Staying safe with portable generator

Carbon monoxide poisoning. Electrocution. Fire. With all the possible safety hazards that can occur if you misuse a portable generator, you have to wonder why homeowners take the risks.

"Lights being off, using candles -- it gets old quickly," says Duff Jones, owner of Ron Jones Power Equipment, a Spanaway, Wash., supplier. "It doesn't take long to get unhappy."

But you can be snug and safe with your generator, as long as you follow the rules. First, let's look at the dangers.

Carbon monoxide:Œ

The gasoline-powered motor that runs a generator is an internal combustion engine, much like a miniature automobile engine. Like a car engine, the generator motor gives off carbon monoxide -- a deadly, colorless, odorless gas.

If you start to feel sick or dizzy while using a generator, get some fresh air immediately.

Never run a generator indoors. Keep it outside, away from doors, windows and vents -- both yours and your neighbor's. Experts advise that you also avoid running the generator in a garage -- even with the door open. Likewise, avoid placing your running generator in a basement, crawl space or any enclosed area.

On the other hand, experts also say to keep your generator dry and level.

So where should it go?

Richard Friel, an electrical inspector for Tacoma Public Utilities, suggests sheltering a generator under a large tarp, canopy or lean-to. He said some people have tried to run generators in their garden shed, but often that results in the machine choking on its own fumes and shutting off.

Keep the generator level by using a concrete slab or leveled concrete blocks.

"And be sure to find a big chain," Friel adds, noting that generators are the frequent targets of thieves.

Electrical danger

An improperly installed generator can "backfeed" into outside utility lines and electrocute utility workers or others who come into contact with downed lines. For this reason, you should never plug a generator into a wall electrical outlet.

Plugging a generator into a wall outlet could also barbecue your home's wiring.

Keep your generator dry, and dry your hands before touching it.

Fire and other dangers

The muffler and other parts of the generator heat up with use. So avoid touching it while it's running.

Turn the generator off and let it cool before adding fuel. Gasoline that spills onto hot engine parts could ignite, so be sure to wipe up any spilled fuel.

Know how to stop the generator in an emergency.

Buying a generator

Generators can range in cost from $500 for the smallest, which may run a few lights, to $5,000 for some of the largest, which can power considerably more. Major manufacturers include Honda, Onan and Yamaha.

Sizing it up

Generators are rated by watts.

It's important to buy a generator that offers enough wattage to start your equipment, as well as run it. Electric motors may require two to six times their running power to kick on.

For example, a furnace fan for a gas or oil furnace may consume anywhere from 300 to 875 watts while it's running. But turning the fan on may require 800 to more than 3,000 watts. A refrigerator might need 3,000 watts to start its motor, but only use 800 while it's running. Consult the manufacturer if you're uncertain of a device's electrical requirements.

"The more stuff you want to run at the same time, the bigger generator you'll need," says Jones. And the bigger the generator, the more fuel it will burn.

Generators may also be rated with one wattage for maximum output and a lower wattage for continuous operation. Make sure the continuous-duty rating can handle all the appliances that will be operating at the same time.

Homeowners can manage their electrical load to avoid overloading the generator. Unhook your refrigerator and other appliances while you run the electric pump to your well, for example. (There's no need to plug the fridge in permanently. A fully loaded refrigerator will keep food cold about six hours if it isn't opened; an unopened freezer will keep food frozen about 48 hours.)

Lousy at math? Ask an electrician or your electric utility to help you calculate how much wattage you'll need from your generator.

Installing the generator

Generators can be installed permanently, or as temporary or portable devices.

A permanently installed generator can power life support or other emergency equipment. It can switch on automatically within a few seconds after a power outage.

Experts at electric utilities say it's best to hire an electrical contractor to hook up a permanent generator to your home's wiring.

A contractor will install something called a transfer switch, which looks like a small electrical panel or mini circuit breaker. You choose which appliances will run on these special circuits in an emergency. During a power outage, the transfer switch isolates the generator from the outside power supply.

"Everything in that panel will be energized by the generator," says Friel.

When utility power returns, an automatic transfer switch shuts down the generator and switches your home back to the grid.

Many homeowners opt for something more temporary that can be used during a power outage. To use a portable generator, you can plug your appliance directly into the generator using a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated, three-prong extension cord. Make sure the cord is rated high enough to carry the electrical load you'll place on it.

Portable generators can also be wired into a transfer switch for extra safety.

It's also important to make sure multiple electrical cords don't present a tripping hazard. Don't run the cords under rugs, however. This could cause heat buildup that could ignite the rug.