This is a Public Service Announcement from Generator Guru Parts and Spares.

Snow is beautiful, but it can be a killer... So can your Generator... We have put together some free advice for all generator owners who are trying to keep warm and safe by following our 4-steps.

1) NEVER RUN YOUR GENERATOR INSIDE, IN A GARAGE OR NEAR TO A BUILDING

You might keep the generator safe from the storm, but the carbon monoxide will kill you! Over 70% of carbon monoxide poisonings are due to generators being run indoors, in garages, or too close to the building. And do NOT believe that pointing the muffler out the door will prevent this. Sooo many dead people have thought this! (see More Info.)

If you are worried about the generator being stolen, try locking it to a tree or pole. Just be sure to keep it away from the buildings that are occupied.

2) ELECTRICITY BACK-FEED CAN CAUSE FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

When the grid electricity comes back on it will feed back into the Generator alternator if you do not have a transfer switch installed. This will cause a fire in the alternator, which considering it is sat underneath a tank of fuel, is a very bad combination!

We do not advise any connection of the generator apart from a professionally fitted Transfer Switch. But we are aware, many people have had no choice but to bypass this due to the recent life-threatening circumstances. If you have had to bypass the system, you must be sure the mains switch entering the building is turned off by the main breaker while the generator is connected. 

3) DO NOT PLACE GENERATORS WHERE THEY CAN GET WET FROM SNOW OR WATER RUN-OFF

Electricity and Water do not mix!! Keep portable Generators covered from heavy snow fall but be sure not to restrict air flow as this creates a fire hazard and will damage your engine and alternator as they are more likely to overheat. A wet alternator will not produce power and will possibly cause a fault so keep snow around your generator clear. When the snow starts to melt be sure the generator is not sitting in water. Raising it on a pallet might be a good option as the snow melts.

4) ALWAYS EARTH GROUND YOUR GENERATOR BEFORE USE

If there is a fault or water gets into the generator it could make the whole generator live with electricity. The metal components and frame conduct the electricity, effectively making the whole generator one big electricity connection between the generator voltage output and whatever it can find to ground the power. If someone were to touch the generator while it was live, and the generator is not earth grounded, the electricity will discharge through the person electrocuting them! Much like when you get hit by lightning, but in this case the electricity will keep flowing until the generator is turned off.

In addition to this, if you do not ground the generator, it can cause static in the fuel tank and can cause an explosion!

It is easy to ground the generator. On the front of all generator control panels there should be a grounding connection pin. You can identify it by a symbol that looks like an arrow pointing down with lines. Using electrical wire, connect these grounding connections to a metal object that penetrates the ground (Do not connect to gas pipes. Water pipes or grounding spike is best, but in a crunch tent pegs and long screwdrivers work well). This will earth ground your generator and keep you safe.

This is a Public Service Announcement from Generator Guru Parts and Spares.

Generator Guru is the World-Leading supplier of Parts and Spare for Portable Electricity Generators. Stocking over 600,000 Parts and Service Kits available for ordering online.

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