While San Patricio Electric Cooperative does its best every day to ensure you have reliable electric service, there are circumstances beyond its control that can cause power outages, including extreme weather. In the event of a hurricane or any major weather event, portable generators are a great short-term solution to power outages. However, they aren’t without their risks.

Here are some things to keep in mind when operating your generator:

Do Not Use a Generator Inside

Never use a generator inside a home or in any partially enclosed area. Generators emit carbon monoxide (CO), which is extremely toxic and can be deadly. Using a generator improperly by running it in confined areas could be fatal. Generators should never be running inside a home or even a garage.

Keep Generators a Safe Distance From the Home

It is recommended to keep generators at least 20 feet from the home or any open airway into the home, including doors, vents and windows. Although the generator is outside the home, when it is placed near ventilation, the CO emissions coming from the generator can still be sucked into the home.

Keep Generators Dry

When working with any electrical equipment, it is important to keep it dry. The same goes for generators. To avoid getting an electrical shock, generators should be operated on dry, covered ground with dry hands.

Turn Generators Off When Refueling

It is important to turn off your generator before refueling to avoid causing a fire. Gasoline or other fuel can ignite if it comes into contact with a hot engine. When it is time to refuel, turn off the generator and give it some time to cool off—about 15-20 minutes.

Use a Three-Prong Plug

Use a three-prong plug when plugging cords into the generator. The rounded third prong on a plug serves as a grounding wire or ground prong. In the case of a malfunction, the ground wire is an emergency path for electricity that saves you and your devices from electrical shock.  When choosing an extension cord, make sure that it is rated for outdoor use and is free of cuts and damage.

Consider a Transfer Switch

Never plug a generator directly into your home’s wiring, unless, of course, you have a transfer switch installed. Plugging your generator directly into your home can cause backfeeding which is dangerous to not only you but also to our linemen that might be working to restore your electricity. Having a transfer switch installed allows for a safe and convenient way to connect a portable generator to your home.

SPEC offers sells and installs GenerLink Transfer Switches that can be used to connect a portable generator to your home. For a quote, contact SPEC’s master electrician at 361-364-2220 or mdavis@sanpatricioelectric.org.

Written by Parker Lee, SPEC's Public Relation Intern