Safety and Portable Generators
Apr 8, 2013 Generators
Posted by
Generator World
Anywhere electrical power is required such as, construction sites, campgrounds, and homes, a portable power generator will supply it. Not just for comfort, they power tools, medical gear, and keep vital appliances working. It is vital that working a generator is done safely and suitable placement is paramount along with hooking it up and making connections. Follow these portable generator safety tips to prevent life-threatening mishaps. For specific safety instructions make sure to read your owner’s manual that is particular to the model of generator you own.
General Safety
Never refuel a portable generator while it is running. Turn the generator off and allow it to cool before adding fuel. Don’t allow children to play near a generator during operation. Burn and electrical hazards can injure a child. Disconnect loads from the generator before you turn it off and keep them disconnected until the generator is running again. When the generator is being used near your home or any other dwelling, make sure to use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector. Keep combustible materials away from the generator. Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can quickly kill in a confined space. Even if the windows are open and you believe there is enough ventilation, never keep a portable generator running inside of a home, garage, shed, or any other closed space. No matter the fuel being used, windows and doors cannot provide enough proper ventilation for an internal combustion engine. Keep portable generators at least 10 feet from any dwelling including homes, tents, RVs, and campers. Make sure that your generator is far away from open doors, windows, or vents, as the fumes can seep into where you are residing. Place the generator downwind where exhaust fumes cannot enter the dwelling. Also, be mindful of the direction your exhaust may travel, and make sure to be aware of how close your neighbors are in relation to your generator. Always have a level stable surface that will not flood to place your generator on.
Using Extension Cords
Make sure that you are invariably using outdoor rated electrical cords. These electrical cords are three-pronged plugs and receptacles as well as should have a ground wire. Select cords sized to carry the current the devices used will draw. Common wire sizes include 14 gauges for about 15 amperes, 12 gauges for about 20 amperes, and 10 gauges for about 30 amperes. If your cords will carry near their maximum rated load over eighty percent of times, step-up to another (smaller gauge number) size cord. Extension cords longer than 100 feet require larger wires (smaller gauge number) to scale back voltage drop, which may cause motors to overheat or wear out. Usually do not pinch electrical cords in windows or doors, or use cords when they’re coiled up. Pinched wires can easily overheat and initiate a fireplace. Uncoil cords prior to connections to keep them from overheating. Don’t use anything but electrical cords in good shape with unbroken sheathing and solid connections to plugs and receptacles.
Making Connections
Make connections involving the portable generator’s convenience receptacles straight to appliances with electrical cords.
Hook up a generator into a home’s electrical system by having a manual transfer switch. Never connect chance to a property by backfeeding a product circuit including an electrical range or dryer outlet. Backfeeding can kill or injure utility workers.
On homes, a moveable generator’s neutral and ground wire be bonded (connected) for the generator to fulfill OSHA safety regulations (unless a separate, approved ground is given). Connection of a job-site generator into a home’s manual transfer switch may need disabling the bond before link to the switch. Confirm the user guide for instructions specific to grounding the portable generator.