Today In Mississippi

Transfer of power:
Use emergency generator safely

Countless Mississippians bought emergency generators after Hurricane Katrina wiped out their electric service in August 2005. But buying a generator during an emergency is not the best time. Installing a generator should be done carefully and should not be rushed.

Improperly installing and running a generator can kill you or the line personnel trying to restore power. Improper use can also damage or destroy appliances, cause fire or cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

The safety of transferring your power needs to an emergency generator is your responsibility. The biggest concern is proper hookup of the generator. It must be hooked up through a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch unless you are plugging in individual appliances directly to the generator. When you’re using your generator to provide power to the whole house, a transfer switch disconnects your wiring system and generator from your electric power association’s system. This eliminates any chance of the generator feeding power back into the association’s system.

A qualified, licensed electrician should be hired to install the transfer switch in accordance with the National Electrical Code and any local ordinances. The generator should be properly grounded, too. A minimum of 10-gauge wiring must be used. During an outage, pulling the handle down switches the source of the electricity from the co-op’s lines to your generator.

We can't stress enough the importance of using a transfer switch and hooking up the generator properly. The danger works the other way, too. Should service be restored while the generator is running without a proper transfer switch, the generator can be damaged or destroyed.

Small generators are usually not powerful enough to run your complete household needs. Overloading can cause damage to the generator and appliances. It can also cause a fire hazard. Undersized extension cords can also overheat. List all of the appliances and their wattage totals you want to run. Remember starting loads are often greater, but your generator should be sized to handle this load. Voltage levels may fluctuate from portable generators, which can cause damage to your electrical appliances. Be sure and start the largest motor or appliance first. Don’t attempt to speed up the engine for more output.

Install the generator in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area. Do not operate the generator in rain or flooded conditions—water and electricity don't mix!

Don’t let a weather disaster turn into a personal disaster. If you need an emergency generator, by all means, purchase one now and have a transfer switch installed before the storm hits.

Your electric power association’s line personnel will always work tirelessly to get your power back on as quickly as possible. It’s a dangerous job even in the best of conditions.

By installing a double-pole, double-throw generator transfer switch you'll know you've protected them and your home. They'll appreciate your concern for their safety.

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Electric Power Associations of Mississippi
P.O. Box 3300 Ridgeland, Mississippi 39158-3300 phone 601.605.8600 fax 601.605.8601