Portable electricity generators are a blessing in cases of temporary electric power failure or in remote locations with no electric power supply. For information on how to safely and efficiently use these generators please refer to this article. Generators are rated by their wattage, how many watts of power they produce and how much demand they can handle, and those whose wattage is higher than 2,500 watts do not classify as portable, or back-up, generators; 5000-watt generators, for example, are considered to be "whole house" generators because they can provide power to several major household appliances simultaneously.
Portable generators use a number of different fuels: gasoline, diesel, propane gas, or natural gas.
- Compared to gasoline generators, diesel generators have longer lifespans, use less fuel, and produce less heat. Eventually, diesel fuel will deteriorate. This is an important fact. You must keep fuel storage requirements in mind if you plan to use your generator in a secluded or remote place. You should also keep a stock of fuel if you are in a hurricane prone area, for example. Since many service station pumps run on electric power, a general outage in your area may mean that you won't be able to get any fuel for your generator. It is always a good habit to pour stored fuel into an automobile or a gas powered appliances every few months.
- The comparative price of gasoline compared to that of diesel fuel in the U.S changes yearly. Each gallon of diesel fuel produces more energy than a gallon of gasoline. In the same way as diesel, gasoline breaks down with the passage of time, and so unused fuel must be exchanged often.
- Propane gas can be safely stored because it does not decay/spoil. At -46 F, this changes into an easily compressed liquid. Compressed propane is sold in portable tanks at many service stations.
- Natural gas generators are only usable where your local utility service offers piped-in natural gas direct to the generator location. Propane compresses easily, in contrast to natural gas which does not.
While generators can be quite useful, they are also very dangerous if proper procedures are not followed. The safety measures below should be strictly adhered to
- The byproduct of running a fuel-powered generator is carbon dioxide, which is both invisible and odorless. Generators must never be used indoors. Otherwise, CO poisoning is likely to result from breathing the engine exhaust. Keep in mind though that this includes sheds, crawlspaces, garages etc.
- Keep your portable generator in a safe place, outdoors. Although you will need to run extension cords into your home to supply power, the generator should not be close to doors, windows or vents that might allow CO to come indoors.
- If it appears that you will need to use your portable generator on a regular basis, it would be a wise precaution to install battery operated CO alarms.
- There is always an electrical hazard element with the use of portable generators, especially if they are operated in wet conditions, like a power outage due to flooding. If it is raining, keep the generator covered, but don't use it inside buildings or near their entrances.
- Check to make sure you are using appropriate sized extension cords, designed for outdoor use. The rating for each cable must be enough to carry the total wattage of all the devices drawing current through it. If you overload a cord, it is likely to burn up and catch fire. It is important that cords should be damage free and that all three prongs still exist on the plug.
- Do not attempt to power your home wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, and never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. This will cause a reverse flow of electricity and represents electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors.
- To avoid burns and fires, turn off the generator and let it cool down before refueling; gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. - 15485
Portable generators use a number of different fuels: gasoline, diesel, propane gas, or natural gas.
- Compared to gasoline generators, diesel generators have longer lifespans, use less fuel, and produce less heat. Eventually, diesel fuel will deteriorate. This is an important fact. You must keep fuel storage requirements in mind if you plan to use your generator in a secluded or remote place. You should also keep a stock of fuel if you are in a hurricane prone area, for example. Since many service station pumps run on electric power, a general outage in your area may mean that you won't be able to get any fuel for your generator. It is always a good habit to pour stored fuel into an automobile or a gas powered appliances every few months.
- The comparative price of gasoline compared to that of diesel fuel in the U.S changes yearly. Each gallon of diesel fuel produces more energy than a gallon of gasoline. In the same way as diesel, gasoline breaks down with the passage of time, and so unused fuel must be exchanged often.
- Propane gas can be safely stored because it does not decay/spoil. At -46 F, this changes into an easily compressed liquid. Compressed propane is sold in portable tanks at many service stations.
- Natural gas generators are only usable where your local utility service offers piped-in natural gas direct to the generator location. Propane compresses easily, in contrast to natural gas which does not.
While generators can be quite useful, they are also very dangerous if proper procedures are not followed. The safety measures below should be strictly adhered to
- The byproduct of running a fuel-powered generator is carbon dioxide, which is both invisible and odorless. Generators must never be used indoors. Otherwise, CO poisoning is likely to result from breathing the engine exhaust. Keep in mind though that this includes sheds, crawlspaces, garages etc.
- Keep your portable generator in a safe place, outdoors. Although you will need to run extension cords into your home to supply power, the generator should not be close to doors, windows or vents that might allow CO to come indoors.
- If it appears that you will need to use your portable generator on a regular basis, it would be a wise precaution to install battery operated CO alarms.
- There is always an electrical hazard element with the use of portable generators, especially if they are operated in wet conditions, like a power outage due to flooding. If it is raining, keep the generator covered, but don't use it inside buildings or near their entrances.
- Check to make sure you are using appropriate sized extension cords, designed for outdoor use. The rating for each cable must be enough to carry the total wattage of all the devices drawing current through it. If you overload a cord, it is likely to burn up and catch fire. It is important that cords should be damage free and that all three prongs still exist on the plug.
- Do not attempt to power your home wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, and never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. This will cause a reverse flow of electricity and represents electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors.
- To avoid burns and fires, turn off the generator and let it cool down before refueling; gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. - 15485
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