There are several myths that we hear about portable generators. Here we will attempt to address these and hopefully help you to maintain safe operation.
1) I don't need anything special for my portable generator - I can just plug it into my electric dryer receptacle. FALSE
When the electricity goes out the wires from your house are STILL connected to the electric utility company. If you simply connect your portable generator to your electric dryer receptacle not only will you be energizing your house but also the electrical system outside your home. This is a very dangerous situation as utility workers attempt to restore electrical service to your neighborhood.
2) I can just connect my portable generator to my electric panel - I don't need any special equipment. FALSE
Although connecting a portable generator directly to your electrical panel may seem like a good idea it is in fact very dangerous without the proper equipment installed to make it safe. Just as plugging it into the electric dryer receptacle, connecting your portable generator directly into your electrical panel has the same dangers with the added danger of not properly operating the breakers in your panel could be life threatening if your generator is still running when the electricity is restored by the electric utility company.
3) I know what I'm doing - I don't need special equipment
Although YOU may know exactly how to connect, start, disconnect, and shut down your generator let me just give you this simple but common senerio:
The power goes out in your neighborhood but is still on where you work so you get your generator going and presto your house has power so you and your family can get ready for the day. YOU leave for work while the rest of your family is still at home running on generator power. A little while later your neighbor informs your family that the power has been restored and that they can shut off the generator. Although they have seen you shut it down many times something goes terribly wrong. Someone turns on the main breaker BEFORE shutting down or disconnecting the generator. Suddenly your electrical panel is connected to the electric utility on one side and your generator on the other and they meet right in the middle of your panel. The electrical energy available in this situation can and probably will cause your electric panel to literally explode severely injuring or even killing anyone standing in the area.
There are safe and effective ways to connect a portable generator to your house without running cords throughout your home. Please contact Electric Connection for more information.
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