How Quality Design Drives Safety in the New PowerProtect+™ Generators
When homeowners invest in backup power, they aren't just buying a piece of equipment—they are investing in the protection of their home and family. That is why our approach to engineering is simple: uncompromising quality is the foundation of absolute safety.
When a generator is built with higher-quality components, smarter layouts, and weather-tight protections, the risk of electrical faults, corrosion, and installation errors drops dramatically.
Here is a look behind the scenes at how our commitment to premium quality shaped the 64 engineering improvements in our new PowerProtect+™ line, and why that translates to the safest power generation experience yet.
Proudly Assembled in Auburn, Alabama
Quality control starts on the line. Here is a look at the very first PowerProtect+ generator being assembled by our dedicated team at the Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions facility in Auburn, Alabama.
The Quality-Safety Connection
When we looked at field feedback to develop the 64 improvements for the PowerProtect+ line, our primary focus was the electrical system. Electrical faults are often caused by environmental wear, vibration, or cramped installation spaces. By engineering higher-quality solutions to these common industry issues, we inherently made the system safer.
Upgrading the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
The AVR is the brain of the generator's electrical output. To protect it from moisture and corrosion, we completely redesigned its housing. The new AVR is fully potted (encased in a protective compound) and mounted upside down, making it impossible for water or snow to accumulate on the sensitive electronics. Furthermore, we added extensive internal fusing to protect the excitation, battery charger, and starting circuits against shorts or accidental wiring mistakes.
Eliminating Vulnerabilities: Positive-Locking Connectors
Across the industry, traditional spade terminals have been susceptible to vibrating loose or corroding over time.
Mark Molinski, Sr. Manager of Engineering at Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions, explains the impact of our quality upgrades:
"When we analyzed field data, we realized that traditional spade terminals were a frequent point of vulnerability, sometimes corroding or losing connection after just a few years of temperature cycling and vibration. By replacing all of those with positive-locking, poke-yoked connectors, we completely eliminated the chance of incorrect wiring. Better yet, we redesigned the electrical box to be significantly larger, removed any sharp metal edges, and improved wire routing to reduce wire strain, pinching, and loosening of wires and connectors. We haven’t just made the PowerProtect+ easier to install—we’ve engineered out the primary causes of electrical faults. When you build a higher-quality, more accessible system, you are naturally building a safer system."
Smarter Wiring for Long-Term Reliability
A generator vibrates. It heats up. It cools down. Over years of use, low-quality wiring can chafe or pinch, leading to potential reliability issues. To address this, our engineers completely overhauled the wire harness system with improved routing designed to reduce wire strain and prevent pinching, helping insulation stay secure over the life of the generator. We also introduced fully sealed connectors for the cold weather heater kits, oil temperature sensors, and speed sensors to help lock out environmental moisture and improve long-term durability.
Front-Facing Exhaust: A Higher Standard for Home Safety
Traditional generators vent heat and fumes from the side, which can wreak havoc on your siding and nearby landscaping. Our PowerProtect+ generators feature front-facing exhaust, engineered specifically to blow fumes and heat away from your family and home. It's a safer design that protects your home and landscaping from damage. Front exhaust also grants you unmatched installation flexibility, even on tight property lines.
An Unwavering Commitment to Rigorous Standards
While the PowerProtect+ introduces a new era of quality enhancements, our obsession with safety isn't a new trend—it’s baked into our DNA. We don’t just meet industry benchmarks; we build every unit to strictly exceed NFPA 37 guidelines, the definitive gold standard for stationary combustion engine installation.
Certified Beyond Compliance: UL 2200
Our standby generators aren't just "built well"—they are fully UL 2200 certified. This means Underwriters Laboratories has scrutinized the entire assembly through a gauntlet of safety, performance, and durability trials.
To earn the UL mark, our units must survive:
- Thermal Stress Tests: Measuring surface and control temperatures under extreme loads.
- Dielectric Withstand Tests: Ensuring the alternator’s electrical insulation is bulletproof.
- Environmental Rain Tests: Verifying that electrical boxes remain bone-dry in even the harshest downpours.
When you see that UL seal, you’re looking at independent proof of world-class fire, electrical, and mechanical safety.
The Bottom Line
Safety isn't a feature you can just bolt onto a generator at the end of the line—it has to be engineered into every wire, every connector, and every bracket. By focusing on top-tier quality and intelligent design, the PowerProtect+ line ensures that when the storm hits and the grid goes down, your home is powered by a system built to the highest possible standards.