Power outage or not,
if you have not been trained to do tree work around power lines, then you should not!
Glad you made it Ben!
Standby or Emergency Generators
We usually take electric power for granted, until we lose power due to an outage. Usually power is restored within a few hours, but during major ice storms, wind storms, or other disasters, it could take several days or longer for power company crews to restore power to everyone.
Inexpensive emergency back-up generators are available from home centers, mail order, and internet sources, so many of us keep a generator around for use when the power goes out.
Backup generators are handy, but they can also create a dangerous situation if not connected properly to your home’s electrical wiring.
Generators are sometimes permanently attached to the home wiring. If the connection to the home wiring is not done correctly, then the generator can feed into BARC’s power system and can electrocute linemen who are working to restore power.
Generators should never be connected to a home electrical outlet and should not be directly connected to the circuit breaker panel. Generators should only be connected to the home through what is called a “double pole, double throw switch”, sometimes called a two-way transfer switch. A qualified electrician can properly do this work. BARC’s responsibility for electric service ends at the meter, so we cannot know when or if you have installed a generator and we cannot know if the installation was done in accordance with the National Electric Code. Refer your electrician to the National Electric Code 700.6 and 702.6.
There is another reason for using a qualified electrician to do the work. If you plug your generator directly into a wall outlet, then the wiring in your house is no longer protected by a circuit breaker or fuse in your power panel. The wiring could become overloaded, overheat, and start a fire in your house.
Finally, the diesel or gasoline engine that drives an emergency generator has carbon monoxide in the exhaust. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Always consult the owner’s manual or operator’s manual for your generator regarding proper placement of the generator.
