Released February 20, 2009
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Recently, a young woman was leaving a hardware store with an electric generator. A man standing outside the store asked her if she realized the generator she just purchased was electric, since the power had been out for a few days. She acknowledged she did then commented, "I want it to be quiet."
This episode, while true, is not to make fun of the young woman but to make a point that understanding generators is not as simple as it may seem. When the weather renders our homes and businesses powerless, whether it's from ice, thunderstorms, straight-line winds or tornadoes, a generator may seem a likely solution. However, it's vital to your safety that you understand what to purchase and how to properly operate and store a generator before you need one.
"Generators can be helpful when temporary or remote electricity is needed, but they can be hazardous," says Subodh Kulkarni, an extension engineering program associate with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. "When selecting a generator, don't just focus on the price per kilowatt of generator capacity or base your purchase on size. Instead, add the essential electric loads to determine the kilowatt capacity, and to reduce cost, size the generator to power only essential electric loads."
When you're without electricity, an engine-powered generator is what you will need to power essential items in your home, such as the refrigerator or freezer. You'll see both the generator and the engine powering the generator will be sold together as a single package or "genset." These can be an automatic-start standby generator or a manual start/pull cord design, and they're sized according to a KW (power) rating.
"It's important to become familiar with your new generator before you need it," Kulkarni advises. "If you know how to run it prior to an outage, you'll limit the time it takes to implement it as well as minimize the safety risk to your family, home and yourself."
First, read through the generator's operating guide and information provided with its packaging. Next, practice suing the generator in optimum conditions - a sunny, mild day - so you can determine what you'll need and how to set up for an emergency.
Finally, keep these tips from the Cooperative Extension Service in mind when installing, operating and disconnecting your generator:
- All connections exposed to the weather, should be covered with a durable, nonconductive, waterproof barrier. Apply electrical tape, plastic sheeting, etc., carefully so that the layers shed rather than trap water.
- Never run a generator in an enclosed area.
- Keep all guards and shields in place to protect the operator from moving parts.
- Always check for downed power lines or damaged circuits before connecting a generator.
- Use extreme caution, especially under wet conditions.
- Never refuel a generator engine that is hot or running. Never shut off the generator under load.
- Never store gasoline indoors or near the generator where gas vapors could be ignited by a spark from the generator.
For more information about generator selection and safety, contact your county extension agent or visit extension's Web site, http://www.uaex.edu, and use the search function to look for generator safety. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
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http://www.uaex.edu/news/february2009/0220disaster_generator_safety.htm
Contact: Lamar James, (501) 671-2187, ljames@uaex.edu
