What does dirty power/electricity mean when running a generator?

[Cur_Dog]

Can someone explain this more? I have run a generator for many years and have it going to my breaker box and cut the main off when I run it. When I turn off my generator I always kill the power to the box. I run my gas furnace, gas on demand hot water heater, gas stove, aerobic pumps, Tv, computer, lights ... everything but dryer and A/C unit. On the above items I run off my generator I never run everything at the same time. Never had any issues. Have I just been lucky? Why do I need a inverter?

Thanks.

[BobbyJoe]

Fluctuating or distorted voltage is what dirty power means. That distortion can damage things like phones, computers, TVs, etc. Inventors produce clean(er) power with less of that distortion and a more steady flow

[canny]

Conventional generators surge and when that happens it causes a fluctuation in voltage as mentioned above. The surging can damage the more high tech electronics that contain computer chips and such. You can help protect by getting a good surge protector. Typically, the conventional generator is designed to run "low tech" tools such as construction equipment. These tools are not subjected to the power surges since they do not posses the high tech computer chips and processors.

[K. Lane]

BobbyJoe is correct

Read this article, it’ll help you understand harmonic balance and electricity

https://www.trane.com/content/dam/Trane/Commercial/global/products-systems/education-training/engineers-newsletters/energy-environment/ADMAPN065EN.pdf

[60 Deluxe]

Some of the box store generators are not even voltage regulated. Most appliances can operate in a range of voltages, say plus or minus seven or eight percent. I have been doing much the same thing that you have but never use a t.v. set or computer while on generator power. After last week, I want to step up to a cleaner power so that I'm not afraid of losing $2000 worth of electronics while on backup power. Check the specs on your generator. It may well have at least a voltage regulator.

[Traildust]

Conventional generators surge and when that happens it causes a fluctuation in voltage as mentioned above. The surging can damage the more high tech electronics that contain computer chips and such. You can help protect by getting a good surge protector. Typically, the conventional generator is designed to run "low tech" tools such as construction equipment. These tools are not subjected to the power surges since they do not posses the high tech computer chips and processors.

Live in the country....we have surges and electrical fluctuations all the time when high winds or storms blow in with utility electricity. CenterPoint.

[Jet Black]

is this for "whole home generators" too?

[PondPopper]

Bad transformers are a common cause of "dirty power"..

[Smart]

Just use a surge protector on all you valuable electronics you wouldn't want to lose in a lightning storm and you should be good. I have mine on surges already as it is so I'd be pretty well protected for a non-inverter generator.

[Cur_Dog]

Thanks for the info. I do live way out in the country and on the end of the line.

I’m guessing the a new whole home generator would have those things built in.