FKEC Offers GenerLink™: A Safe & Simple Way to Connect Your Portable Generator
Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) offers a meter collar device that allows co-op members to connect a portable generator to their home or business to make portable generator use safe and easy. The apparatus, available for purchase and installed by a co-op professional, acts as a transfer switch automatically disconnecting your meter from the power grid, preventing dangerous “back feed,” which can potentially damage equipment and/or harm you and our utility crews.
Convenience and Ease: Once the meter collar is installed, connecting your portable generator takes seconds. After the generator transfer switch disconnects your home from the electric grid, you simply control which appliances you want to use by flipping the breakers in your existing electric panel.
Remember, the capacity of your generator determines the amount of power supplied to your home, not the GenerLink™ device. Homeowners should purchase a generator that is rated to run the largest appliances needed during an outage.
Purchase Price With Installation: $950 + Tax
Currently, FKEC offers the GenerLink™ MA24-S model for generators up to 10,000 watts. It also includes whole-house surge protection.
The purchase price is $950 + tax and comes with a 20-foot Generlok™ power cord. Generlok™ is a unique fitted connector that lets you plug your generator directly into GenerLink™ without needing a separate interconnection box.
How To Choose the Correct Generator
3 simple steps to selecting the correct generator to pair with your GenerLink transfer switch:
1. Your generator must have 1 of these receptacles:
2. Your generator must be in these wattage ranges:
3. Your generator must not have a full GFCI panel
Please note, FKEC does not sell units with 20-amp cords, but they can be purchased directly from GenerLink™. (Cords of various sizes can be purchased directly through GenerLink.)
After an FKEC technician installs the meter collar, the device is billed to your electric account. Please note, FKEC may require the member to obtain written approval from the condominium association before a unit can be installed.
For more information or to place an order, call FKEC Member Service at (305) 852-2431. You can also learn more on the GenerLink website.
Installation
- Installation takes about 1 hour and does require power to be briefly cut.
- The homeowner must be present to review safety checklist with FKEC installer.
- Your home’s electric panel must be 200 amps or less.
- If you live in a condominium, FKEC may require the member to obtain written approval from the condo association before a unit can be installed.
To Order
For more information or to place an order, call FKEC Member Service at (305) 852-2431. Supply is not controlled by FKEC and can be limited.
Generator Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Call FKEC Member Service at (305) 852-2431. The GenerLink™device can only be installed by an FKEC technician.
The device will be billed to your electric account after it has been installed.
Yes. GenerLink™ is an interconnection device that enables you to connect your portable generator directly to your home’s wiring system. During a power outage, your generator becomes your source of emergency backup power. GenerLink™ is designed as an alternative to expensive transfer switches and hazardous extension cords.
You will want a generator that can run the largest appliances and motors you will need during an outage. The capacity of your generator determines the amount of power supplied to your home and number of appliances that can be operated simultaneously, not the GenerLink™ device. Changing which appliances receive power is then as simple as turning circuit breaker switches on and off. GenerLink™ is designed to function as an interconnection device and serves to connect your generator to your home. There is no risk of damage to your appliances created by the device, however, you should exercise care when selecting your generator to ensure you are buying a high-quality generator.
Your generator continues to power your home until you turn it off. Once you turn off your generator, GenerLink™ will automatically switch your home back to utility power. GenerLink™ has a built-in safety feature that prevents back feeding the generator’s power into the utility lines, eliminating hazardous conditions for you and for utility service personnel.
There is no regular maintenance required for the GenerLink™. However, it is recommended that you test your generator every 3 months.
No, your utility meter will only run when the utility is providing electric power to your home. When using the GenerLink™ device, with your portable generator, you are automatically disconnected from the utility power supply and will not reconnect until you turn off your generator.
There are 3 indicator lights on the GenerLink™, 1 green, 1 yellow, and 1 red.
- When the green light is illuminated, this represents a normal condition where utility power is present. When your utility has restored power you can de-energize and disconnect your generator from GenerLink™.
- When the yellow light is illuminated, this indicates that the household load is greater than 30 amps. It is normal for the yellow status light to be illuminated while utility power is present. The load must be reduced by turning off circuit breakers before the GenerLink™ unit can be operated with a generator.
- If the red light is illuminated at any time or in conjunction with the green light, there is a potential problem, and you should have the unit serviced immediately. (Refer to the Terms and Conditions for service instructions)
Your generator should have a circuit breaker that will activate in the event of an overload. If it does not have this feature, it is not suitable for use with GenerLink™. If the generator’s circuit breaker trip’s, turn off all the household circuit breakers in your breaker panel, reset the circuit breaker on the generator, and restart the generator. Please refer to your generator owner’s manual for complete instructions on the safe operation of your generator.
To remove, replace, or repair your GenerLink™, you must contact FKEC. Only FKEC technicians have access to the GenerLink™ device. Do not, under any conditions, attempt to remove and/or repair GenerLink™ yourself. If the homeowner moves, a transfer of the GenerLink™ may be requested for only $100.