Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation
Kochs Electric installs commercial generators and transfer switches that keep your business running when the utility goes down.
5 Highlights on Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation
- Automatic transfer switches (ATS) detect utility loss and transfer your load to standby power in seconds – no manual intervention required, no downtime for critical operations.
- Properly sized generators matched to your load calculation ensure your three-phase or single-phase equipment runs at rated capacity without tripping breakers or damaging sensitive loads.
- Code-compliant installations follow NEC, NFPA 70, and NFPA 110 standards – every conductor, conduit run, ground rod, and bonding jumper meets inspection requirements before we energize the system.
- Transfer switch integration includes control wiring, phase monitoring, and interlock configuration so your utility feed and generator never parallel accidentally – protecting your equipment and utility workers.
- Full commissioning and testing with a load bank confirms your generator starts, transfers, and sustains your building’s essential and emergency circuits under real operating conditions.
Why Choose Our Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation
Kochs Electric brings qualified, licensed electricians to every commercial generator and transfer switch installation. We don’t subcontract the work. Our crew pulls the permit, coordinates the inspection, and handles every step from the service entrance to the generator terminals.
We size your system correctly the first time. That means running a full load calculation before we spec a generator or transfer switch – accounting for motor starting loads, three-phase equipment, HVAC, lighting, and any critical or essential circuits your operation depends on.
Our installations use weatherproof, outdoor-rated enclosures and properly routed conduit – EMT, rigid, or PVC – based on the installation environment. We torque every lug to spec, label every conductor, and verify phase balance before we call the job done.
We’ve installed bypass isolation switches, automatic transfer switches, and manual transfer switches across commercial and industrial facilities. We know how to configure ATS controllers, set transfer timing, and program load shedding modules when your generator can’t carry the full building load.
Every installation includes a documented commissioning report. We exercise the generator under load, verify voltage and frequency output, and confirm the transfer relay operates correctly. You get a system that’s tested, inspected, approved, and ready to protect your business.
A reliable emergency power system isn’t just about the generator itself – it’s about the complete installation. Proper transfer switch wiring, correct grounding, and a tested commissioning process are what separate a reliable system from one that fails when you need it most. Kochs Electric delivers installations built to perform consistently, outage after outage.
Signs You Need Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation
1. You have no backup power and your business can’t afford downtime: Restaurants, medical offices, data centers, and manufacturing facilities all depend on continuous power. Without a standby generator and a properly wired transfer switch, a utility outage shuts you down completely. A commercial generator installation gives you an automatic, code-compliant path to backup power the moment the utility feed drops.
2. Your existing transfer switch is manual and too slow: A manual transfer switch requires someone on-site to physically operate it during an outage. That’s a problem at night, on weekends, or during severe weather. An automatic transfer switch monitors the utility feed continuously and transfers your load to the generator without any human input – typically within 10 to 30 seconds of detecting a fault.
3. Your generator isn’t connected to your building’s electrical system: A portable generator running extension cords isn’t a commercial solution. It’s a liability. Connecting a generator directly to your panel without a proper transfer switch creates a backfeed risk that can electrocute utility workers. A correctly installed transfer switch with an interlock or bypass isolation switch eliminates that hazard and keeps your installation code-compliant.
4. You’re adding critical or emergency circuits that require dedicated standby power: NEC and NFPA 110 require specific wiring methods and transfer equipment for emergency systems – exit lighting, fire alarm panels, elevator controls, and medical equipment. If you’re building out or renovating a commercial space, your generator and transfer switch installation needs to meet those code requirements from the start.
5. Your current generator system hasn’t been commissioned or tested under load: A generator that starts but hasn’t been tested with a load bank may fail when you actually need it. If your transfer switch hasn’t been exercised, your ATS controller hasn’t been calibrated, or your voltage regulator hasn’t been verified, you don’t actually know if your backup power system works. A full commissioning test finds those faults before an outage does.
Our Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation Process
Every commercial generator and transfer switch project follows a defined sequence of installation steps – from initial load calculation through final inspection. Here’s how we approach each job.
Step 1 — Load Calculation and System Sizing We calculate your building’s total load, identify essential and emergency circuits, and determine the correct KVA rating for your generator. We factor in three-phase motor starting loads, power factor, and any future load growth.
Step 2 — Permit and Code Review We pull the permit and review NEC, NFPA 70, and NFPA 110 requirements for your installation type. Commercial and industrial jobs often require coordination with the utility and the authority having jurisdiction.
Step 3 — Transfer Switch and Generator Placement We mount the automatic transfer switch, bypass isolation switch, or manual transfer switch at the service entrance or subpanel location. We position the generator on a rated pad or mounting surface with proper clearances.
Step 4 — Conduit, Conductor, and Control Wiring We run conduit – EMT, rigid, or weatherproof flex – route conductors sized to ampacity requirements, and pull control wiring between the ATS controller, generator control panel, and utility feed.
Step 5 — Grounding, Bonding, and Terminations We install ground rods, ground bars, and bonding jumpers. We torque every lug and terminal to manufacturer spec and verify equipment ground continuity.
Step 6 — Commissioning and Inspection We energize the system, simulate a utility outage, verify automatic transfer, test under load with a load bank, and confirm voltage, frequency, and phase balance. We schedule the inspection and walk the inspector through the completed installation.
Brands We Use
Kochs Electric installs and services equipment from the most trusted names in commercial generator and transfer switch manufacturing. We work with these brands because they’re listed, rated, and built to perform in commercial and industrial environments.
- Generac
- Kohler
- Cummins
- Caterpillar (Cat)
- Eaton
- Square D (Schneider Electric)
- Briggs & Stratton
- Asco Power Technologies
- Thomson Power Systems
- Russelectric
We only install manufacturer-listed, code-compliant equipment. Every generator and transfer switch we connect is verified against NEC and NFPA 110 requirements before we energize the system.
Other Services
| Commercial generator installation | Standby generator installation | Generator transfer switch wiring |
| Transfer switch installation | ATS installation | Automatic transfer switch wiring |
| Commercial generator and transfer switch installation | Generator hookup service | Load calculation for generator |
| Automatic transfer switch installation | Generator panel connection | NFPA 110 generator installation |
| Generator transfer switch replacement | Manual transfer switch upgrade | Generator commissioning and testing |
| Emergency power system installation | Data center backup power | Reliable generator maintenance |
| Generator safety inspection | Common generator failure diagnosis | Generator installation steps walkthrough |
FAQs About Commercial Generator & Transfer Switch Installation
What is a commercial generator and transfer switch installation?
It’s the complete process of connecting a standby generator to your building’s electrical system through a transfer switch – either automatic or manual – so your facility can run on backup power during a utility outage. The installation includes conduit, conductors, grounding, bonding, control wiring, and a full commissioning test.
How does an automatic transfer switch work?
An ATS monitors your utility feed continuously. When it detects a loss of voltage or frequency outside acceptable limits, it signals the generator to start, waits for the generator to reach rated output, then transfers your load from the utility to the generator. When utility power returns, the ATS transfers back and shuts the generator down.
What size generator does my commercial building need?
That depends on your load calculation. We measure your total connected load, identify which circuits are essential or emergency-rated, account for motor starting loads, and size the generator to handle that demand at the correct voltage and phase configuration – single-phase or three-phase.
Can you install a transfer switch on an existing panel?
Yes. We connect the transfer switch to your existing service entrance or subpanel, configure the interlock to prevent backfeed, and route conductors to the generator. We pull a permit and schedule an inspection for every existing-panel installation.
Does the installation need to meet code?
Every commercial generator and transfer switch installation must comply with NEC Article 700, 701, or 702 depending on the circuit type, along with NFPA 110 for emergency and standby power systems. We handle the permit, meet the code requirements, and get the inspection approved before we call the job complete.
How long does a commercial generator installation take?
Most commercial installations take one to three days depending on system size, conduit routing complexity, and inspection scheduling. Larger installations with paralleling switchgear or load shedding modules may take longer.
What happens during commissioning?
We simulate a utility outage, verify the generator starts and reaches rated voltage and frequency, confirm the transfer switch operates correctly, and test the system under load using a load bank. We document voltage, amperage, and frequency readings and verify phase balance across all three phases.
What generator maintenance does Kochs Electric provide after installation?
Generator maintenance includes regular exercise runs, fluid and filter checks, battery testing, ATS controller inspection, and periodic load bank testing. A properly maintained generator starts reliably and transfers power without hesitation. We recommend scheduling maintenance at least annually, or more frequently for facilities with high-demand emergency power requirements. Contact Kochs Electric to discuss a maintenance schedule for your system.
What safety measures are required for a commercial generator installation?
Safety requirements for commercial generator installations cover backfeed prevention, proper grounding and bonding, exhaust ventilation, fuel system compliance, and correct transfer switch interlocking. The transfer switch is the most critical safety component – it ensures your generator and utility power are never connected simultaneously, which prevents backfeed that can injure or kill utility workers. Kochs Electric follows NEC, NFPA 70, and NFPA 110 safety requirements on every job and gets every installation inspected before energizing.
What are common causes of commercial generator and transfer switch failure?
Common causes of generator failure include a dead or weak battery, stale fuel, low coolant or oil levels, a faulty voltage regulator, and an ATS controller that hasn’t been exercised or calibrated. Common transfer switch failure points include worn contactors, failed control boards, and corroded or loose terminations. Most of these failures are preventable with routine maintenance and periodic load testing. If your generator or transfer switch isn’t performing correctly, Kochs Electric can diagnose the fault and recommend repair or replacement options.
How can I learn what type of emergency power system my facility needs?
The best way to learn what emergency power system your facility needs is to schedule a site consultation with a licensed electrician. We assess your total load, identify which circuits require emergency or standby power under NEC Article 700, 701, or 702, and explain your options for generator size, transfer switch type, and fuel source. Data centers, medical facilities, and multi-tenant commercial buildings each have different emergency power requirements – a site visit gives you accurate information specific to your building. Call Kochs Electric at (317) 680-7907 or email [email protected] to get started.