Generator Installation

Beach Electrical provides professional home generator installation to keep your power on. Our licensed electricians install standby and portable generator systems in Felton, CA.

Get Free Consultation Call (831) 246-4014

Top Generator Installation in Felton, CA

A power outage can be a major disruption, cutting you off from the essential systems you rely on for comfort and safety. A home backup generator provides peace of mind, automatically keeping your lights, refrigerator, and critical equipment running when the grid goes down. Beach Electrical specializes in the safe and reliable installation of home standby generators. With over 30 years of experience, we can help you choose the right size generator and install it with a code compliant automatic transfer switch. Our C10 licensed electricians handle the entire installation process. As 70E and OSHA 30 certified professionals, we prioritize your safety above all. Be prepared for any outage with a generator installed by Beach Electrical in Felton.

Get Free Consultation Call (831) 246-4014
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Meenu Agroia
Meenu Agroia
July 29, 2025

Jason is professional and knowledgeable. He did an amazing job with the electrical in my home. Hands down, the best I have met. He fixed the situation the others did not.

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Jeanette Guire
Jeanette Guire
January 22, 2025

Great company. Searched out reason my outlets didn’t work. Went over and beyond to correct the problem. Responsive and reasonable.

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Faith Reid
Faith Reid
January 6, 2025

If I could give ten stars, I would. Jason was available on a weekend (!) for an emergency but still with reasonable rates! He was efficient and explained all he was doing in the process. I will use his company for any future work, and I recommend you do as well. AND licensed and bonded, so I knew the work he was doing would keep me safe!

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Paul M
Paul M
October 12, 2024

I cannot say enough, good things about this organization! They absolutely did a fantastic job, and they were great to deal with. I will certainly keep them in mind for any other needed repairs and for any other major projects in the future. Do not call any other electrician just call Beach Electric you will be glad you did.

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Carol Patten
Carol Patten
August 23, 2024
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Janice Gidcumb
Janice Gidcumb
June 20, 2024

I called Beach Electric, Jason came right out within an hour of my call. He was very reasonable, $400 cheaper then the Electrical company that I had previously gotten a quote from. He did an excellent job, he was easy to communicte with. He told me exactly what he was going to do and why, being a women with no knowledge of electricity he explained so I understood it. I highly recomment Jason Beach a fantastic electrician and excellence in business skills, very fair, reasonable and in a timely manner. Janice Gidcumb

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Jeff Hall
Jeff Hall
April 4, 2024

Jason’s expertise truly shone through! He promptly addressed our issue with finesse, demonstrating mastery in resolving it. Highly commendable!

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cherie hung
cherie hung
March 29, 2024

I had an emergency, a branch took out my wire and hub and grounds. It was scary. Jason was very fast and responsive. He looked at the job and quoted a price, but then when investigating the job more in detail, he realized it was a more complex project. He worked with the permit dept, pge and kept me informed though out the process. It all went smoothly and he even followed up the next day to check up with me to make sure all was fine. He's local here in Felton and a wonderful human. Cherie

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Joseph Beasley
Joseph Beasley
March 28, 2024

I have recently had the opportunity to utilize the services of Jason Beach to handle some electrical issues at my home. When I contacted him, he responded immediately and worked tirelessly in the pouring rain to locate the issue with my electrical service. I was very pleased with his efforts and highly recommend him to all. Thank you Jason! Joe Beasley

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Betsy Wootten
Betsy Wootten
March 27, 2024

Jason Beach is an excellent electrician. He is prompt, knowledgeable, experienced, easy to work with, reasonably priced, and very good at problem-solving. He sees areas that need addressing and finds the perfect solution to fix them. I have recommended Beach Electrical to my friends. He goes the extra mile to rectify any electrical needs you may have, and always keeps the client informed. I highly recommend Beach Electrical.

Our Generator Installation Service Locations

Beach Electrical is proud to offer expert generator installation services to our valued clients throughout the region. We are committed to providing reliable electrical solutions to numerous communities. Below you will find a complete list of the cities and towns we serve.

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Generator Installation Service in Felton, CA

A professionally installed home generator is your best defense against power outages. Whether the outage is caused by a storm, a wildfire safety shutoff, or an equipment failure, a backup generator can seamlessly restore power to your home in seconds. This allows you to continue your daily life with minimal disruption, keeping your lights on, your food cold, your medical equipment powered, and your home comfortable. Beach Electrical offers complete installation services for both permanently installed standby generators and for portable generator connections. We can help you find the perfect solution to ensure your family’s safety and comfort during any power outage.

The most convenient and reliable option for home backup power is an automatic standby generator. This is a permanent unit, similar in appearance to a central air conditioner, that is installed on a concrete pad outside your home. It is connected directly to your home’s fuel supply, typically natural gas or propane, so it never needs to be refueled. The generator is paired with a device called an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), which is the brains of the system. The ATS constantly monitors the power coming from the utility.

When the ATS detects a power outage, it automatically and safely disconnects your home from the utility grid. It then signals the generator to start up. Within a matter of seconds, the generator is running at full speed, and the ATS automatically switches your home’s electrical panel over to be powered by the generator. This all happens automatically, whether you are home or away. When the utility power is restored, the ATS will detect it, switch your home back to grid power, and then shut down the generator, placing it back in standby mode.

The first step in planning a standby generator installation is to determine the correct size for your needs. Generators are sized by their power output in kilowatts (kW). You can choose a smaller, essential load generator that is sized to power only your most critical circuits, such as your refrigerator, furnace, well pump, and a few lights and outlets. Alternatively, you can choose a larger, whole house generator that has enough capacity to power your entire home, including large appliances like your air conditioner, just as if the grid were still on. Our experts can help you calculate your power needs and choose the right size generator.

The installation of a standby generator is a complex project that requires the skills of both a licensed electrician and a qualified gas plumber. Our team at Beach Electrical handles the entire electrical portion of the installation. This includes installing the automatic transfer switch next to your main electrical panel and carefully wiring it into your home’s electrical system. We then run the necessary power and control wiring from the transfer switch out to the generator’s location. We ensure that every aspect of the installation is performed to the highest standards of safety and is fully compliant with the National Electrical Code.

We can also provide a safe and convenient connection for a portable generator. A portable generator should never be connected to your home with an extension cord running inside. The correct and safe way to use a portable generator is to have an electrician install a manual transfer switch and a generator power inlet box on the outside of your home. During an outage, you can place your portable generator outside, start it up, and then connect it to the inlet box with a single, heavy duty generator cord. You can then use the manual transfer switch to safely power a pre selected set of your home’s circuits.

This manual transfer switch system is a crucial safety device. It ensures that your home is disconnected from the utility grid before it is powered by the generator. This prevents the dangerous and potentially deadly situation of “backfeeding,” where electricity from your generator could travel back out onto the utility lines and injure a utility worker. A professional installation is the only safe way to connect a generator to your home’s wiring. Don’t be left in the dark; contact Beach Electrical to discuss your home backup power options today.

Get Free Consultation Call (831) 246-4014

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We don’t use cookie-cutter fixes; every job is tailored to your property, equipment, and electrical system needs.

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View All Of Our Electrical Services in Felton, CA

We offer a wide range of expert electrical services to meet all your residential and commercial needs. Our team is equipped to handle any project, big or small, with professionalism and skill. Explore our full list of services to see how we can assist you.

What Makes a Great Generator Installation Service

A great generator installation is a turnkey project that includes proper sizing, safe electrical and fuel connections, and a fully tested system. Beach Electrical ensures you are ready for any outage.

  • Expert Sizing and Consultation: We help you choose the right generator for your specific backup power needs.
  • Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Specialists: We are experts in safely and correctly installing the brains of your system.
  • Code-Compliant Installations: Our work meets all NEC and local code requirements for a safe system.
  • Portable Generator Solutions: We also install safe manual transfer switches for portable generators.
  • Complete and Professional Service: We manage the electrical installation from the concrete pad to the final test.
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Most Common Generator Installation Questions

A home backup generator is a significant investment in your family’s safety and comfort, and it is natural to have questions about the different types of generators and the installation process. Understanding your options will help you choose the best backup power solution for your home. Here are answers to the most common questions about generator installation.

The main differences between a portable generator and a standby generator are their power capacity, convenience, fuel source, and cost. A portable generator is a smaller, gasoline powered unit with wheels that you can move around. It has several outlets on it that you can use to power appliances directly with extension cords. To power parts of your home, it requires you to manually set it up outside, start it, and connect it to your home via a manual transfer switch. They are a less expensive initial investment but require significant manual effort during an outage.

A standby generator, on the other hand, is a fully automated, permanent solution. It is a larger, stationary unit that is installed on a concrete pad outside your home, similar to a central AC unit. It is connected directly to your home’s natural gas or propane supply, so it has a continuous fuel source and never needs to be refueled. The key feature of a standby generator is that it works automatically. It is connected to your home’s electrical system through an automatic transfer switch.

When the power goes out, the standby generator system detects the outage, starts the generator, and automatically switches your home over to backup power, all within a matter of seconds. You do not have to do anything. When the utility power returns, the system automatically switches back and shuts the generator off. A standby generator offers a much higher power output than a portable unit and provides a seamless, hands off solution for a whole house backup, but it represents a larger initial investment.

An automatic transfer switch, or ATS, is the essential component that makes a standby generator system fully automatic. It is the “brain” of the entire system. The ATS is an intelligent electrical panel that is installed next to your main circuit breaker panel. It is wired in between your main panel and your electric meter. Its primary job is to constantly monitor the electrical power coming from the utility company. It is always watching to see if the power is on and stable.

The moment the ATS detects that the utility power has been lost, it begins a carefully orchestrated sequence of events. First, it completely and safely disconnects your home’s electrical system from the external utility grid. This is a critical safety step that prevents your generator from sending power back out onto the utility lines. Second, it sends a signal to the standby generator, telling it to start its engine.

Once the ATS senses that the generator is running at the correct speed and producing stable electricity, it then switches your home’s main electrical feed over from the disconnected utility lines to the generator. All of this happens automatically within about 10 to 30 seconds of the initial power failure. The ATS continues to monitor the utility lines, and once it detects that the grid power has been restored and is stable, it will automatically switch your home back to utility power and then signal the generator to shut down.

Choosing the right size generator is the most important decision in the installation process. The size of a generator is measured in kilowatts (kW), which is a measure of its power output. The right size for you depends on what you want to be able to power during an outage. There are two main approaches: backing up essential circuits or backing up the entire house.

An essential load or partial house backup system uses a smaller, more affordable generator, typically in the 7 to 14 kW range. The generator and transfer switch are wired to power only a pre selected number of your home’s most critical circuits. This would typically include your refrigerator and freezer, your furnace fan, your well pump and sump pump, and a few circuits for lights and outlets so you can charge your phone and watch TV. This approach allows you to weather an outage safely and comfortably without the expense of a very large generator.

A whole house backup system uses a larger generator, typically 18 kW or more, that is powerful enough to run virtually everything in your home at the same time, including large 240 volt appliances like your central air conditioner, electric range, and clothes dryer. This provides the ultimate in convenience, as your life can continue with almost no interruption during a power outage. A licensed electrician from Beach Electrical can perform a detailed load calculation for your home to help you determine the exact size generator you would need for either an essential load or a whole house solution.

One of the major advantages of a permanent standby generator is that it is connected to a continuous and reliable fuel source, eliminating the need to store and handle gasoline, which is required for portable generators. The vast majority of residential standby generators are designed to run on either natural gas or liquid propane (LP). The choice of fuel depends on what is available at your home.

If your home is already supplied with natural gas service from the local utility for your furnace or water heater, this is the most convenient and cost effective fuel source for your generator. A licensed plumber will run a new gas pipe from your existing gas meter or main line directly to the generator. Natural gas provides a virtually unlimited fuel supply, so your generator can run for as long as the outage lasts without ever needing to be refueled.

If you do not have natural gas service, which is common in more rural areas, the generator can be fueled by liquid propane from a large storage tank on your property. This is the same type of propane tank that is often used for home heating. The generator is connected to this tank, which can hold enough fuel to run the generator for many days or even weeks, depending on the size of the tank and the load on the generator. A local propane supplier can refill the tank as needed.

There are specific code requirements and manufacturer guidelines that dictate where a standby generator can be safely installed on your property. The generator must be installed outdoors on a stable, level surface. It is typically placed on a pre fabricated composite pad or a poured concrete slab to ensure it is secure and does not vibrate excessively. The location must have adequate clearance on all sides for proper airflow, cooling, and for service access.

Safety clearances from your home are also critical. The generator must be installed a certain minimum distance away from any doors, windows, or fresh air intakes for your home’s HVAC system. This is to prevent the engine’s exhaust fumes, which contain deadly carbon monoxide, from being able to enter your house. The specific clearance distances are set by local building and fire codes, but a common requirement is at least five feet from any opening.

The generator should also be located as close as is practical to both your electric meter and your gas meter. This helps to minimize the length, and therefore the cost, of the electrical conduit and the gas pipe that need to be run to the unit. An experienced installer from Beach Electrical will perform a site survey at your home to help you identify a location that meets all these requirements and is also aesthetically acceptable to you.

Installing a whole house standby generator is a major home improvement project, and the total cost can vary significantly based on the size of the generator and the complexity of the installation. A complete, professionally installed system is a significant investment, but it provides invaluable security and peace of mind. The total project cost can be broken down into three main components: the cost of the generator itself, the cost of the automatic transfer switch, and the cost of the professional installation labor and materials.

The size of the generator is the biggest factor in the equipment cost. A larger, 22 kW generator capable of running a whole house with central air will cost more than a smaller 12 kW model designed for essential circuits. The installation cost is also a major component and depends on the specific layout of your property. Key factors include the distance from the generator’s location to your electrical panel and gas meter, as this determines the amount of trenching, electrical wiring, and gas piping required.

The installation cost covers the skilled labor of the licensed electrician and the licensed plumber, the cost of the concrete pad, all the wiring, conduit, and gas piping materials, and the cost of the electrical and plumbing permits. To get an accurate price for your specific home, you will need an on site consultation. Beach Electrical provides free estimates where we will assess your power needs, evaluate your property, and provide you with a detailed, all inclusive quote for a complete turnkey installation.

No, it is absolutely not safe to connect a portable generator directly to your electrical panel using a homemade cord, often called a “suicide cord.” This practice, known as backfeeding, is extremely dangerous and can have fatal consequences. When you backfeed your panel, you are sending electricity from your generator back out of your house through the main service lines. These are the same lines that utility workers are trying to repair.

The power from your generator will re energize the transformer on the utility pole, stepping the voltage up to thousands of volts. A utility worker who thinks the line is dead could come into contact with this electricity and be seriously injured or killed. This is the primary reason why this practice is not only dangerous but also illegal in all jurisdictions. It creates a life threatening hazard for the men and women who are working to restore your power.

The only safe and legal way to connect a portable generator to your home’s wiring system is through a properly installed transfer switch. A manual transfer switch is a device that is installed next to your main panel. It has a large switch that physically disconnects your panel from the utility lines before it allows power from the generator to enter the panel. This makes it impossible for backfeeding to occur. A licensed electrician must install this transfer switch to ensure your portable generator can be used safely.

A standby generator is a complex piece of mechanical equipment, similar to a car engine, and it requires regular maintenance to ensure it will start and run reliably when you need it most. Most generator manufacturers recommend a maintenance schedule that includes regular inspections and a periodic tune up. Most modern standby generators are programmed to run a self test cycle automatically every week or every other week. During this test, the generator will start itself and run for about 10 to 15 minutes without transferring the load. This helps to keep the engine lubricated and the battery charged.

In addition to this self test, a generator should be visually inspected by the homeowner on a regular basis, perhaps monthly. This involves checking the oil level, making sure the area around the generator is clear of debris, and checking the control panel for any warning lights. It is also important to have the generator professionally serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

A professional maintenance service is typically recommended once a year. During this service, a qualified technician will perform a comprehensive tune up. This includes changing the oil and the oil filter, replacing the spark plugs, and replacing the air filter. The technician will also check the battery, inspect all the electrical connections, and verify that the generator is producing the correct voltage and frequency. This annual professional service is the best way to ensure your significant investment will be ready to perform flawlessly during the next power outage.

Get The Top Generator Installation Near You

For a free, no obligation estimate on your generator installation project, book a call back using our 24/7 self service system or call Beach Electrical directly at (831) 246-4014 today.

Get Free Consultation Call (831) 246-4014