Generator connections and changeover.
Changeover switches, generator inlet points and standby supplies that keep your business running when the mains fails. Safe, simple and installed to BS 7671.
Power when the grid goes down.
A power cut can stop a business completely. Tills, servers, refrigeration, security and phones all go down together. A properly connected generator, permanent or brought in when needed, keeps the essentials running.
Connecting a generator safely is more than plugging it in. The building must be fully separated from the mains before the generator supplies it, so power cannot feed back into the network, and the earthing must be correct for the new source.
Who needs generator connections
- Businesses that cannot afford downtime
- Sites with refrigeration, servers or critical equipment
- Premises in areas prone to power cuts
- Events, temporary sites and planned outages
- Sites hiring in a generator during shutdowns
- Buildings with standby plant but no changeover
What's included.
Changeover switches
Manual or automatic changeover so the site switches safely between mains and generator.
Generator inlet points
External inlets so a hired generator can be connected quickly and safely.
Standby supplies
Permanent standby generator supplies for critical circuits or the whole site.
Earthing arrangements
Earthing designed for the generator as a separate source of supply.
Essential circuits
Critical loads separated onto their own board so the generator can be sized sensibly.
Tested and certified
Installation tested and certified to BS 7671, with clear operating labels.
Separation and earthing.
The changeover switch is the key safety component. It makes sure the site is either on the mains or on the generator, never both, which protects anyone working on the network and protects your generator. We install manual changeover where someone will be on site to operate it, and automatic transfer switches where the switch over needs to happen on its own.
Generators have their own earthing requirements, which depend on the generator and how it is connected. We design the earthing as part of the installation and test it before handover, and label everything so staff know how to switch over safely.
Accredited and approved.
NICEIC Approved Contractor (registration no. 609893000), SafeContractor approved, and ECS-carded electricians on every job.
How it works.
Get in touch
Tell us what you need by phone, email or the form. A few details is plenty.
Survey and quote
We see the job before we price it, then put a clear quote in writing.
Tidy installation
Work planned around your home or site, with everything left clean.
Test and certify
Every circuit and cable tested, with the certificates handed over.
Questions about generator connections.
Can I just plug a generator into a socket?
No. Back feeding a building through a socket is dangerous to you and to people working on the network. A proper inlet and changeover switch is needed.
Manual or automatic changeover?
Manual changeover is simpler and suits sites where someone is always present. Automatic changeover starts the switch over without anyone needing to act, which suits critical systems.
Do I need to power the whole building?
Often not. Separating essential circuits onto their own board lets you use a smaller generator for the things that matter most.
Do you supply generators?
We focus on the electrical connection, changeover and earthing. We can work with your generator supplier or hire company to get the right unit.
Helpful guides
Related services.
Commercial electrical installation
Distribution, containment, small power, lighting and controls for offices, schools, warehouses and fit-outs. Planned with your data from day one.
Commercial kitchen electrics
Three phase supplies for cooking equipment, power to extraction, gas interlock wiring and emergency stops for restaurants, cafes, pubs and schools.
Commercial EICRs
Periodic inspection and testing for offices, shops, schools and industrial units. Planned around your business, with a report you can act on.
Tell us about the job.
A few details is plenty. We will come back to you to arrange a visit and a written quote.