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It has been a while since I last checked in due to just being busy.
A few years ago I posted a Thread here under Generators with suggestions on how to prepare and setup Generators in Hurricane / Tornado Zones. I hope the interested reader found these threads useful and of value.
The recent extreme Flash Floods in Western Germany got me to think to start a new thread on this topic and offer some suggestions to those folks who live in these Zones and utilize Generators as Backup.
The latest revelations in the West German Flash Floods from normally very small creeks showed a vulnerability of Generators installed in such Zones.
The German Authorities had estimated a Flash Flood of 5 Meters ( about 15 feet above normal ) and it turned out that the Flash Floods reached heights of 10 to 11 Meters (30 to 35 feet) above normal level's.
That caught many residents off guard. 5 Counties had declared a state of emergency by 5pm local time when the height was at 4 Meters with the peak being expected at 6am at 5 meters.
The preceding rainfall was at 200 Liter per square meter for several hours but it had stopped raining at around 3pm that afternoon while all affected creeks were still rising.
These known facts should lead to the following preparations for those owners who operate their Genset through a ATS:
1. During any disaster the utility power will go off, either by force of nature or as precaution by the utility companies
2. Once the utility power goes off the ATS takes over and starts the Generator then transferring power.
3. Recommendation:
If you live in a Flood Zone you may want to install a water level monitor in your basement or lowest part of your house. The trigger point should be set to be about 5" to 10" below the lowest electrical outlet.
The Water Level Monitor should have a dry relay contact besides the standard audible alarm and wired in series into the two wire start between ATS and Generator with it's Normally Open Contact. Meaning the internal dry relay is always powered on and the normally open contact closed when the monitor is working and there is no water detected.
This is a fail safe configuration. Once the unit fails or detects water it will deenergize the relay and open the normally open contact starting the shut down process of the Generator automatically and reducing the risk of electrocution in a flood situation.
Several of the 180 Victims in Germany were killed by electrocution rather then drowning.
My condolences to their families and friends and my best whishes for those who have lost all.
A few years ago I posted a Thread here under Generators with suggestions on how to prepare and setup Generators in Hurricane / Tornado Zones. I hope the interested reader found these threads useful and of value.
The recent extreme Flash Floods in Western Germany got me to think to start a new thread on this topic and offer some suggestions to those folks who live in these Zones and utilize Generators as Backup.
The latest revelations in the West German Flash Floods from normally very small creeks showed a vulnerability of Generators installed in such Zones.
The German Authorities had estimated a Flash Flood of 5 Meters ( about 15 feet above normal ) and it turned out that the Flash Floods reached heights of 10 to 11 Meters (30 to 35 feet) above normal level's.
That caught many residents off guard. 5 Counties had declared a state of emergency by 5pm local time when the height was at 4 Meters with the peak being expected at 6am at 5 meters.
The preceding rainfall was at 200 Liter per square meter for several hours but it had stopped raining at around 3pm that afternoon while all affected creeks were still rising.
These known facts should lead to the following preparations for those owners who operate their Genset through a ATS:
1. During any disaster the utility power will go off, either by force of nature or as precaution by the utility companies
2. Once the utility power goes off the ATS takes over and starts the Generator then transferring power.
3. Recommendation:
If you live in a Flood Zone you may want to install a water level monitor in your basement or lowest part of your house. The trigger point should be set to be about 5" to 10" below the lowest electrical outlet.
The Water Level Monitor should have a dry relay contact besides the standard audible alarm and wired in series into the two wire start between ATS and Generator with it's Normally Open Contact. Meaning the internal dry relay is always powered on and the normally open contact closed when the monitor is working and there is no water detected.
This is a fail safe configuration. Once the unit fails or detects water it will deenergize the relay and open the normally open contact starting the shut down process of the Generator automatically and reducing the risk of electrocution in a flood situation.
Several of the 180 Victims in Germany were killed by electrocution rather then drowning.
My condolences to their families and friends and my best whishes for those who have lost all.