Power Generation When The Lights Go Out

We cannot express how important safety is when dealing with electric power generators! Please do not take this matter lightly.

When the lights go out in your neighborhood, take care when setting up your backup power supplies.

If you are using a temporary portable generator and not a permanent standby unit that has been professionally installed, it is actually recommended to never attach your backup power supply to your whole building; instead, run an extension cord to those items that you may consider essential to the continued operation of your home or business.

What we are saying here is that you should hook up a few lamps and your refrigerator, but you should never hook your backup to your whole building. WHY you ask?

Your electric utility will be around, typically within 24-48 hours to repair your electrical lines. The technician will likely be of the belief that their is no power in your line. If you were to hook your power generator to your whole building, the utility company’s repairman may get the shock of his life! This is called “backfeeding” and is a common cause of death for utility linemen.

Here are a few more tips to keep you safe when using a temporary portable backup power generator in an emergency:

1. Use the appropriate sized power cords recommended by the manufacturer to carry the electrical load.

2. Never run cords underneath rugs or carpets where heat could build up or a damaged cord could go unnoticed.

3. Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The back-feed of electricity can be fatal.

4. To avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, never run a generator in an enclosed space, such as a basement, connected garage or enclosed porch.

Click here to read More Basic Electric Safety Tips. Call US Power today if you are interested in getting a free quote on a permanent standby generator set so you never need to worry about a power outage again. 1-877-772-6018.