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. 

What is a brownout?

A brownout is a temporary reduction in utility voltage that can cause dim lights or reduced electrical power in the home. Brownouts may occur intentionally, when a utility company reduces voltage to prevent a total blackout, or unintentionally, due to equipment failure or severe weather such as lightning or high winds. During a brownout, power is not completely lost, but low voltage can negatively affect sensitive electronics, appliances, and other home equipment.

 

For home standby generator owners, brownouts can cause the generator to turn on and off as grid voltage fluctuates. If the voltage drop is significant enough, the system may interpret it as an outage. Because home standby generators and automatic transfer switches are connected to the grid, brownout protection is an important consideration for your investment.

Environment

This article applies to Generac air-cooled home standby generators and automatic transfer switches.

For Next Generation series generators and automatic transfer switches, see here.

For Guardian series generators and automatic transfer switches (2017-present), see here.

Next Generation series generators and automatic transfer switches

Generac Next Generation series products feature built-in brownout protection systems:

• Next Generation generators with a PowerZone 200 controller feature adjustable pick-up and drop-out voltage settings that can be configured using the Field Pro app by a Generac Independent Authorized Service Dealer (IASD).
• Next Generation automatic transfer switches feature a Hardened Transfer Switch Control with integrated brownout protection.

Together, these features provide enhanced protection against brownouts, improving reliability and safeguarding connected equipment.

Guardian series generators and automatic transfer switches

• Guardian series generators can be configured for brownout protection through the Evolution control panel
• Generator owners should work with an Independent Authorized Service Dealer (IASD) or authorized service provider to correctly adjust pick-up and drop-out voltage settings.
• Brownout kits (discontinued) were previously used to enhance brownout protection in automatic transfer switches.

How did brownout kits work?

Note: Brownout kits have been discontinued. This information is provided for reference only.

• Brownout kits (part number G0064240) reduced generator cycling during low-voltage conditions by adjusting sensitivity thresholds.
• These kits modified the voltage level the generator used to detect an outage or a return to stable utility power.
• This prevented unnecessary generator start-ups and shut-downs during short-term brownouts.