Backup Generator Safety

A backup generator offers great benefits if an outage affects your home. In using a generator, it is always wise to practice safety precautions.

First, for the safety of our line personnel, it is important that the Cooperative's lines do not become energized by a standby power source. No member-consumer is allowed to introduce a supply of electricity in conjunction with service supplied by the Cooperative without prior approval.
A transfer switch, or relay of adequate capacity must be provided and connected, before member-consumers are approved to operate a backup generator.
Always read and follow the instructions.
Connecting a generator directly to your home's wiring can cause damaging and potentially deadly backfeed. The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch.
Do not plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet. You may start a fire in your home.
Do not use the generator to operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator.
A portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide, so never operate it indoors or in an attached garage.
Make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Use appropriate power cords to connect appliances to the generator. This usually means outdoor-rated, heavy-duty cords.
Store flammable generator fuel outside your home.
Shut off all appliances and equipment operating from your generator before powering down the generator itself.
Keep kids away from the generator.