New Generator? Here's the Scoop From CL&P on Making Your Own Power

With Hurricane Irene lurking on our doorstep, you and several thousand people descended upon every hardware and home improvement store in the state, drove home and unloaded your brand, spanking new generator. Now what? For generator novices, CL&P has assembled the following guidelines:

With electric generators quickly disappearing from store shelves as Hurricane Irene approaches, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) is reminding customers that while a generator may provide some peace of mind, there are do's and don'ts when using this equipment.  Following these guidelines will help protect everyone from possible electric shock or worse.

• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.  Also, never use a generator in basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially-enclosed areas, even when they are ventilated.  Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide build-up.  Locate the unit far from doors, windows, and vents that could allow the carbon monoxide to come indoors, which can be deadly.
• Don’t connect the generator directly to your home’s wiring.  Have a qualified electrician connect the generator with a transfer switch so that it is not connected directly to your home wiring.  Generators that are improperly installed can feed electricity back into the power lines connected to your home posing a deadly situation for electric line workers who may be working in the area.
• Prevent electrical shock - make sure your generator is properly grounded.  Consult your manufacturer’s manual for correct grounding procedures.
• Don’t overload the generator.  Prioritize your needs, and do not operate more appliances and equipment than the generator can handle.  A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.  Overloading your generator can seriously damage your appliances and electronics.  
• Read and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation.  Don’t cut corners when it comes to safety.  Carefully read and observe all instructions in the owner's manual.  Also, follow state, local, and national fire and electric codes.
• Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.        
• Keep children and pets away from electric generators at all times.
• Use the proper power cords.  Only use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated power cords with an adequate wire gauge.  Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.  Never use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding.  Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears, and that the plug has all three prongs, especially the grounding pin.  Make sure the cords from the generator don’t present a tripping hazard and protect the cords from getting pinched or crushed if they pass through a window or doorway.

• Remember to turn off the generator while you sleep or if you leave your home.

CL&P is also reminding customers they can report outages or check the status of an outage by using our website - www.cl-p.com - or by calling 800-286-2000.  You can also get updates on outages in your town by texting “outage” and your zip code to 24612.