Portable Generators can be used to supply electricity to your appliances during a power outage; however, if used improperly they can kill you and the people who are restoring power to your building. They can also damage the appliances you have connected to them.
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| Attempt to connect a portable generator directly to the electrical system of any building. |
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 NSP's line crew is restoring electrical service while your portable generator is connected to the incoming utility service, you could start a fire or seriously damage your building. |
A Certified Construction Electrician must install an approved transfer switch to connect the portable generator directly to the buildings electrical system. This is required by the Canadian Electrical Code. |
| Fail to ground the portable generator's electrical system adequately. |
Entire portable generator could become electrically charged and cause electrocution. |
Where the portable generator is directly connected to the buildings electrical system make sure that the unit is properly grounded in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code and/or as may be directed by Nova Scotia Power.
If the portable generator is not being connected to the buildings electrical system, it is recommended that a type with the neutral bonded (grounded) to the frame be used.
Where a neutral floating type portable generator is used follow the manufacturers instructions for grounding requirements.
For further information, see Office Of The Fire Marshal - Portable Generator Safety |
| Operate portable generator in rain, wet, icy or flooded conditions. |
Water conducts electricity. If water comes in contact with electricity to the portable generator's frame and other surfaces, it will cause an electrical shock to anyone contacting them. |
Operate portable generator in a clean, dry, well ventilated area. Make sure your hands are dry. |
| Use worn damaged, undersized or ungrounded extension cords. |
Contact with worn or damaged extension cords could cause electrocution. Undersized 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. |
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.
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| Place portable generator on or against un-grounded conductive surface, such as a steel walk way or metal roof. |
Electrical current could leak out and charge conductive surfaces in contact with portable generator. |
Place portable generator on a low conductivity surface such as a concrete slab. |
| Improperly connect appliances or tools to portable generator. |
Exceeding the load capacity of the portable 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. |
Understand load ratings. (See sample chart above) Make sure that the total of electrical loads for all attachments does not exceed the load rating of the portable generator. |
| Operate unit when damaged, or with guards or panels removed. |
Using a damaged or poorly functioning unit could cause fire or electrocution. |
Do not operate portable generator if it has a mechanical or electrical problem. Do not operate portable generator with protective guarding removed. |
| Attempt to fill the fuel tank while the engine is running |
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. |
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. |
| Expose portable generator to sparks, fire or hot objects. |
Cigarettes, sparks, fires or other hot objects can cause gasoline or gasoline vapors to ignite. |
Add fuel only in a well ventilated area. Make sure there are no sources of ignition near the portable generator. |
| Improperly store portable generator fuel. |
Improperly stored fuel could ignite or get into the hands of children or other unqualified persons |
Store fuel in approved containers. Store container in secure location to prevent use by others. |
| Fail to ventilate portable generator by operating in an enclosed area. |
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. |
Operate portable generator in a clean, dry, well ventilated area. Keep objects away from unit during operation. Do not operate unit inside or in a confined area such as a garage or storage shed. Portable generators require 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. |
| Tamper with factory set engine speed settings. |
Tampering with the engine speed adjustment could result in overheating of attachments and could cause a fire. |
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. |
| Operate portable generator in careless manner. |
Unsafe operation or maintenance of your portable generator could lead to serious injury or death to you or others. |
Review and understand all of the operating instructions and warnings supplied with the unit. Keep children or others away from the portable generator at all times. |
