As we prepare for a potential winter storm, the team at Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) reminds customers they are aware that portable generators are selling out everywhere. While generators can be a huge help during outages, using one the wrong way can put your family and the lineworkers, working to restore your power, in danger.
SVEC wants the community to know that an improperly connected generator can send power back onto lines that are supposed to be de-energized. This “backfeed” can seriously injure or kill someone who is working to get your lights back on.
Before you start up a generator, please keep these life-saving tips in mind:
NEVER backfeed a generator
• Never plug a generator into a wall outlet or dryer plug
• Only connect generators through a properly installed transfer switch or interlock
ALWAYS keep generators outside
• At least 20 feet away from your home
• Never in a garage, basement, or near windows or doors
• Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and deadly
Use the right equipment
• Use outdoor-rated, heavy-duty extension cords
• Let generators cool before refueling
When in doubt, stop and call a licensed electrician
If you aren’t 100% sure your setup is safe, don’t guess.
Their team understands that outages are stressful. Generators should bring comfort, not risk. Protect your home. Protect your family. And help protect the lineworkers who are out there in the cold working to serve you.
