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Backup power in Cleveland

Electricians for generators and transfer switches.

29 pros in Cleveland

Cleveland averages 63.8 inches of snow a year, with January the snowiest month at 18.4 inches, so winter outages are a normal planning concern for a home here. If you are adding a standby generator, the city treats it as more than an appliance: Cleveland lists a generator hooked into a building's electrical system as a project that requires a permit. Cleveland Public Power also says a generator must be installed so it does not back-feed to external lines, because back-feeding can seriously injure crews restoring service, and it says a disconnect switch should be installed by a professional electrician. When you hire, ask who will pull the electrical permit. Contractors must be bonded, insured and licensed with the State of Ohio and registered with the City of Cleveland. Ask the installer to name the transfer switch or isolation device in the quote, and keep the permit paperwork with your home records.

Source: National Weather Service Cleveland (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in Cleveland

  • FirstEnergy says never to connect a generator directly to a home's electrical system without a proper isolation device. That is a switch that disconnects the house from the utility's power lines while the generator runs, and the rule applies to both portable and stationary units. It says to contact a qualified electrician to have one installed.

    FirstEnergy (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. A generator wired into your home needs an approved transfer switch, fitted under a permit, so it can’t feed power back into the lines. Plan it before you buy.

    Source: bchydro.com (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Cleveland

Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in Cleveland?

Yes, in most cases. Cleveland's list of projects that require permits includes equipment installation, and it names a generator hooked into the building's electrical as an example. Ask any contractor whether the permit is included in the quote and who will apply for it. City of Cleveland, Department of Building and Housing (source, opens in a new tab)

Who is allowed to do the electrical work in Cleveland?

Contractors must be bonded, insured and licensed with the State of Ohio, and registered with the City of Cleveland. Homeowners may apply with a homeowner's affidavit and do not need to be registered contractors. Ask a contractor for proof of each item before work starts. City of Cleveland, Department of Building and Housing (source, opens in a new tab)

Why does a generator need a transfer switch or disconnect?

Cleveland Public Power says a generator must not back-feed to external electrical lines, which can seriously injure crews restoring service. It says a disconnect switch should be installed by a professional electrician. Make sure your quote names the switch or isolation device being installed. Cleveland Public Power (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a generator quote include?

A good quote names the generator and transfer switch, describes the electrical connection, states who handles the permit and inspection, and lists what is excluded. Ask for the contractor's licence details in writing. Get more than one quote and compare the scope line by line, not only the total.

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