8/26/2011 01:20:00 PM
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Generators still in stock in Shrewsbury, but going fast
SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – As folks prepare to hunker down this weekend many have been turning to the local home stores to buy up a portable home generator. Massachusetts Emergency officials are warning residents that high winds combined with tree roots soaked by up to 10 inches of rain, create a real possibility for downed trees and of course power lines. While crews are being lined up to restore power as soon as possible, officials are telling residents to be prepared for up to one-week without electrical power. While many of us have had our generators for years, and others purchased theirs after the ice storm a few years ago, the majority of folks have yet to take that step – and this weeks events seem to be driving many to the stores trying to grab theirs before they’re gone.
If you do go out to make the big jump, here are a few simple recommendations. First, try to get one with an electric start. They’re so much easier to use, and that not only means a simpler set up in an emergency, but also that you will test it regularly by just running it for a few minutes every couple of weeks. You also want at least 6-7000 watts of power, so that you can run multiple systems in your home at once. Here’s a good example of a potential options that has the features you want. Portable Generator
It’s too late to do it before this storm, but afterwards if you have a chance, buy yourself a transfer switch and have an electrician professionally install it for you. This ties your circuit breaker box into an external outlet to allow you to safely connect your portable generator directly to your existing circuits. This will allow you to run 6-10 different 15-20amp circuits indefinitely in the event of an outage, enough to power your furnace, lights, refrigerator, and anything else of importance. Here’s an example of the switch I purchased years ago. Transfer Switch
One more thing. Should you go out and invest in a generator, you also need to remember to purchase three long, heavy duty extension cords, at least 50-100 feet long, and preferably in different colors. Home Depot has a huge selection in stock. The best ones even have a built in triple outlet so you can plug three things into one.
Last, but perhaps most important, is to practice generator safety. One of the leading causes of death during storms, is oddly enough, people who were killed by misusing their home generators during a resultant power failure. Here are a list of crucial tips, published by the emergency management folks.
———————————
Do not connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can “backfeed” onto the power lines connected to your home.
Utility transformers can then “step-up” or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts —enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.
Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.
Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize “dead” power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
Don’t overload the generator.
Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment.
Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage – even with the door open!
Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to the home and protected from direct exposures to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport.
Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instruction for safe operation.
Do not cut corners when it comes to safety. Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s owner manual.
SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts – As folks prepare to hunker down this weekend many have been turning to the local home stores to buy up a portable home generator. Massachusetts Emergency officials are warning residents that high winds combined with tree roots soaked by up to 10 inches of rain, create a real possibility for downed trees and of course power lines. While crews are being lined up to restore power as soon as possible, officials are telling residents to be prepared for up to one-week without electrical power. While many of us have had our generators for years, and others purchased theirs after the ice storm a few years ago, the majority of folks have yet to take that step – and this weeks events seem to be driving many to the stores trying to grab theirs before they’re gone.
If you do go out to make the big jump, here are a few simple recommendations. First, try to get one with an electric start. They’re so much easier to use, and that not only means a simpler set up in an emergency, but also that you will test it regularly by just running it for a few minutes every couple of weeks. You also want at least 6-7000 watts of power, so that you can run multiple systems in your home at once. Here’s a good example of a potential options that has the features you want. Portable Generator
It’s too late to do it before this storm, but afterwards if you have a chance, buy yourself a transfer switch and have an electrician professionally install it for you. This ties your circuit breaker box into an external outlet to allow you to safely connect your portable generator directly to your existing circuits. This will allow you to run 6-10 different 15-20amp circuits indefinitely in the event of an outage, enough to power your furnace, lights, refrigerator, and anything else of importance. Here’s an example of the switch I purchased years ago. Transfer Switch
One more thing. Should you go out and invest in a generator, you also need to remember to purchase three long, heavy duty extension cords, at least 50-100 feet long, and preferably in different colors. Home Depot has a huge selection in stock. The best ones even have a built in triple outlet so you can plug three things into one.
Last, but perhaps most important, is to practice generator safety. One of the leading causes of death during storms, is oddly enough, people who were killed by misusing their home generators during a resultant power failure. Here are a list of crucial tips, published by the emergency management folks.
———————————
Do not connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can “backfeed” onto the power lines connected to your home.
Utility transformers can then “step-up” or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts —enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.
Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.
Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize “dead” power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
Don’t overload the generator.
Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment.
Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage – even with the door open!
Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to the home and protected from direct exposures to rain, preferably under a canopy, open shed, or carport.
Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instruction for safe operation.
Do not cut corners when it comes to safety. Carefully read and observe all instructions in your generator’s owner manual.
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