Hazards with Portable Generators

Despite extensive Y2K testing of equipment by many power providers, the public remains uneasy about the possibility of power failure when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 1999.

This concern has prompted a significant increase in the sales of portable generators.

Portable generators provide a convenient means of supplying electricity during power outages, but the devices can be hazardous if used improperly. Two dangers are connected with the use of generators:

Electrocution

There are two ways of connecting to the generator for power. The simplest, and the cheapest, is to plug the necessary appliance(s) directly into the generator.

The second option is to hard-wire a generator to the house electrical system. Hard-wiring should only be done by a qualified electrician in accordance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.

The hook-up must include a transfer device to prevent the generator from "backfeeding" into the central distribution system. "Backfeed" describes how an electrical current (usually from a generator) flows back from a house to the central distribution system, fatally endangering any technician, lineperson, or electrician working on the system.

To prevent electrocution, the hook-up must
be inspected by the authority having jurisdiction in the area
(Electrical Safety Authority) after installation.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The second danger in using generators is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a combustion byproduct of the generator's engine. If the generator is used in a poorly ventilated area, or if the exhaust is allowed to run into the house, carbon monoxide can act as an asphyxiant, depriving victims of oxygen to breathe.

Areas where generators are operating must be well-ventilated. Engine exhaust should always be directed away from the house.

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