Why Wildfires Often Trigger Power Shutdowns

Fuel-dry vegetation and gusty winds can knock trees into power lines or stress equipment, sparking fires. To reduce danger, PSPS is used preemptively. PGE, Avista, Pacific Power, and others in Oregon and Washington notify customers 24–48 hours ahead when shutoffs may occur.

The Power of Having a Generator

• Backup power during PSPS events: A generator keeps your lights, heating, and vital systems running when the grid goes dark.

• Medical and safety peace of mind: Families relying on medical equipment or needing climate control are better protected.

• Food safety during long outages: Generators preserve refrigeration until the power returns.

• Maintain daily routines: Remote work, cooking, and lighting all continue without interruption.

• Protect against weather extremes: Outages during heat waves or cold snaps present real health risks.

What Local Utilities Recommend

Utilities across the PNW – PGE, Pacific Power, Avista, EWEB, and OTEC – encourage customers in PSPS areas to prepare, especially with generators. Oregon’s PUC advises backup generators for medically vulnerable customers. They stress: generators save lives, not just appliances.

Choosing the Right Generator

Whole‑home standby generators (installed by a licensed electrician) kick on automatically when the grid drops. They run off natural gas, propane, or diesel and keep your home fully functional. Portable generators, on the other hand, can back up critical circuits but require manual setup and cautious handling. Always run them outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide hazards.

Tips to Stay Ready

• Test monthly to ensure reliability during emergencies.

• Schedule annual maintenance with Prairie Electric for full-service tune-ups.

• Keep fuel on hand, especially before wildfire season peaks.

• Install a transfer switch so power integrates safely without risking back-feeding the grid.

Why Prairie Electric is Your Wildfire Season Ally

We understand how PSPS affects Ridgefield, Vancouver, Portland, Tri-Cities, and everywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. Our expert team can help assess your home’s needs, install a dependable generator, and provide ongoing support. We know the PSPS protocols and help you plan ahead, handling safe installation with transfer switches and permits. We also offer maintenance plans to ensure your system is ready for every emergency. Contact us to schedule your generator consultation today.

How Generators Work

At the core, a generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, enabling the supply of power to your home. This process typically involves the following key components:

• Engine: The engine provides the mechanical energy needed to produce electricity. It runs on various fuel sources, including natural gas, propane, diesel, or gasoline.
• Alternator: The alternator takes the mechanical energy from the engine and converts it into electrical energy. This is the part of the generator that produces the electricity.
• Fuel System: This component ensures a steady flow of fuel to the engine. Depending on the type of fuel, this system can be connected to your home’s natural gas line or can use stored fuel like diesel.
• Cooling and Exhaust Systems: Generators create heat, so they need a cooling system to prevent overheating. Additionally, the exhaust system helps vent fumes away from the home to ensure safety.
• Control Panel: This is the brain of the generator. It starts the generator automatically during a power outage and shuts it down once power is restored.

Once a power outage occurs, a home backup generator will automatically activate, ensuring that your critical home systems – such as heating, cooling, refrigeration, and lighting—remain functional. These generators can power your home for hours, days, or even weeks, depending on their size and fuel availability.

Why Install a Home Backup Generator?

Power outages can happen unexpectedly and last anywhere from a few minutes to several days, potentially leading to a variety of problems in your home:

• Safety Risks: Without power, important systems like your security system, heating, and cooling may not function. For homes in areas prone to extreme weather, this can be a safety issue.
• Food Spoilage: Extended power outages can lead to food spoiling in refrigerators and freezers, leading to unnecessary waste.
• Inconvenience: Losing power means no lights, no internet, and no ability to charge devices or keep essential systems running. Having a generator keeps your life moving as usual, even when the grid is down.

Choosing the Right Generator

The right generator for your home depends on your specific needs. For most homeowners, a standby generator is the best option. These are permanently installed outside your home and can run on natural gas or propane, offering automatic and reliable power when needed.

Another option is a portable generator, which is smaller and easier to store but requires manual setup and operation. While portable generators can be useful for temporary outages, they often lack the capacity to power an entire home and may need frequent refueling.

For homeowners looking to ensure the continued operation of specific systems – like medical equipment, security systems, or refrigeration – choosing a standby generator with enough capacity to power essential devices is critical.

Maintenance is Key

To ensure your generator works when you need it most, regular generator maintenance is crucial. This includes checking and replacing fluids, testing battery functions, and inspecting the generator’s components. Prairie Electric offers generator maintenance and repair services, helping you keep your unit in peak condition. Our technicians can also perform diesel generator maintenance, which is essential for homes with diesel-powered backup systems.

Why Choose Prairie Electric for Your Generator Installation?

With decades of experience in backup generator installation, Prairie Electric has the expertise to ensure that your home’s generator system is designed and installed correctly, providing peace of mind when it comes to power outages. Our skilled technicians handle everything from assessing your home’s power needs to installing the right generator and providing ongoing maintenance. Whether you need a new installation or assistance with maintaining your generator, Prairie Electric is ready to help.

For more detailed information on backup generator installation or generator maintenance, visit our Backup Generator Installation and Generator Maintenance and Repairs Service pages.

By investing in a home generator with Prairie Electric, you’ll ensure your home is ready for any power outage – keeping your family safe, your systems running, and your life uninterrupted.

Large generators can kick out 10,000 to 12,000 kW or more, enough to power an entire worksite. If you’re using one of these larger generators for any length of time, it’s important to keep them in good working order throughout the job. If the generator breaks down, it could bring the entire worksite to a standstill.

Diesel Generator Preventive Maintenance Checklist

When using a generator in the field for any length of time, it’s important to check the equipment often. A daily inspection of the generator before work begins is recommended to ensure you’ll have the power you need throughout the day. It’s best of your generator is placed on level ground.

Fuel Levels – It’s a good idea to check the fuel throughout the day so the generator won’t suddenly stop. Add fuel as needed.
Engine Oil Levels – Check to make sure the oil level is between the high and low-level marks. Add more if necessary or drain if there is too much oil. 15-40 weight oil is recommended because it can be used in both warm and cold environments.
Water Fuel Separator – This should be drained at least once a week. The separator removes water and other particles from the fuel to ensure your engine receives clean fuel.
Radiator Reservoir – Check the coolant levels. When low, add a 50-50 coolant water mix to bring back to appropriate levels.
Check belts – Replace belts that are at a failing point. Also, inspect the fan if possible and clean as needed.
Air/Fuel Filters – Although it’s recommended to inspect the air filter monthly, dusty conditions require more frequent maintenance. Regular checks of fuel filters to remove debris are also recommended.
Battery – Make sure the terminal connections are tight and free of corrosion, the white powder-like substance that can affect performance. Make sure to charge the battery fully or check the specific gravity of the unit.
Gauges – During operation, occasionally monitor gauges to see if the generator is running as it should. Oil pressure, water temperature, and other gauges should be clearly visible.
Service history – The dates of any and all major services should be clearly marked. Use these as a guide, along with the hour meter, to determine when these services are required.
Visual Inspection – If you notice leaks from the fuel tank or system, cooling system, or exhaust lines, corrosion, or hear noises during operation, stop the generator and make the necessary repairs. This may require a call to a professional generator service contractor.

Before renting or using a generator at your site, find out when the last service or generator maintenance was performed. If you own the generator, you’ll want to make sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule to get the most out of your equipment.

Generator Installation

While you may need an industrial generator that’s portable during construction, your plant, facility, or commercial building may require a generator to provide backup power as part of the infrastructure. As a Kohler Installation and Service Dealer, Prairie Electric has generators for a wide variety of applications.

Backup power is critical even if power is lost for just a few hours. At home, ice cream may melt, but in other situations, lives could be put in danger or products may be destroyed. We’ve installed generators for food processing plants, healthcare facilities, data centers, business parks, and more.

If you would like to know more about how to maintain your generator, need service for your generator, or have a Kohler generator installed at your home or business, reach out to Prairie Electric. Our generator installation crew has decades of experience and will find the right unit for your needs.

As a homeowner, generators will keep you and your family comfortable, safe, and secure during the strongest weather events. For business owners, you won’t have to worry about lost productivity if there is an outage of some sort. Generators will also keep perishable products from going bad, costing you even more money.

When installed correctly, properly sized generators are workhorses that can run for long stretches of time with little trouble (the only downtime may occur when it’s time for refueling). The key is to keep them serviced: Your generator requires regular maintenance, even when not in use.

How often should a generator be serviced?

Depending on the make and model of your generator, some of the maintenance can be done by generator owners themselves. However, we recommend scheduling an annual inspection with certified, experienced professionals. Even if the generator for your home or business hasn’t been used, there are still steps to take to get the most out of your equipment.

When you have the generator installed, ask if the contractor for a list of preventive maintenance tasks to follow from the manufacturer. It might even make sense to go over the checklist with your installer so you know where the gauges are, how to read them, and other aspects of the equipment that you can maintain. If a maintenance kit is included, go over how these tools are used.

We generally recommend this checklist for monthly maintenance:

• Check oil and coolant levels – Low levels of oil and coolant are a few of the main culprits when a generator sputters, overheats, or just all-out fails. For coolant, locate the reservoir and check the marks on the tank. To check the oil, remove the dipstick, wipe it down, and reinsert it. Pull it out once again and see where the level is on the dipstick. Add more oil if necessary.
• Keep Clear of Debris – Backup generators work best when they have plenty of “elbow room.” Make sure bushes or tree limbs are cleared away from the generator as leaves can enter through the vents and cause disruption. During the winter, make sure snow is cleared away, too. You may even want to make sure no rodents have taken up residence on the interior.
• Clean Starting Battery – Just like with your car’s battery, keeping the nodes clear of corrosion will ensure proper operation. While this should be part of your monthly inspection, make sure to check after an operation, too.
• Air Filter – Check the air filter monthly for a buildup of dust, grime, and other debris, especially after continual use. In dusty areas, you may want to check more often. A clean filter will help keep your power generator running smoothly.

Test Your Generator

In most cases, a generator is put in place to provide backup power when the primary power source goes offline for whatever reason. While we do get the occasional weather event in the Pacific Northwest, most of us will go a year or two or longer without ever losing power.

But you still want to be ready when an outage does occur. Start your generator up once a month to make sure it’s still in good working order. If the generator will be standing idle for months on end, you may want to consider emptying any remaining gas in the generator or letting the generator run until the gas runs out.

Use Fresh Gas
Regular unleaded gas contains a little bit of ethanol to help it burn efficiently and completely, which is great for your car, lawnmower in the summer, and other equipment that is being run consistently. In a generator that is rarely used, however, ethanol can start to bond with water moisture and ruin the integrity of the gas.

So when you’re testing your generator, add just enough gasoline to get it up and running for 15 minutes or so. If you are unsure how to empty any remaining gas, you could let the generator just run dry. However, make sure the generator is unplugged from any devices as the sudden loss of power could cause problems for those devices.

Work With Experience

Regardless if your generator has been used throughout the year or you’ve never experienced a power outage, you should still have a licensed professional perform maintenance at least once a year. They’ll be able to “lift the hood” so to speak for a more intensive look. This includes looking at spark plugs, oil filters, fans, belts, and other parts that need a trained eye.

Prairie Electric has years of installation experience and performing preventative generator maintenance. If you have a generator that needs service, or you’re thinking of having a generator installed, please reach out to Prairie Electric to schedule an appointment. We’ll keep your existing generator in top shape or help you choose the right generator for your property.

When making the decision to provide backup power for your building, it is very important to consider what you’ll be powering. Because generators are often thousands of dollars, making the right choice can often seem like a daunting task.

We have compiled this comparison of portable and home standby generators to help make the important decision process easier.

Portable Generators

At times when power isn’t readily accessible, these generators can be used when needed and then easily removed. Portables are ideal for use when traveling, in areas without proper electrical infrastructure, or when utilities are temporarily shut off for maintenance.

Pros

• Portables are often much cheaper than standby generators.
• If the correct connections are set up, some portables have the capability to power almost as much as standbys.
• The units come with built-in outlets for extension cords in case an automatic transfer switch hasn’t been installed.

Cons

• They aren’t as effective in emergency situations because they have a much lengthier setup. Each time, the unit has to be wheeled out of storage, connected to the transfer switch, and turned on.
• Standby models run on some kind of fuel supply, which is typically propane. In order to stay prepared, users have to keep a stockpile of gasoline and fuel stabilizer on hand. Although there are some models that can run on natural gas or liquid propane.
• Potential safety issues concerning carbon monoxide poisoning and portable generator exhaust have arisen over the years. However, newer models include safety features such as an automatic shutoff when carbon monoxide levels reach a certain level.
• The units will have to have some sort of weather protection set up when in use.
• Portable generators are often much louder because they are not encased in the same way standbys are.
• Their power capabilities typically are much lower than standby generators.

Standby Generators

Standby generators are a great option to stay prepared for any emergency. Because they are much more permanent than portables, they are always ready for surprise power outages. Due to their permanent nature, standby generators kick on automatically when the power goes out, unlike portables.

Pros

• Standby generators tend to have more running power and are more reliable due to their power capabilities and sturdiness.
• They are typically strong enough to power an entire home’s electrical system.
• They turn on automatically when the power goes out.
• Because of their fuel tank, these generators run for days or even weeks without refueling.
• Typically, they are much quieter than portables. This is because the units are often placed into an insulated structure that protects them from the elements.
• Because they are already covered, weather protection isn’t necessary.

Cons

• The standby units are typically much more expensive than portables. Their price range falls around $2,000 to $5,000.
• Because the installation is done by a professional, the installation costs can be higher as well.

Professional Generator Installation

If you choose to install a standby generator in your home or business, you’ll need a trusted team of professionals. Prairie Electric has just that. With over 35 years of experience, we guarantee that the job will be done well and done right.

We work with common sense and responsiveness. We don’t just hire people who are qualified – we want people who can think. Click here to learn more about our passion for our customers.

Our Certified Maintenance Programs
In addition to installations and generator replacements, Prairie Electric offers several maintenance programs that will help keep your generator ready to go. Annual inspections, monthly testing, and tune-ups as needed will ensure your generator will meet or even exceed its expected lifespan.

Contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re looking forward to assisting you with your next commercial or residential power project.

Whether it’s a fallen branch, or a designed shutdown of a particular grid to prevent further damage, having backup power when you need it will keep vital aspects of your home or business up and running. Generators can be designed to keep an entire facility online or to ensure a few key applications stay in operation.

How do generators work?

Without getting into all of the moving parts of generator operation, they can be turned on manually or go into action automatically in the event of an unplanned outage. Backup or standby generators have an automatic transfer switch where the back-up power hooks into the utility power. The automatic transfer switch completely disconnects the utility power and connects to the generator power. This prevents back-feeding of the utility power grid.

When the utility power is interrupted, the transfer switch (1) is tripped, and backup power is provided where directed. When power has been reestablished, the transfer switch goes back to (2) a resting position so to speak. Depending on the age of the generator, there are exterior displays that allow you to check the status of the generator remotely. (1) The transfer switch transfers and (2) Normal utility position.

In some cases, powering the entire building doesn’t make sense. Relay modules allow you to route power to where it’s needed most, allowing non-essential areas to remain dormant. Although generators can be built to provide up to 4 megawatts of power, and several can be used together, relay modules allow you to conserve power when needed. control power to loads when needed.

Types of Generators

When choosing a generator, you’ll need to consider what you’ll be powering. A camper with appliances may not need much more than three of four thousand watts. A precast concrete plant that produces dry wells, manholes and other buried infrastructure will need much more mechanical energy to stay online.

Portable Generators
As the name implies, these generators are used for specific or planned outages. When no power is accessible (camping, new construction sites, etc.), these electrical generators can be used on-site and then removed when no longer needed. These are ideal for use on the road, when infrastructure isn’t currently in place, or when utilities are taken offline for maintenance or other services.

Standby Generators
These generators are meant to stay put, installed in place as part of the power infrastructure. In most cases, power outages aren’t planned, so standby generators are ready to go any time of day or night. Although they may be taken offline for maintenance or servicing.

Both generators run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. If your home is already outfitted with natural gas, it can be tied directly into the generator. Diesel, Propane or Natural gas, gasoline isn’t available in standby generators because of EPA rules.

You’ll always want a little more power than you need at peak times. If you’re considering backup power installation, make sure to work with an electrical contractor with experience in generator sizing and installation. They’ll be able to determine how much power generation you’ll need.

Generator Installation

No two worksites are ever exactly the same. If you’re considering backup power installation, make sure to work with electrical contractors that have specific experience working with backup power and generators. You wouldn’t replace the electrical panel in your home for safety reasons alone. They can design the standby power system that best fits your needs.

The same goes for standby generators, especially when tying into a natural gas line if that’s an option. In addition to the safety factor, an experienced electrician will also know the most efficient spot to place the generator. In addition to those logistics, you’ll also want to consider noise and how exhaust systems are placed, especially in residential use.

Backup Power Maintenance

Just like any piece of machinery, generators need to be maintained. It’s just a matter of how often the back-up power is pressed into service. For example, you’ll probably want to service your camping generator at the start of every season, especially if gas was left in the tank during storage.

If your generator is backing up a 30,000 square foot industrial facility, you’ll want to be more consistent with your maintenance. Not being able to run a TV while tailgating is one thing. If backup power fails at a food processing plant, it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in wasted product.

If the generator is run on gasoline or propane, keeping fuel tanks, fuel filters, and fuel supply lines clean will protect the rest of the generator, allowing it to perform at peak levels. Failing voltage regulators may not allow the proper passage of power, which could put the electrical systems of your facility and the generator itself at risk.

Work With Experience

The Prairie Electric backup power/generator department has more than three decades of experience. As a Kohler Installation and Service Dealer, we work on everything from small electric start backup power to generators weighing several tons, installations, and repair, our technicians receive constant training on newer technology to stay ahead of the generator game.

In addition to generator expertise, Prairie Electric also designs custom panels and automation boards, retrofits entire facilities to keep electrical systems up to code, tying new construction into existing power grids, and more. If you have a question about your residential, industrial or commercial power needs, reach out to Prairie Electric.

Generators, meanwhile, can bring a sense of safety and security to homes and businesses prior to, during, and after natural disasters.

In your house, generator power can bring light during a summer storm and heat if the power is lost during winter.

If power is lost in your community for an extended period of time or if there is a problem with a natural gas line or the gas supply to your neighborhood, a home generator can save you the expense of having to relocate.

This allows you to continue your day-to-day life in comfort with a fuel source in the form of a home standby generator. Your electrical meter won’t spin, but your central air or air conditioning units will.

Generators are designed for homes, large or small, and to meet the needs of whole-house or partial backup power. Homeowners can choose to use a portable generator or a permanent standby generator.

Home Generator Installation

Backup generator installation must always be performed by a certified, licensed electrician. They often have the install guide memorized and can inform you as to best practices for operational safety.

Your local inspector will check the installation to protect not only your safety but also the lineman’s safety while they are working on the electrical lines during an outage.

Improper wiring is very dangerous and can even be fatal.

Proper placement of the generator is also of utmost importance. Generators of any kind should be 10 feet or farther away from the house. They should also have three or four feet of breathing room on all sides.

Portable generators are typically gas-powered, while permanent set generators are natural gas or liquid propane powered. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home would not be a bad idea, either, as a safety precaution. This will detect poisonous air to protect you and your family.

Commercial Backup Generators

Business owners know that a few hours without power means being cut off from work, clients, and potential revenue.

If power is out for days, this could mean severe profit loss and security risk. You need your electrical system to continue functioning regardless of the stability of the larger power grid to which it is attached.

An automatic transfer switch will turn the power on at your business within 10 seconds of utility failure. The generators will work in conjunction with an uninterruptible backup battery supply to deliver constant electricity to servers, hard drives, and data storage equipment.

Why Install A Backup Generator?

No one likes losing power for an extended period of time. It’s not only inconvenient; it can also be destructive. The temperature of your home drops significantly, food in your refrigerator and freezer can go bad.

The wrath of a storm is nothing to mess with, so having a backup generator is a popular investment for homeowners and business owners who need to stay powered up no matter what’s happening around them.

What Is A Backup Generator?

A backup generator is a permanent fixture in a home that will provide uninterrupted electrical backup for days. They are connected to the home’s electrical panel but powered by external fuel, such as diesel, natural gas, or propane. Large systems can power a whole home with ease.

The generator has an internal switch that disconnects the home from utility services once it detects an interruption, then it will transfer power to the home’s electrical panel.

Once the municipal power comes back on, the switch will shut off and the home will be reconnected to the grid. Generators are popular for families with small children who do not want interrupted service, as well as those who work out of the home and need access to power all the time.

How Much Does A Generator Cost?

Generators are an investment that varies in price depending on what size you need. The higher the generator’s capacity, the more circuits it can power at one time.

Consult a professional about what electrical capacity you need. This should help you determine if you need a smaller or larger generator.

Most homeowners only need to power devices that are used most often. This includes the fridge, air conditioner/heater, oven, or washer/dryer.

A basic generator that includes just the essential circuits will usually start around $4,000 before installation and fuel. Some larger systems that can power the whole home can cost upwards of $20,000.

Generators will add value to your home, especially if you choose one that can provide power for the entire home in the event of an emergency. Keep in mind, however, that the installation price will vary depending on building codes, the potential need for a fuel tank, the location of the power source, the possible need for a concrete pad, and other miscellaneous costs.

Do Backup Generators Require Maintenance?

Generators do require some upkeep, especially those that are bigger. You should service your generator when it’s used for 24 to 48 hours continuously. Using it for a week or more? Have a professional change the filter and oil.

If you take great care of your generator, it will last longer. In fact, it might help you through a lifetime of power outages.

Prairie Electric is a proud Kohler backup generator dealer and is here to answer any and all questions you have!

We stand behind all of the generators we install and can recommend Kohler models in particular with confidence.

We updated this blog post on Nov. 14, 2022.