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GenerLink

Quote

SAFELY AND EASILY CONNECT A PORTABLE GENERATOR TO YOUR HOME WITH GENERLINK

When you have lost power, a portable generator can temporarily provide needed electricity.  However, it may present serious hazards if not used properly. NEVER plug a portable generator into your home as this can cause deadly feed back through your home onto the power lines.  This "backfeed" can be deadly for lineworkers and anyone near downed power lines.

 

 

With the increase of home offices, electronic equipment and reliance on electricity, many homeowners have purchased a portable generator for use in their home during power outages. However, they may lack a safe and economical way to connect their generator.

For those members using generators or wanting to purchase a generator, Beltrami Electric Cooperative now offers Generlink™, a meter collar device installed on your electric meter that allows you to easily connect a small generator to your home during power outages.

With Generlink™ you simply plug in the generator and use your household main circuit panel to select the circuits and appliances you want to operate based on the generator capacity. 

Not all generators are compatible with a GenerLink transfer switch due to plug type, wattage, voltage and/or GFCI. If you need assistance with generator verification, contact Beltrami Electric Cooperative or view the list of compatible generators here. 

GenerlinkLogoLarge.png

GenerLink_Installed.jpg

GenerLink™ FAQs

Can I safely connect my generator?

Yes!  GenerLink™ provides a safe means for connecting a portable generator to your home, and it automatically disconnects your home from Beltrami Electric's power grid when the generator is connected and producing power.  It prevents deadly back-feed, which is a condition where electricity is being generated from a source outside the utility power grid and is feeding/traveling back into the power lines. Back-feeding onto the electric lines is a dangerous situation to line personnel because a line they consider as "dead" may, in fact, be energized by back-feed from a generator. The result can be fatal.  GenerLink prevents this dangerous situation from occurring.

How does installation work?

Once you purchase a GenerLink™ from Beltrami Electric, we will set up an appointment for one of our technicians to install it at your meter.  We schedule a 60-minute appointment to allow time for questions the member may have.

Once the device is installed, you are ready to plug your generator into GenerLink™.

What will I be able to power in my home?

With GenerLink™, you can operate virtually any electric load/appliance in your home up to your generator's capacity - just not all at the same time.

Appliances wired through your home's breaker panel, such as a furnace, hot water heater and many lights cannot run using extension cords. GenerLink™ provides the flexibility to run these loads from your portable generator.  Your well pump, water heater, sump pump, and refrigerator are just some of the appliances you can operate with GenerLink™.

What does a GenerLink™ cost?

Please contact Beltrami Electric Cooperative's Energy Services Department at (218) 444-2540 for current pricing. Our pricing includes sales tax and installation.

We offer both a 30-amp or 40-amp GenerLink™ device with a 20-ft power cord.

What size generator will I need?

To determine what loads you can support with a portable generator, you must consider the "running watt" and the "starting watt" requirements of the electric loads you want to operate. For example, when your furnace motor first starts up, it will require approximately three times more starting watts for a brief 1- to 2-second period then the running watts it needs to operate for extended periods. Your generator must have the capacity to start a motor and keep it running.

Sample generator sizing calculation:

To use a refrigerator/freezer you need 2,250 watts (750 W x 3 starting factor) to start it and 750 W to keep it running. Refer to the Appliance Usage Guide for wattage information.

Will any generator work with GenerLink™?

GenerLink™ is connected to the generator's 120/240-volt AC receptacle using a GenerLok™ power cord with the appropriate generator connection.  The GenerLink™ cord has a minimum rating of 30 amps.

A 50-amp cord is available as special order.

Generators have different types of receptacles depending on the type of generator.  If your generator does not have a 120/240-volt AC receptacle, it is not suitable for use with GenerLink™.

For a list of compatible generators: (View and Download).

The GenerLink™ power cord is fitted with a male plug compatible with one of the following receptacles:

 

Generlink Power Cord Connections

GenerLink™ Transfer Switch Features and Benefits

 

  • 200 amp continuous, UL Listed meter mounted transfer switch

  • Prevents back feeding of the utility line

  • No rewiring or subpanel installation required

  • Takes 30 minutes to install

  • Works with most portable generators

  • Gives you the flexibility and control to select what you want to run using your home's circuit panel

 

View a list of compatible generators

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Beltrami Electric Cooperative

4111 Technology Dr NW
P.O. Box 488 | Bemidji, MN 56619

Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Phone Contacts

Phone: 24/7 Outage Reporting:
(800) 955-6083  |  (218) 444-2540

Fax: (218) 444-3676

Pay by phone: (855) 356-6345

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©2023 Beltrami Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • MY BILL
      • View/Pay My Bill
      • SmartHub
      • Payment Options
      • Payment Assistance
      • High Bill Concern
      • Understanding My Bill
    • MY ACCOUNT
      • New Member Info
      • Account Management
        • Update My Information
      • Budget Billing
      • Capital Credits
      • Forms
      • Member Privacy
    • MY ELECTRIC SERVICE
      • Start/Stop/Transfer Service
      • Electric Service Construction
  • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
      • Products
        • GenerLink
        • Marathon Water Heaters
        • Steffes Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
      • Contractor Resources
      • Home Energy Assessment
      • Electric Heating Systems
      • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
      • Load Management
    • REBATES AND ENERGY SAVINGS
      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Cost Comparison
    • RENEWABLE ENERGY
      • Infinity Renewable Energy
      • Member-Owned Renewable Energy Systems
      • Northern Solar
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • About Your Cooperative
      • What is an Electric Co-op?
        • History of Beltrami Electric Cooperative
      • Annual & District Meetings
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Information
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Energy Resources Profile
      • Energy Resources Tour
      • Leadership Team
      • Political Action
      • Statement of Non-Discrimination
    • COMMUNITY
      • Community Room
        • Community Room Calendar & Reservation Request Form
      • Co-op Connections Card
        • Co-op Connections Discount Card Local Discounts
      • Operation RoundUp
      • Education & Scholarships
        • Youth Tour-Washington, DC
        • Scholarships
      • GreenTouch
      • Indoor Garage Sale
      • Touchstone Energy Community Award
      • Touchstone Energy Open
    • NEWS AND MEDIA
      • Beltrami Electric News
      • Member Newsletters
        • Place a classified ad
      • Media Contacts
      • Utility Scams-Beware
      • Links & Resources
  • OUTAGES AND SAFETY
    • Outages
      • Outage & Storm Center
        • Outage FAQs
      • Report a Power Outage
      • Current Outages
      • Restoration Process
      • Outage Preparedness
      • Using a Generator During an Outage
    • Safety
      • Power Line Safety
      • Electrical Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Vegetation Management