Hurricane Emergency Power
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Article by: Howard Watkins Please don't kill the Utility Lineman In the last hour before a hurricane there is always a panic rush to purchase the last remaining portable gasoline emergency , Orchid Care - What The Roots Tell Us generator. Thousands of emergency , Facts about the marigold flower generators are sold over the counter to well meaning homeowners who are not aware of the consequences of an improper installation. Too often after the hurricane you hear of a lineman being killed by an improperly installed generator back feeding the utility lines. Improperly installed generators can pose serious dangers to you, your family and Power , In The Garden Planning Before Planting Is Key line construction crews. In the aftermath of a disaster , Using Popular Rose Varieties In Your Garden there are circumstances that circumvent conventional safety , Decorating Your Kitchen Garden procedures. The utility companies rely heavily on independent construction firms to quickly restore utility lines. Private contractor , Ideas On How To Use Fresh Herb Blends employees are sometimes less familiars with the territory and the established utility company procedures. On top of everything else there is the stress caused by working long hours in inclement conditions and the pressure to restore power , Go Easier on Yourself this Fall to thousands of customers some of whom are in dire need. As an electrician I am often sought out on the day of the hurricane for free consultation on the installation of emergency , Roses Are Red, Violets Are Dead: Taking Care of Cut Flowers generators. I say free because no-one ever expects to pay for professional advise unless it's from a doctor or lawyer. I often have strangers come to my home , Preserving Flowers From A Potpourri Garden at odd hours for advise about electrical installations or problems. Of course in the Deep South this kind of hospitality is usually expected and I am always willing to offer free advise where safety , A Beginner's Guide To Caring For A Bonsai Tree is concerned. I discourage connecting portable generators directly into the building's wiring system. But if one insists, I always recommend the use of a double throw transfer switch to prevent the generator from back feeding the utility lines. I even recommend some competent contractors , Roses Are Red, Violets Are Dead: Taking Care of Cut Flowers who are qualified and licensed , A Look at Kids Bunk Beds to make a proper and safe , Preparing Successful Seedlings installation. My last words are always a warning of the criminal charges and the liability for endangering the life of electrical utility workers. I'm aware that in most cases my advice , Growing Fruit Trees and Citrus Trees is not taken seriously where safety , Go Easier on Yourself this Fall is concerned. The generator should be properly installed before an emergency , Emerald Green Arborvitae for Feasterville Pa. exist rather than the hour just before or after the next hurricane. If you insist on connecting a generator to the existing wiring system of your home , Flood Insurance or business you must use a double throw transfer switch. The Transfer switch is essential for the protection of linemen who are working to restore power. , Garden Heating The Traditional Way You can be held liable for the loss of life or property , The Benefits Of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks damage caused by back feeding the utility lines. A transfer switch or relay is also required by municipal and building , Decorating Your Kitchen Garden codes. Here are some additional safety tips , Roses Are Red, Violets Are Dead: Taking Care of Cut Flowers for installing and using portable emergency , Seven Ways to Emphasize a Decor Style generators. 1- Read, understand and follow the manufacturer's instructions. 2- never operates the generator indoors , Growing and Caring For Rhododendrons and Azaleas or in a closed space. Avoid a danger of carbon , A Beginner's Guide To Caring For A Bonsai Tree monoxide poisoning and ignition of fumes caused by fuel evaporation. 3- doesn't overload the generator. Overloading can cause damage to the generator as well as creating a fire , Welcome To Michigan hazard. 4- to avoid electrical shock the generator must be properly grounded. The best place , A Look at Kids Bunk Beds to ground your generator is by the grounding connection of the electrical service. This may be a ground rod or a cold water , The Benefits Of Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks pipe. Only a qualified electrician should make any connection inside , Ideas On How To Use Fresh Herb Blends the electrical service panel. Don't open any existing ground connections. 5- all electric , Terrace Gardening And Landscaping Ideas connections must comply with the National Electrical Code. You may be liable for damage to property , 10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting or injury to people that may result from an improperly installed or operation of an emergency , How To Install Window Treatments Like A Pro generator. 6- never never feed power , Go Easier on Yourself this Fall from your generator into a wall , Garden Heating The Traditional Way outlet. A fire , Rustic stone house signs hazard exists if the branch circuit is not large enough to handle the entire load. Usually it is not. Than there is the hazard of having an energized male plug end. Above all if the wiring is not isolated the generator will back feed the utility lines. 7- Operation in wet weather , Emerald Green Arborvitae for Feasterville Pa. or under potentially wet conditions may cause electrical shock or electrocution. Avoid contact with the generator if you are wet or standing in water. , 6 Indoor Plants That Love The Dark: A Tip From The Garden Center Nursery 8- Check cords running from your generator to make sure they are in good condition, rated for outdoor , Emerald Green Arborvitae for Feasterville Pa. use and are the proper wire gauge size for the appliance load. 9- do not store fuel indoors , Decorating Your Kitchen Garden or refuel your generator while it's running. As I am writing this piece in the aftermath of hurricane Emily the news reports a lineman in Georgia killed by a back fed utility line. About the Author Howard Watkins is a retired Master Electrician and presently the webmaster and editor of http://brassmein.com A consruction industry information , Why Organic Gardening? website. |
  
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