Generator & Backup Power

Keep your home or business powered when the grid goes down — Kochs Electric installs, services, and maintains generator and backup power systems built to run when you need them most. Our power solutions are tailored for residential, commercial, and industrial needs – designed to deliver reliable energy and critical power without interruption.

5 Highlights on Generator & Backup Power

Automatic transfer switches detect a grid outage and transfer your load to a standby generator within seconds — no manual switching, no downtime, no guesswork
Whole-home and commercial generator installation covers single-phase and three-phase systems, properly grounded, fused, and wired to code from the fuel tank to the distribution board
Battery backup and UPS systems protect critical loads like servers, medical equipment, and security panels from voltage drops, surges, and complete power loss
Load balancing and voltage regulation keep your generator running at rated capacity without overloading the alternator or tripping breakers under heavy draw
Scheduled maintenance and inspection covers the coolant system, AVR, starter motor, exhaust, fuel tank, and all transfer switch contacts — so your backup power system starts every time

Our Generator & Backup Power Services:

Why Choose Our Generator & Backup Power Services

Kochs Electric brings qualified, licensed electricians to every generator and backup power job. Our team wires, installs, and commissions systems correctly the first time. We are a leading provider of backup power solutions for businesses and homeowners across Indiana – ready to support every project from initial contact to final commissioning.

We work with automatic transfer switches, manual transfer switches, portable generators, and stationary standby units. We handle diesel and gasoline engines. We connect inverter-based battery systems and hardwired UPS units for critical facilities. Our services include power supply ups, energy storage systems, and backup solutions tailored for businesses of any scale – including light industrial and commercial operations.

Every installation follows NEC code requirements. We ground all equipment properly, terminate every conductor at rated terminals, and test the system under load before we leave the site. You get documentation of the completed work. Our engineering team focuses on ensuring long-term reliability and optimal performance for every system we install.

Our electricians troubleshoot existing backup power systems too. If your generator trips a breaker, fails to start, or your transfer switch won’t activate, we diagnose the fault and repair it. We replace faulty relays, worn contactors, dead batteries, and failed AVR units. Our experienced technicians are also available for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure your system remains fully operational.

We serve residential, commercial, and light industrial customers. Whether you need a 10 kW home standby unit or a 200 kW three-phase commercial generator, Kochs Electric sizes, installs, and maintains the system to match your actual load requirements. We deliver solutions that scale with your needs, providing businesses with the power they can count on at any operating load.

Reliable backup power starts with a qualified electrician. Kochs Electric is the trusted choice for generator installation and service in the area. Contact our sales and service team today – we offer leading-edge generator and backup power solutions designed to deliver the performance and reliability your home or business demands.

Signs You Need Generator & Backup Power Services

1. You’ve lost power during a storm and had no backup: If a tripped utility breaker or downed line left your home or business completely dark, you have no protection against the next outage. A hardwired standby generator with an automatic transfer switch eliminates that vulnerability entirely. Power can be restored within seconds, ensuring your critical operations continue without interruption.

2. Your existing generator won’t start or transfer: A generator that cranks but won’t fire often has a fuel delivery problem, a dead starter motor, or a discharged battery. A transfer switch that won’t activate may have a faulty relay or a wiring fault between the panel and the switch. These aren’t issues to ignore — a backup power system that won’t start under load is no backup at all.

3. Your breakers trip when the generator runs: An overloaded generator trips breakers when the connected load exceeds the unit’s rated kilowatt output. This usually means the system was never properly load-balanced. Kochs Electric measures your actual draw, redistributes circuits, and sets the transfer switch to supply only the loads the generator can handle.

4. You’re running critical equipment with no power protection: Servers, medical devices, refrigeration units, and security systems need continuous, clean power. A voltage-regulated UPS or battery backup system protects those loads from surges, sags, and full outages. Running critical equipment without backup power protection puts both equipment and operations at risk. In addition, power supply ups and energy storage solutions provide an extra layer of critical power protection for your most sensitive systems.

5. Your generator hasn’t been inspected or tested in over a year: Standby generators sit idle for months at a time. Coolant degrades, fuel goes stale, and battery terminals corrode. An annual inspection covers the engine, alternator, AVR, exhaust, coolant system, and all electrical connections — confirming the unit will start and transfer when the grid goes down.

Our Generator & Backup Power Process

Step 1 — Load Assessment We measure your existing electrical load, identify critical circuits, and calculate the kilowatt demand your backup power system needs to supply. This determines the correct generator size and transfer switch rating. We also assess energy usage patterns and operating conditions to tailor the solution for your specific project.

Step 2 — System Design We select the right generator, transfer switch, and wiring configuration for your property. We specify conduit routing, grounding requirements, fuel tank placement, and exhaust clearance before any work begins.

Step 3 — Installation Our electricians mount the generator, run and pull all wiring, install the automatic or manual transfer switch, connect the neutral and ground conductors, and terminate every circuit at the panel and distribution board.

Step 4 — Commissioning and Testing We energize the system, verify voltage and frequency output, test the transfer switch under load, and confirm the generator starts, runs, and shuts down correctly. We check the AVR output and inspect all connections for heat or resistance. System monitoring checks are also conducted to ensure consistent performance under real operating conditions.

Step 5 — Handoff and Documentation We walk you through the system operation, explain manual override procedures, and provide documentation of the completed installation for your records and any permit requirements. Contact us at any time after project completion – our technicians are ready to provide ongoing support and guidance.

Brands We Use

Kochs Electric installs and services generator and backup power equipment from the industry’s most trusted manufacturers:

Generac
Kohler
Cummins
Briggs & Stratton
Eaton
APC by Schneider Electric
Siemens
Square D
Caterpillar (Cat)
Tripp Lite

We source equipment rated for your specific load, environment, and fuel type. All brands we install meet NEC standards and manufacturer specifications.

Other Services

Generator installation	Standby generator setup	Automatic transfer switch wiring
Backup power system	Emergency power supply	Load transfer and circuit protection
Generator repair service	Generator troubleshooting	AVR fault diagnosis and repair
Automatic transfer switch installation	ATS wiring and commissioning	Panel connection and load balancing
Home generator service	Residential backup power	Whole-home generator maintenance

FAQs About Generator & Backup Power

What size generator do I need for my home?

Size depends on your total electrical load. A basic home with lighting, refrigeration, and a furnace typically needs 10–20 kW. A home with central air conditioning, a well pump, and electric appliances may need 22 kW or more. Kochs Electric measures your actual load before recommending a unit.

How does an automatic transfer switch work?

An automatic transfer switch monitors incoming utility voltage. When it detects a loss of power, it disconnects your home from the grid and connects it to the generator — typically within 10 to 30 seconds. When utility power returns, it transfers the load back and shuts the generator down.

Can I connect a portable generator to my panel?

You can, but only through a properly installed transfer switch or interlock kit. Connecting a portable generator directly to your panel without a transfer switch creates a backfeed hazard that can energize utility lines and injure or kill lineworkers. Kochs Electric installs the correct interlock or manual transfer switch for portable generator connections.

How often should a standby generator be serviced?

Annual maintenance covers the engine oil, coolant, air filter, spark plugs or fuel injectors, battery, AVR, and all electrical connections. Generators that run on natural gas or propane need the same inspection schedule as diesel units. Monthly self-test cycles help, but they don’t replace a full inspection.

Does a generator installation require a permit?

Yes. Most jurisdictions require an electrical permit for generator and transfer switch installation. Kochs Electric pulls the required permits, schedules inspections, and ensures the completed installation meets local code.

How long does a generator installation take?

A standard residential standby generator installation takes one to two days. Commercial installations with three-phase switchgear, larger conduit runs, or custom load configurations may take longer depending on site conditions.