Generator Installation · Allentown, PA
Generator Installation in Allentown, PA
The October 2011 snowstorm dropped heavy wet snow on trees still in leaf, causing widespread outages across the Lehigh Valley, and summer storms and nor'easters still knock out power in Allentown. For rowhouse owners in Center City and Old Allentown, yards are small and generators must run outdoors away from windows, so a portable generator with an outdoor inlet and interlock in a rear yard is the common choice.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Old Allentown, West End, Center City and more
What's different about generator installation in Allentown
Larger homes in the West End may suit a natural-gas standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. PPL Electric Utilities owns the service, and permits come from the City of Allentown.
Rowhouses often have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, 60 amp services and few outlets, and many have been divided into apartments. Narrow lots and shared walls limit routes for new wiring and outdoor equipment.
Weather and the utility in Allentown
Allentown gets cold winters with snow and ice, humid summers with thunderstorms, and occasional remnants of tropical storms. The October 2011 snowstorm dropped heavy wet snow on trees still in leaf, causing widespread outages across the Lehigh Valley. PPL Electric Utilities serves Allentown and handles meters, service drops and reconnection.
- Permits in Allentown
- Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Allentown's building standards and safety office; surrounding townships issue their own. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what the city or township requires.
- Electric utility
- PPL Electric Utilities
- Where we connect you
- 8 ZIP codes in Allentown, including Old Allentown, West End, Center City, East Side, South Side, Old Fairgrounds
Signs it's time to call
- Frequent outages from storms, ice or heat
- Medical equipment, sump pumps or freezers that cannot lose power
- A portable generator with no safe way to connect
- Planning a whole-home standby unit
How the job usually goes
1. Size the load
Circuits that must stay powered are listed and the generator sized.
2. Choose the connection
Inlet and interlock, manual transfer switch or automatic transfer switch.
3. Install and inspect
Permitted installation, gas connection by a licensed fitter where needed, and inspection.
Full details on generator installation, including what you can safely check yourself.
What moves the price in Allentown
Electricians set their own prices. Local permit fees, utility coordination and the age of the home all play a part, along with:
- Portable inlet versus standby system
- Generator size
- Transfer switch type
- Distance from panel and gas source
- Pad, permits and inspection
Stop and call an electrician if
- ✕ Never backfeed through an outlet
- ✕ Never run a generator in a garage
Generator Installation in Allentown: questions
Do I need a permit for generator installation in Allentown?
In most cases, yes. Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Allentown's building standards and safety office; surrounding townships issue their own. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what the city or township requires. The electrician normally pulls the permit and arranges the inspection.
Is an interlock kit legal?
Listed interlock kits are accepted in many jurisdictions when installed with a permit. Your electrician will know the local rule.
What electrical issues are common in Allentown homes?
Electricians in Allentown most often see: knob-and-tube in rowhouses; small services in converted apartments; winter storm outages.
More electrical help in Allentown
Generator Installation in nearby cities
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Need generator installation in Allentown?
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