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Generator Safety
Ensuring a safer approach to power
No one likes power outages, but they’re unavoidable, and that’s where generators come in – they keep the lights on until utility crews restore power. However, if not used correctly, generators can pose serious safety risks, not just to you and your home but also to others, including the lineworkers working to restore your power.
Total Home Backup Generators
Total home backup generators power central air conditioning and electric heating systems. It automatically starts during power outages and handles the entire home’s electrical needs but is the most expensive option and requires professional installation.
Installation Safety
Operational Safety
Maintenance Safety
Portable Generators
Portable generators provide temporary power during outages, making them ideal for homes, job sites, and outdoor activities. They run on gasoline, propane, or diesel and can power lights, medical devices, and essential appliances, like refrigerators.
Carbon Monoxide
Overload Prevention
Fuel Handling
Regular Maintenance
Never Plug Your Portable Generator Directly into Your Home
Plugging a portable generator directly into a wall outlet (a dangerous practice called backfeeding) can create serious safety hazards, both for you and utility workers restoring power if you’re experiencing an outage.
Backfeeding Can Electrocute Lineworkers and Others
Your electrical panel connects to the grid and, without a transfer switch, a generator can send power backward through power lines. Lineworkers may think the lines are off, but backfeeding actually powers the line and can electrocute anything touching it.
Fire and Equipment Damage Risks
Backfeeding can overload your system, causing fires or appliance damage. When power is restored, colliding currents from the grid and your generator may cause a surge, destroying the generator or causing an explosion.
Only plug appliances into portable generators.