KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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14 tips for operating portable generators safely

Posted: 30 Sep 2016 11:49 AM PDT
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email

If you, or someone you know, are using a portable or generator please take
a few minutes to review the basic generator instructions below.Â* If you see
a generator being used unsafely call 911 and ask that a welfare check be
made to be sure the occupants are safe.
1. Read the instruction booklet or operating manual. If the manual is lost
or missing, contact the generators manufacturer.
2. Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. A portable
generator is an internal combustion engine that exhausts a deadly gas
called carbon monoxide or CO. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless,
and you can be overcome if the generator is indoors.
3. Be sure to place the generator outside where exhaust fumes will not
enter into enclosed spaces. Only operate a generator outdoors in a
well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. The generator
should be protected from direct exposure to rain, heat/environmental
contaminants, and snow.
4. Dont connect your generator directly to your homes wiring. Connecting a
portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be
deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your homes wiring can
back-feed into the power lines connected to your home. Â*Utility
transformers can then increase this lower electrical voltage to thousands
of volts. Thats more than enough to kill a utility lineman making outage
repairs many miles away. You could also cause expensive damage to utility
equipment and your generator.
5. If you wish to hard-wire a generator to your home, it should be
installed by a licensed electrician with an approved cut-off switch that
will automatically disconnect the home from the power grid when the
generator is being used. Please check with your local utility company
before installing a hard-wired generator.
6. The correct way to use a generator is to connect a heavy-duty,
outdoor-rated power cord to the generator. Appliances can then be connected
to the power cord. Â*Make sure that the outdoor-rated power cord has a
sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
7. Dont overload the generator.
8. All generators have a power rating. They should be used only when
necessary and only to power a limited number of appliances or equipment.
The total wattage used by the appliances should be less than the output
rating of the generator. If you put too many appliances on the generator,
it could seriously damage the appliances and electronics. Overloading the
generator could also cause fires in the power cord.
9. Make sure your generator is properly grounded to avoid electrical
shocks. Check the generator owners manual for correct grounding information.
10. Do not store gasoline for the generator indoors. Gasoline should be
stored in approved, non-glass safety containers. Also, dont store gasoline
in a garage if theres a water heater or other fuel-burning appliance in the
garage. Vapor from gasoline is heavier than air and can travel invisibly
along the floor. It could be ignited by a pilot light or other source of
flame, such as an electric spark.
11. Extinguish all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline or the
generator.
12. Shut off the generator before refueling. Turn off all equipment powered
by the generator before shutting it down.
13. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near
the generator.
14. Yes, this is redundant with the first tip, but so important I thought
it worth mentioning twice.Â*PLEASE READ THE OWNERS MANUAL before you operate
the generator.Â*If youve lost the manual, contact the manufacturer for
another copy. You can often download the manual from a manufacturers Web
site. Keep the owners manual with the generator in a zip-lock bag to keep
it dry.
For more information please see
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/...enerators.html

Reprinted with permission of Tim, KD8DOO, from the September newsletter of
the Farmington Hills, MI Emergency Preparedness Commission.

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