Generator Installations: Power Security

Power Security for Los Angeles Homes and Businesses

Power outages in Los Angeles are becoming increasingly common due to Public Safety Power Shutoff events, aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and growing electrical demands. For homeowners and businesses, even a brief power interruption can mean spoiled food, lost productivity, compromised security systems, and thousands of dollars in damages. As we explored in our comprehensive guide on electrical infrastructure planning for Los Angeles property owners, modern buildings face unprecedented electrical challenges that require proactive solutions. Shaffer Construction, Inc. specializes in professional backup generator installations throughout Los Angeles, providing reliable power security when you need it most. With over a decade of experience in electrical contracting and a deep understanding of California's unique power challenges, our team ensures your home or business stays operational during any outage.

The reality is that Southern California's electrical grid faces mounting pressures. In January 2025, utilities implemented Public Safety Power Shutoffs across six counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura due to extreme fire weather conditions. These planned outages, designed to prevent wildfires during high-risk periods, can last anywhere from several hours to multiple days. For Los Angeles residents and business owners, a professionally installed backup generator isn't just a convenience anymore, it's a necessity for protecting your property, preserving critical operations, and maintaining quality of life during extended power disruptions.

Understanding Automatic Transfer Switches and NEC Requirements

At the heart of every reliable backup generator system is the automatic transfer switch, a critical safety component that seamlessly manages the transition between utility power and generator power. According to National Electrical Code requirements, all generators connected to residential or commercial electrical systems must use an approved transfer switch to prevent dangerous backfeeding of electricity into utility lines. This three-position switch automatically detects when utility power fails and switches your electrical system to generator power within seconds, then switches back when grid power is restored.

The National Electrical Code establishes different transfer time requirements based on the type of standby system. For emergency systems covered under NEC Article 700, which includes hospitals, fire alarms, and life safety equipment, automatic transfer switches must restore power within ten seconds of utility failure. For legally required standby systems under Article 701, such as heating and refrigeration systems, elevators, and communication systems, power must be restored within sixty seconds. Optional standby systems covered by Article 702, which include most residential and small commercial applications, have more flexible timing but still must meet strict safety standards. Shaffer Construction designs and installs transfer switch systems that not only meet but exceed these NEC requirements, ensuring your backup power activates quickly and safely.

All automatic transfer switches installed by Shaffer Construction are listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and installed according to manufacturer specifications and local building codes. Our electricians understand the critical importance of proper transfer switch sizing, grounding, and integration with your existing electrical panel. We also ensure compliance with the mandatory fifteen-minute re-transfer delay required by NEC Article 701, which prevents short-cycle switching during brief utility power returns that could damage sensitive electronics or generator components. For businesses requiring electrical load studies and panel upgrades, our team can assess your entire electrical infrastructure to ensure your generator and transfer switch system are properly integrated with adequate capacity for all critical loads.

Properly Sizing Your Generator for Residential and Commercial Applications

Choosing the right generator size is one of the most critical decisions in the installation process, and it requires professional electrical analysis rather than guesswork. An undersized generator will fail to power all your essential equipment during an outage, while an oversized unit wastes money on unnecessary capacity and fuel consumption. Shaffer Construction follows industry-standard sizing methodologies based on comprehensive electrical load calculations to determine the optimal generator capacity for your specific needs. For residential applications, this involves creating a detailed inventory of everything that needs power during an outage, calculating the running wattage for each item, adding the single highest starting wattage figure to account for motor startup surges, and multiplying the total by at least 1.25 to provide adequate safety margin.

For most Los Angeles homes, backup generators range from thirteen to twenty kilowatts for air-cooled units that power essential circuits including refrigeration, lighting, heating and cooling, and security systems. Larger homes or those wanting whole-house backup typically require twenty-five to sixty kilowatt liquid-cooled generators that can handle the entire electrical load including multiple air conditioning units, electric vehicle chargers, pool equipment, and all appliances. Many Los Angeles property owners are simultaneously upgrading their electrical infrastructure to support both backup generators and electric vehicle charging, which is why comprehensive electrical readiness assessments have become essential for modern properties. Shaffer Construction uses professional clamp-on ammeter measurements of your actual electrical service to determine real-world loads rather than relying on theoretical calculations alone. We measure current on each leg of your electrical service, calculate total amperage, and multiply by your supply voltage to determine actual kilowatt requirements, then add capacity for future expansion and emergency safety systems as required by NEC Articles 700, 701, and 702.

Commercial and industrial generator sizing follows a different methodology based on square footage, occupancy type, and critical load requirements. The quick estimation method uses five watts per square foot plus fifty kilowatts for most commercial facilities, or ten watts per square foot for retail businesses with high lighting and HVAC demands. However, Shaffer Construction recommends professional load analysis for all commercial installations to account for specific equipment needs, future expansion, and load management systems. Similar to how businesses must carefully plan electrical infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations, generator installations require thorough assessment of current and future electrical demands. According to NEC Article 702.5, generators using automatic transfer equipment must have sufficient capacity to supply the maximum load connected by the load management system or be capable of handling the total connected load. Our commercial generator installations include sophisticated load management systems that prioritize critical circuits and shed non-essential loads to maximize generator efficiency and fuel economy during extended outages.

Choosing the Right Fuel Type: Natural Gas, Propane, or Diesel

The fuel source for your backup generator significantly impacts operating costs, maintenance requirements, environmental footprint, and overall reliability during emergencies. Shaffer Construction helps Los Angeles property owners evaluate three primary fuel options, each with distinct advantages and considerations. Natural gas generators connect directly to your existing utility gas line, providing unlimited runtime as long as the gas supply remains uninterrupted. This convenience makes natural gas the most popular choice for residential backup power in urban Los Angeles areas where natural gas infrastructure is readily available. Natural gas burns cleanly with lower emissions than other fossil fuels, requires no on-site fuel storage or refilling, and typically offers the most stable long-term pricing compared to propane or diesel.

However, natural gas systems have one critical vulnerability for emergency preparedness: the gas supply itself can be interrupted during earthquakes, infrastructure damage, or utility shutoffs. This is particularly relevant in Los Angeles where seismic activity poses a real risk to underground gas lines. For properties in areas without natural gas service or those wanting fuel independence, propane offers an excellent alternative. Propane generators use on-site storage tanks that provide complete independence from utility infrastructure, making them ideal for properties in remote areas or those concerned about simultaneous power and gas outages. Propane has an indefinite shelf life when properly stored, burns cleaner than diesel with significantly fewer pollutants, and operates more quietly than diesel generators. The trade-off is that propane contains less energy per volume compared to diesel, requiring larger storage tanks for equivalent runtime, and propane generators rated above two hundred kilowatts can cost up to 2.5 times more than equivalent diesel units.

Diesel generators represent the traditional choice for commercial and industrial backup power, valued for their exceptional durability, high energy density, and suitability for heavy-duty continuous operation. Diesel fuel provides more power output per gallon than propane, making it the most efficient option for large commercial installations requiring extended runtime. Diesel generators typically last two to three times longer than gasoline models and can operate continuously under high loads with minimal maintenance. For businesses requiring reliable backup power for data centers, medical facilities, or critical manufacturing operations, diesel remains the gold standard. The downsides include higher noise levels, increased emissions compared to natural gas or propane, more frequent maintenance requirements, and significant fuel price volatility. Shaffer Construction evaluates your specific application, budget, and reliability requirements to recommend the optimal fuel type for your Los Angeles property, ensuring your backup power system delivers dependable performance when you need it most.

PSPS Events and the Growing Need for Backup Power in Los Angeles

Public Safety Power Shutoffs have fundamentally changed the emergency preparedness landscape for California property owners. Unlike traditional power outages caused by equipment failure or severe weather, PSPS events are planned utility shutdowns implemented during periods of extreme fire danger, often affecting tens of thousands of customers simultaneously and lasting multiple days. The California Public Utilities Commission has established guidelines allowing utilities to proactively shut off power when conditions present elevated wildfire risk, including high winds, low humidity, dry vegetation, and Red Flag Warnings from the National Weather Service. For Los Angeles residents and businesses, this means power outages are no longer rare emergencies but predictable events that require proactive preparation.

The frequency and scope of PSPS events continues to expand as climate change intensifies fire weather conditions across California. During the January 2025 PSPS event, utilities shut off power to communities across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties, affecting both urban and suburban areas previously unaccustomed to planned outages. These events create cascading challenges for property owners, from spoiled refrigerated food and medications to disabled security systems, lost business revenue, and inability to work from home. For vulnerable populations including elderly residents, those with medical equipment dependencies, and families with young children, PSPS events pose serious health and safety risks. Shaffer Construction has seen dramatic increases in backup generator inquiries from Los Angeles property owners who recognize that PSPS events are now a permanent feature of California life requiring permanent power solutions.

The good news is that backup generator technology has advanced significantly to address the specific challenges posed by PSPS events. Modern standby generators automatically activate within seconds of power loss, require no manual intervention, and can operate continuously for days or weeks on natural gas fuel supplies. Property owners can leave for work or travel with confidence knowing their generator will protect their home or business during any PSPS event. Additionally, California has implemented programs to make backup power more accessible and affordable. The California Air Resources Board temporarily extended allowances for importing and distributing generators under nineteen kilowatts in response to emergency fire conditions, while the Self-Generation Incentive Program offers rebates for backup battery systems. Shaffer Construction stays current with all available incentive programs and helps Los Angeles property owners navigate funding options to reduce the net cost of backup power installations. Our team also ensures all generator installations comply with California Air Resources Board emissions regulations while providing maximum protection against PSPS-related power disruptions.

Professional Installation and Ongoing Maintenance

A backup generator is only as reliable as the quality of its installation and ongoing maintenance, which is why professional electrical contracting expertise is essential for these complex systems. Shaffer Construction follows a comprehensive installation process that begins with detailed site assessment and electrical load analysis, continues through permitting and inspections, and extends to long-term maintenance and service. Our licensed electricians evaluate your property's electrical infrastructure to determine the optimal generator location considering noise levels, exhaust ventilation, fuel supply access, and local zoning requirements. We handle all aspects of the installation including concrete pad construction, electrical connections, automatic transfer switch integration, fuel line installation, and exhaust system setup, ensuring every component meets or exceeds National Electrical Code requirements and manufacturer specifications.

Generator installations require multiple inspections and permits from Los Angeles building and electrical authorities, a process that can be overwhelming for property owners unfamiliar with local regulations. Shaffer Construction manages the entire permitting process on your behalf, submitting detailed electrical plans, coordinating inspection schedules, and ensuring full compliance with California building codes and NEC Articles 700, 701, and 702. We also coordinate with gas utilities for natural gas meter upgrades when necessary, arrange propane tank installation and fuel delivery for propane systems, and ensure all installations meet California Air Resources Board emissions standards. For properties requiring comprehensive electrical safety inspections before generator installation, our team can evaluate your entire electrical system and recommend any necessary upgrades to ensure safe, code-compliant operation.

Once your generator is installed and commissioned, regular maintenance is critical for ensuring reliable operation when you need backup power most. Shaffer Construction offers preventive maintenance programs that include monthly automatic exercise cycles to keep the engine and battery in optimal condition, quarterly inspections of oil levels, coolant, battery voltage, and control systems, annual comprehensive service including oil changes, filter replacements, and load bank testing, and emergency service response for unexpected issues. We maintain detailed service records for all our generator installations and provide proactive notifications when scheduled maintenance is due. Our maintenance programs also include periodic testing under actual load conditions to verify that your generator can handle your full electrical demand during an extended outage, something many property owners discover too late when an inadequately maintained generator fails during an actual emergency. With Shaffer Construction's professional installation and ongoing maintenance, your backup generator will deliver decades of reliable service protecting your Los Angeles property.

Invest in Power Security with Professional Generator Installation

The increasing frequency of power outages in Los Angeles, driven by PSPS events, infrastructure aging, and growing electrical demands, makes backup generator installation one of the smartest investments property owners can make for protecting their homes and businesses. Whether you're concerned about food spoilage, business continuity, medical equipment reliability, security system operation, or simply maintaining comfortable living conditions during multi-day outages, a professionally installed backup generator provides peace of mind and practical protection. Shaffer Construction brings extensive expertise in electrical systems, California building codes, and generator technology to every installation, ensuring your backup power system is properly sized, safely installed, and fully compliant with all regulatory requirements.

From initial consultation and load analysis through permitting, installation, testing, and ongoing maintenance, our team manages every aspect of your generator project with professionalism and attention to detail. We work with leading generator manufacturers including Generac, Kohler, and Cummins to provide reliable equipment backed by strong warranties and parts availability. Our installations include high-quality automatic transfer switches, proper grounding and surge protection, weatherproof outdoor enclosures where needed, and integration with your existing electrical infrastructure. We also educate property owners on generator operation, fuel management, and emergency procedures to ensure you're fully prepared to use your backup power system safely and effectively.

For expert electrical services in Los Angeles, including backup generator installation, automatic transfer switches, electrical load studies, and comprehensive electrical safety inspections, contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. Our licensed electricians bring decades of combined experience to every project, with a commitment to quality workmanship, transparent pricing, and customer satisfaction. We understand that power reliability is critical for protecting your property investment, maintaining business operations, and keeping your family safe during emergencies. Call us at 323-642-8509 or email hello@shaffercon.com to schedule a generator consultation and site assessment. Visit our website at shaffercon.com to learn more about our electrical services and read testimonials from satisfied Los Angeles property owners who trust Shaffer Construction for their backup power needs.