Winter storms, ice, and high winds can cause power outages in the Baltimore area, and a portable generator is one way households prepare. Used properly, a generator can keep a refrigerator, a few lights, and a heating system fan running. Used improperly, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and electrocution.
This article reviews common safety guidance and the role of a licensed electrician. Follow the generator manufacturer instructions, and do not connect a generator to a building without proper equipment installed in line with local code.
Carbon Monoxide Is the First Concern
Generator exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless and can build up quickly in enclosed spaces. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, in a crawl space, or near open windows, doors, or vents. Safety agencies commonly advise placing it outdoors well away from the building, with the exhaust pointed away from it.
Install battery-powered or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in the home, and test them. If an alarm sounds or anyone feels dizzy, nauseated, or has a headache, get outside to fresh air and call emergency services.
Never Backfeed Through an Outlet
Some people plug a generator into a wall outlet using a cord with two male ends. This is dangerous and is prohibited by electrical codes. It can send electricity back onto utility lines, endangering line workers, and it can damage your home wiring or the generator.
Instead, plug appliances directly into the generator using cords rated for the load, or have a licensed electrician install a transfer switch or an interlock and inlet that is approved for the purpose.
What a Transfer Switch Does
A transfer switch isolates your home wiring from the utility while the generator is running and allows selected circuits to be powered safely. They come in manual and automatic types, and different designs serve a few circuits or an entire panel. The right choice depends on the generator size, the circuits you want to power, and local code.
- Make a list of what you really need to run during an outage.
- Ask an electrician to size the generator and the transfer equipment together.
- Ask about permits and inspection for the installation.
- Ask where the inlet should be located and how the generator will be placed outdoors.
Fueling and Storage
Let the generator cool before refueling, and store fuel in approved containers away from living spaces and ignition sources. Run the generator periodically, as the manual recommends, so that it will start when needed. Fuel left over from last season may need to be replaced.
Electrical Protection
Keep the generator dry, but do not run it under a tarp that traps exhaust. If you must use it in rain, use a properly designed cover or canopy that allows ventilation. Use ground-fault protection where recommended, and keep cords off wet ground.
Do not overload the generator. Add up the wattage of what you plan to run, remembering that motors need extra power at startup, and stay within the rating.
Standby Generators and Other Options
Some owners prefer a permanently installed standby generator, which connects to the home electrical system and a fuel supply. That is a larger project, with permits and professional installation. Our emergency electrical services and residential services pages describe related work. For businesses with critical equipment, a contractor can discuss backup power and which loads need it; see our commercial services page.
Prepare Before the Storm
The time to plan is before the outage, not during it. Decide where the generator will run, test it, store fuel safely, and keep a flashlight handy. If you are planning an installation, scheduling it before the cold season gives you time for permits and inspection.
Running a Generator Day to Day
During an outage, set up the generator outdoors before dark, and keep a clear, dry, level area around it. Turn off or unplug appliances before starting it, and add loads one at a time. Do not refuel it while it is running or hot. Check on it periodically, and shut it off if you hear unusual sounds or smell something wrong.
Talk With a Licensed Electrician
Thinking about generator hookups before winter? A licensed electrician can discuss safe options and handle installation in line with local code.
To discuss your project, visit our contact page or call McDaniel Electrical Construction at (410) 303-8453.