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Generator Safety

YOUR PORTABLE GENERATOR CAN BE DEADLY!

Deadly to you – Each year people die from using portable generators following a weather-related crisis.  A warning affixed to portable generators by the Consumer Product Safety Commission states “using a generator indoors will kill you in minutes!”.  According to the commission, the engine of a portable generator can emit more carbon monoxide than the engine of a modern car.  You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, so it is especially dangerous. 

Deadly to linemen – Consumers are also warned that if you use an emergency standby generator during power outages, improper generator hookup can cause fatal injury to our line workers and serious problems in electric service.  Connecting a portable generator to home wiring can cause current flow from the generator onto your electric lines that can injure or kill your MEC employees who are working to restore power on the line. 

Double-throw switch required – To avoid injury or death of line workers by improper connection, your generator should only be installed by licensed electricians and in compliance with the National Electrical Code and must have a double-throw switch to operate safely.  A double-throw switch transfers electrical power from the line to the generator.  As explained above, if a double-throw switch is not used, feedback from the generator voltage on power lines could endanger the lives of line crews working to restore your power. 

Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding generator safety.  It could save a life! 

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©2021 Midstate Electric Cooperative, Inc. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative.

  • Home
  • About
    • About MEC
      • MEC Facts
    • What is a Cooperative?
    • What are Capital Credits?
      • Capital Credits FAQ
    • Service Area
    • Board of Directors
    • Departments
    • Career Opportunities
    • FAQ
    • LEED Building
      • Solar PV System
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Contact Us
    • 2021 Holiday Office Closures
  • Electric Services
    • Log in to Your Account
      • SmartHub FAQ
    • Billing & Payment Options
      • Billing Options
      • Payment Options
    • PowerPay
    • Services
      • New Service
      • New Construction
    • Facilities Charge
    • Rate Schedules
    • Policies
    • Energy Usage Calculator
    • Find a Form
  • Outage Center
    • Report an Outage
    • Live Outage Map
    • Be Prepared
    • Restoration Process
    • Storm Center
  • Programs
    • Co-op Connections
      • Co-op Connections Business Sign Up
    • Scholarship Programs
    • Operation RoundUp®
    • Green Power
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Residential
    • Commercial & Industrial
    • Agriculture
    • Free Energy Audits
    • Together We Save
    • Energy Savings Tips
  • Safety
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Generator Safety
    • Power Line Safety
    • Public Safety
    • Safety Demo
    • Safety Quiz
  • Our Community
    • Economic Development
    • Health Fair
    • News & Info
      • Manager's Message
      • Midstate Connection Newsletter
      • Red Flags Rule
    • Community Service
    • ORECA-Action Grassroots
    • Youth Tour
    • Scholarship Programs
    • Operation RoundUp®
    • Calendar Contest
      • Calendar Contest FAQ
    • Gift Certificates
    • Links
  • Electric Vehicles