Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home. Below are guidelines for safely connecting and operating
portable generators.
Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.
Connecting
a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be
deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your
home's wiring can 'backfeed' onto the power lines connected to your
home.
Our portable electric generator safety tips can help you avoid personal injury and expensive damage.
Utility
transformers can then "step-up" or increase this backfeed to thousands
of volts—enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long
way from your house. You could also cause expensive damage to utility
equipment and your generator.
The only safe way to connect a
portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a
licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer
switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming
from your generator.
Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.
Plugging
a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power
lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual
appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the
receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected
appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power
cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
Don't overload the generator.
Do
not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the
generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your
valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable
electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power
essential equipment.
Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Just
like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion
engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator
where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors
in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and
protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a
canopy, open shed or carport.
Use the proper power cords.
Plug
individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty,
outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load.
Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Don't use
extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding. Make sure the
cords from the generator don't present a tripping hazard. Don't run
cords under rugs where heat might build up or cord damage may go
unnoticed.
Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
Don't
cut corners when it comes to safety. Carefully read and observe all
instructions in your portable electric generator's owner manual.
To prevent electrical shock, make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Consult your manufacturer's manual for correct grounding procedures.
Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running.
Gasoline
(and other flammable liquids) should be stored outside of living areas
in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should not be
stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The
vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited
by pilot lights or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid
spilling fuel on hot components. Put out all flames or cigarettes when
handling gasoline. Always have a fully charged, approved fire
extinguisher located near the generator. Never attempt to refuel a
portable generator while it's running.
Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.
Avoid getting burned.
Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation.
Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.