Great question Tom! Thank you! Personally when I was running a portable on PG&E I had subscribed to text alerts to let me know utility was back. They were pretty good about getting them out withing thirty minutes. AEP-Ohio here is even better with about a 15 minute average. However not all utilities offer such good service, or you may not be able to receive the message. So there are aftermarket power restored alarms available. Here is a link to to one from Reliance Controls, kind of a big player in the portable generator aftermarket supply, https://reliancecontrols.com/products/reliance-controls-powerback-utility-power-return-alert-white-thp108-2
How do you know when power is restored? My solution was to install a 120v siren on one of the service phases that I switch on during a power outage.
Great question Tom! Thank you! Personally when I was running a portable on PG&E I had subscribed to text alerts to let me know utility was back. They were pretty good about getting them out withing thirty minutes. AEP-Ohio here is even better with about a 15 minute average. However not all utilities offer such good service, or you may not be able to receive the message. So there are aftermarket power restored alarms available. Here is a link to to one from Reliance Controls, kind of a big player in the portable generator aftermarket supply, https://reliancecontrols.com/products/reliance-controls-powerback-utility-power-return-alert-white-thp108-2