Safety
AROUND YOUR HOME

Don't get zapped by your generator

Doug Drake

Recently, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters have taken their toll on electric systems across the country. Remember the ice storm that devastated this state in 1978? Many of us do. Being without electricity for an extended period of time is a major inconvenience not easily forgotten. Long duration power outages cause many hazards, like flooded basements, inoperable furnaces and spoiled food. In central Illinois, the most common reason for a power outage is a thunderstorm. However, most storms cause temporary problems that your electric cooperative will repair in a short amount of time.

Whether the power outage is long or short, your co-op employees will not stop until your power is restored.

To prepare for long power outages, a commercial business or livestock operation should have a permanent stand-by generator to protect it's investment. Today more and more residential customers are considering a portable generator. Unfortunately many people don't realize a generator can pose a serious safety hazard to you, your family and others. Before installing or operating a generator, these hazards should be considered.

Portable generators have capacity limits and most are designed to power selected lights or small tools. They should never be connected directly to a building's wiring. This means before you use a portable generator you must identify your needs. First, decide in advance which appliances you feel are necessary. Then determine how much electricity those items need. The appliance nameplate or owner's manual will list a wattage rating. Add the ratings of your selected items together. A generator should not operate at more than 80 percent of its rated capacity. Also, remember that appliances with motors will need up to ten times their wattage rating to start. Don't undersize the generator. An overloaded generator is a safety hazard and will damage appliances.

The most common problem associated with operating a generator is back feed. Unless your generator is properly connected or disconnected it can energize the cooperative's power lines causing life-threatening hazards which employees and the public are not expecting. Opening the main circuit breaker in your breaker box is not enough to ensure that no one's personal safety or property is at risk. The only way to safely separate the two electric systems is to have a professional electrician install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch in your home or business.

Additional problems arise from using generators. Fire is always a concern when operating a generator because most generators require the use of gasoline or diesel. The safe storage, use and care of flammables is a necessity. Always locate the generator in a well-vented area and never refuel the generator when the engine is hot. Let the engine cool at least ten minutes after shutting down the generator to minimize the danger of fire.

Another fire source is the extension cords used with a portable generator. Cords should be properly sized to carry the load and inspected before each use to identify any break in the insulation or exposed conductors. Never run cords under carpets or rugs where heat may build up and defects will go unnoticed. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher near the generator just in case.

Emergency generators are hot-selling items these days. They can be very beneficial when the proper unit is installed and used safely. The warmth of a furnace or a refreshing drink from a well are luxuries we don't want to be without. Many co-op members are concerned about the reliability of electric service during the computer transition at year's end. I wouldn't recommend purchasing a generator because of the Y2K hype. Your electric cooperative and their power supplier have concentrated valuable time and funds to ensure that quality electrical service will continue uninterrupted into the new millennium.

If you have any questions regarding the safe installation or use of a generator contact your local electric cooperative or the Illinois Electric Council, U of I Agriculture Engineering, 1304 West Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 - www.age.uius.edu/iec.

Doug Drake is a safety instructor for the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. You can write to him in care of Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. Telephone: (217) 529-5561.

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING DECEMBER 1999