TIPS ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - GENERATOR

While generators can be used in a safe manner, improper use of a generator can pose significant hazards to you and your employees. Hazards include electric shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, explosion and fire.

Prevention of Electrical Shock

- A generator may not be connected to your business' electrical system with out approval from the City.

- Since the generator must be operated outside your business, it is required to be equipped with a ground fault interrupter.

- Only use grounded type extension cords that have the rated capacity to handle the given electrical load.

- Inspect all extension cords prior to use and never use a damaged cord.

- Do not run extension cords through water or across wet surfaces.

Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide (CO), but at high levels it can kill a person within minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels you or your employees can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Never operate a generator in an enclosed place including your garage or near an open door or window.

Gasoline safety tips

 - Always store gasoline in containers approved for the storage of gasoline.

- Never store gasoline in your building. Keep it in a detached garage or tool shed.

- Never fill your generator when it is running or when it is hot. Wait until it is cool before filing.

- Always refuel your generator outside away from any source of ignition.

- When refilling gasoline cans, always place the cans on the ground. Never fill a can that is in the bed of a truck or in a vehicle.

- Never transport gasoline in the trunk of your vehicle.

- Only store a reasonable amount of gasoline. The maximum quantity of gasoline stored should not exceed (10) gallons.

Hazards of Gasoline

- Gasoline vapors burn not the liquid.

- Gasoline will produce sufficient vapors to burn at any temperature above 44o Fahrenheit.

- The vapors are heavier than air and can travel a considerable distance before finding an ignition source.

- Static electricity will ignite gasoline vapors.

- Gasoline is lighter than water. Using water on gasoline fire will spread the fire.

- Gasoline is poisonous and can be fatal if swallowed.

Follow These Guidelines to Make Sure That Your Generator Is Working Safely

Some customers prepare for the possibility of power outages by buying an electric generator as a standby system to keep lights and appliances running until service is restored.

A generator may be able to save food in your refrigerator or freezer during a prolonged outage, let you keep your home office running, or power other essential equipment. Generators can be expensive and noisy. They can also pose serious safety hazards to you and to others, so please follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.

The law requires that customers with a permanently installed or portable generator do not connect it to another power source, such as PG&E's power lines. If you own and operate a generator, you are responsible for making sure that electricity from your unit cannot "backfeed," or flow into PG&E's power lines. For safety's sake, be sure to use your generator correctly. If you don't, you risk damaging your property and endangering your life and the lives of PG&E line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home.

Follow These Guidelines to Make Sure That Your Generator Is Working Safely

Some customers prepare for the possibility of power outages by buying an electric generator as a standby system to keep lights and appliances running until service is restored.

A generator may be able to save food in your refrigerator or freezer during a prolonged outage, let you keep your home office running, or power other essential equipment. Generators can be expensive and noisy. They can also pose serious safety hazards to you and to others, so please follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer.

The law requires that customers with a permanently installed or portable generator do not connect it to another power source, such as PG&E's power lines. If you own and operate a generator, you are responsible for making sure that electricity from your unit cannot "backfeed," or flow into PG&E's power lines. For safety's sake, be sure to use your generator correctly. If you don't, you risk damaging your property and endangering your life and the lives of PG&E line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home.

Permanent Standby Generators

When a generator is permanently connected to a customer's electric system, it energizes the building's wiring. This type of installation requires a device that prevents the generator from being connected to PG&E's power lines. Follow these safety tips:

-Only a qualified professional, such as a licensed electric contractor, should install a permanent standby generator.
-A double-pole, double-throw transfer switch (see diagram) is the recommended device to keep your generator from backfeeding into PG&E's system. The switch also keeps PG&E's power from re-energizing your house wiring while your generator is running, protecting your generator, wiring and appliances from damage when your service is restored.
-Have all additions to your house wiring inspected by your city or county building department.
-When installation is complete, call PG&E to let us know about your back-up system. We will make a note in our records to remind our workers of your generator if they are working on an outage in your area. In some cases, PG&E line workers may ask to check your electric generator transfer switch for safety.
-If you already have a permanently installed standby generator but you don't know if it's installed properly, call your local building inspector or a licensed contractor for help.
You are responsible for any injuries or damage to your property, your neighbors' or PG&E's, from an improperly installed or operated generator.

Portable Generators

Portable generators are designed to be connected only to selected appliances or lamps. These generators never should be connected directly to a building's wiring system.

-Before starting your generator, carefully read and follow all of the manufacturer's instructions.
-Be sure that the total electric load on your generator won't exceed the manufacturer's rating.
-Always locate your generator where its exhaust will vent safely.
-Prioritize your needs. Use the lowest wattage light bulbs that provide a safe level of light, reserving power for additional lighting elsewhere or a small appliance. Remember that the greater the load on your generator, the more fuel it will use.
-Keep cords out of the way so they don't present a tripping hazard -- especially in dimly lit doorways or halls. Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
-Extension cords must be properly sized to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires or damage to equipment.

Reference :
Website
http://www.pge.com/004_safety/004c6_elec_gen_safe.shtml
http://www.siliconvalleypower.com/Business/ElectricSafety/SafetyTips.html

Back