Safety With Generators
It’s difficult, perhaps almost impossible in some cases to live without electricity in today’s world. That’s why Access Energy Cooperative does everything possible to keep the lights on and to restore service as soon as possible when there is an outage.
If you have or are considering purchasing a standby generator, remember that it is absolutely vital to follow proper installation procedures. If used incorrectly, a standby generator can cause serious harm or even death. The safe transfer of your power needs to an emergency generator is your responsibility. Here are some important things to remember.
Generators can produce power for a home, farm or commercial service. However, if a generator is not properly installed or connected, the “backfeed” can result in an output of 7,200 volts on the cooperative’s distribution line. As a result, an unsuspecting line crew working on the system would be in danger.
For everyone’s sake — yours, the cooperative and its line crew — generators need to be isolated from the cooperative’s power lines. It is a requirement of the National Electric Code that a double throw switch be installed on your service where the standby generator is connected. When installed properly, the double throw switch ensures there is no “backfeed” when running your generator.
Also, remember to determine the wattage output you need before buying a generator. Manufacturers rate the size of a generator in terms of wattage. The generator’s wattage output should meet or exceed the total rated wattage of the equipment you plan to operate in the case of an outage.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to use your generator and contact your electrician for professional installation of the double throw switch. If you have additional questions, contact the Member Services Department at Access Energy Cooperative.
Portable, gas-powered generators are a common source of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning after power outages, according to the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention.
The devices are used increasingly to provide electricity during temporary outages resulting from adverse weather events, but the CO produced during their operation can be a serious health hazard. The exhaust produced by the typical 5.5 kW generator contains as much CO as that of six idling automobiles. When used indoors or in close proximity to residential dwellings, this exhaust can quickly infiltrate living spaces and incapacitate occupants.
The CDC warns that portable generators should never be operated indoors, in garages, or outdoors anywhere near doors, windows, or vents of buildings that might be occupied.
The most frequently reported symptoms of CO poisioning are headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.