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What Is a Brown out Kit and How Does It Work?

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What Is a Brown out Kit and How Does It Work?
What-Is-a-Brown-out-Kit-and-How-Does-It-Work
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Read the manual thoroughly and understand all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, or contact Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or www.generac.com with any questions or concerns. 

Brownout kits

Brown out kit helps with unstable utility by raising the threshold at which utility power dropouts or pickups occur. This helps prevent a scenario where transfer switch coils do not receive the appropriate voltage.


Generators with a Nexus controller (discontinued):

A brown-out kit provides an option for areas that regularly experience utility brownouts by increasing the time threshold that the utility power must achieve before allowing the unit to drop out or pick up. Without this kit, if a homeowner experiences a brownout their generator may cycle on and off as the utility voltage drops in and out. They are compatible with all Nexus RTS/RTG switches up to 400 amp, single phase.
 

Generators with an Evolution controller:

If the homeowner is using a generator with an Evolution controller (not Nexus), they can also install a brown out kit to extend the default outage time before the generator triggers the transfer switch. Evolution controllers also allow adjusting the drop out voltage threshold for triggering a transfer. To adjust the voltage threshold via the controller, generator owners should reach out to a local independent authorized servicing dealer (How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?) The utility dropout setting is only adjustable by a dealer, and the dealer would set it to the appropriate range based on the site's requirements.


Where Can I Buy a Brownout Kit?

The kit's part number is G006424-0, which can be acquired online or from a local Generac Certified service dealer: How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?

 

Can the dropout threshold be adjusted?

The factory programmed utility dropout voltage is 156 VAC for 60 Hz units. This means if the utility voltage drops to 156 VAC, or below, the generator will recognize this as an outage and automatically start. The utility dropout voltage is dealer adjustable to 140-171 VAC. This is often adjusted in areas that experience frequent utility brown outs.


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