If you own a portable generator, compliance with
equipment operating procedures is critical to the safety and well-being of your
family. Non-compliance with safety regulations and operating guidelines could
result in the carbon monoxide poisoning of loved ones and extensive fire damage
to your home.
Employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves
with these generator safety tips so that they are knowledgeable and are well
prepared for hurricane season:
1. Always operate a generator in accordance with
the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions.
2. To avoid being electrocuted, use heavy duty,
outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate to plug individual appliances into your
generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating allows.
3. Never connect a generator to a wall outlet or to
the electrical system in your home since that can cause damage to your
equipment and can be a life-threatening danger to your family, neighbors, and
repair crews.
4. Always
operate your generator outdoors on a level surface in a
well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to your home. Your generator
needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation so
ensure that it has a minimum of three to four feet of spacing on all sides,
including the top. An open door or window will allow dangerous exhaust fumes to
enter your home. Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be
lethal, good ventilation is critical.
5. Be sure to have adequate fuel for your generator
and manage consumption by running for only a few hours at a time. Never add
fuel to your generator when it is running, and always store additional fuel in approved
gasoline containers.
6. If connecting a generator into your home wiring
is necessary on a temporary basis, a transfer switch must be installed by a
licensed electrician. A transfer switch permits the transfer of the load from
the utility company
power source that normally supplies power over to the portable generator. A transfer switch will isolate
the circuits supplied by the generator.
This transfer switch will prevent “backfeeding,” a
term that refers to the inadvertent energizing of circuits in both systems. Backfeeding
most commonly occurs when a generator is connected directly to the electric
panel or circuit in a home. Feeding power into the utility system during an
outage will energize the transformer. This could pose a serious threat to the power
line and to the service crews who are unknowingly working with an energized
line as they attempt to restore power to your home and your neighborhood.
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