirements of your home. Current GenerLink models are designed for compatible 120/240-volt portable generators, with continuous capacities up to approximately 7,200 watts for the 30A model and 9,600 watts for the 40A model.
What We Need to Check
When TYFAR reviews a portable generator for a GenerLink installation, some of the important considerations include:
- Generator make and model
- Rated and continuous wattage
- 120/240V output
- Available generator receptacle type and rating
- Generator GFCI configuration
- GenerLink model and compatible GenerLok cord
- Your home’s electrical service and meter configuration
- The electrical loads you expect to operate during an outage
Already Own a Generator?
Great — don’t buy anything else yet.
Send TYFAR a clear photo of the generator’s model/specification label and the receptacles on the generator, along with photos of your home’s electrical meter and electrical panel. We can review the information and help determine whether your existing generator is suitable for a GenerLink installation.
Buying a Generator Specifically for GenerLink?
Talk to us before choosing one. A generator’s advertised maximum wattage doesn’t tell the whole story, and having a large receptacle on the generator doesn’t automatically mean it is compatible with a particular GenerLink model.
We’ll help you identify the electrical specifications that matter so you can choose equipment that works properly with your home and the GenerLink system.
GenerLink Installation in Ottawa
A GenerLink installation involves more than simply connecting equipment to your electrical meter. Because the device is installed between the meter and meter base, the installation must be coordinated with the local electrical utility and completed in accordance with applicable electrical requirements.
TYFAR Electric can review your existing electrical service, confirm GenerLink and generator compatibility, and coordinate the installation process for homeowners in Ottawa and surrounding communities.
Hydro Ottawa recognizes GenerLink and other meter-base-mounted transfer devices within its electrical service requirements. When utility coordination is required, our team handles the electrical side of the process so you know what to expect from the initial review through installation.
Serving Ottawa and Surrounding Areas
TYFAR Electric provides residential electrical services throughout Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Stittsville, Carp, Dunrobin, Manotick, Gloucester, Greely, Arnprior and surrounding areas.
Get a Quote for GenerLink Installation
Ready to add portable generator backup power to your home? Whether you already own a generator or are still deciding which generator to purchase, TYFAR Electric can help determine the right GenerLink setup for your home.
Submit a quote request with your contact information and let us know whether you already own a portable generator. Our team will follow up with you to gather the information and photos needed to review your installation.