| If
you do this |
This
could happen |
Unless
you prevent it |
|
1. Attempt to connect generator
directly to the electrical system of any building.
|
1. You can kill or injure a person
repairing service lines. The electricity you generate will back
feed through the building's electrical system to the outside utility
feed lines. Attempting to connect to the incoming utility service
could result in electrocution.
If your electric cooperative's line crew is restoring
electrical service while your generator is connected to the incoming
utility service, you could start a fire or seriously damage your
building.
|
1. A qualified, licensed electrician
must install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch to connect the
generator to a building's electrical system. This is required by
the National Electrical Code. Connection must meet local
ordinances. A minimum of 10-guage wiring must be used.
|
| 2. Fail to ground the generator's
electrical system adequately. |
2. Entire generator could become
electrically charged and cause electrocution. |
2. Make sure that the unit is
connected to an appropriate electrical ground, in accordance with the
National Electric Code. follow instructions supplied with the
generator. |
| 3. Operate generator in rain, wet,
icy or flooded conditions. |
3. Water conducts electricity, If
water which comes in contact with electricity to the generator's frame
and other surfaces, it will cause an electrical shock to anyone
contacting them. |
3. Operate generator in a clean, dry,
well ventilated area. Make sure your hands are dry. |
| 4. Use worn damaged, undersized or
ungrounded extension cords. |
4. Contact with worn or damaged
extension cords could cause electrocution. Undersize extension
cords could overheat wires or attached items, resulting in fire.
Use of ungrounded cordsets could prevent operation of circuit breakers
and result in electrical shock. |
4. Inspect extension cords before use
and replace with new if required. Use proper size (wire gauge)
cordset for application. follow instructions supplied with your
unit. Always use electrically grounded cordsets. |
| 5. Place generator on or against
un-grounded conductive surface, such as a steel walking way or metal
roof. |
5. Electrical current could leak out
and charge conductive surfaces in contact with generator. |
5. Place generator on low
conductivity surface such as a concrete slab. |
|
6. Improperly connect appliances or
tools to generator.
|
6. Exceeding the load capacity of the
generator by attaching too many items with very high load ratings, could
overheat some items or their attachment wiring and cause fire or
electrical shock.
|
6. Understand load ratings. (See
sample chart.) Make sure that the total of electrical loads for
all attachments does not exceed the load rating of the
generator.
|
| 7. Operate unit when damaged, or with
guards or panels removed. |
7. Using a damaged or poorly
functioning unit could cause fire or electrocution. Removing
guards could |
7. Do not operate generator if it has
a mechanical or electrical problem. Do not operate generator with
protective guarding removed. |
| 8.Attempt to fill the fuel tank while the
engine is running |
8. Gasoline and gasoline vapors can
become ignited by coming in contact with hot components such as the
muffler, engine exhaust gases or from an electrical spark. |
8. Turn engine off and allow it to
cool before adding fuel. Make sure there's a fire extinguisher in
the immediate area certified to handle gasoline or fuel fires. |
| 9. Expose generator to sparks, fire
or hot objects. |
9. Cigarettes, sparks, fires or other
hot objects can cause gasoline or gasoline vapors to ignite. |
9. Add fuel only in a well ventilated
area. Make sure there are no sources of ignition near the
generator. |
| 10. Improperly store generator fuel. |
10. Improperly stored fuel could
ignite or get into the hands of children or other unqualified persons |
10. Store fuel in properly designed
container. Store container in secure location to prevent use by
others. |
| 11. Fail to ventilate generator by
operating in an enclosed area. |
11.Obstructing ventilation causes
overheating and possible ignition of the materials. You will
produce toxic carbon monoxide exhaust fumes from the engine.
Breathing exhaust fumes will cause serious injury or death. |
11. Operate generator in a clean,
dry, well ventilated area. Keep objects away from unit during
operation. Do not operate unit in a confined area, such as
garages, basements, storage sheds, etc., which lack a steady exchange of
air. Never operate unit in a location occupied by humans or
animals. Keep children, pets and others away from where it's
operating. |
| 12. Tamper with factory set engine
speed settings. |
12. Tampering with the engine speed
adjustment could result in overheating of attachments and could cause a
fire. |
12. Never attempt to
"speed-up" the engine to obtain more performance. Both
the output voltage and frequency will be thrown out of standard by this
practice, endangering you and the attachments. |
| 13. Operate generator in careless
manner. |
13. Unsafe operation or maintenance
of your generator could lead to serious injury or death to you or
others. |
13. Review and understand all of the
operating instructions and warnings supplied with the unit. Keep
children or others away from the generator at all times. |
Generator Safety
