Understanding your generator

At CAEC, safety for both our members and employees is a top priority. Through various programs the co-op offers, we strive to provide educational resources that offer safety advice about electricity. Since May is National Electrical Safety Month, we’d like to address an issue that can impact both our members and our lineworkers: the improper use of generators.

Time and time again, we’ve discovered problems that occur when people inadvertently backfeed the electrical current into the house’s circuit by connecting the generator directly into the home’s wiring system without the use of an approved transfer switch. While this may initially seem effective, what it’s really creating is an unseen hazard for our linemen. The transformer on your utility pole is designed to take in high voltage at the top and send low voltage out the bottom. If backfeeding occurs, those currents flip, causing high voltage to be sent back out on the power line and stay there. This situation creates risks for our linemen who are unaware of what has taken place.

Michael Kelley Manager of Training and Safety

Because this unsafe practice allows power to bypass the home’s built-in electrical safety features and backfeed into the utility lines, it’s now deemed illegal according to Alabama State Code Section 37-14-31, and those found violating this code could be subject to a Class C misdemeanor.

To prevent backfeeding from occurring, generators must be installed correctly in one of three ways. The first is with an automatic power transfer switch, which separates power from the utility and the whole home generator, allowing only one source of power to the home. The transfer switch should always be installed by a qualified electrician. For those without a whole home generator, the second option is to have a manual transfer switch professionally installed that can safely connect to your portable generator, such as the GenerLink socket-mounted transfer switch. When purchasing a transfer switch, always purchase directly from the manufacturer to ensure you’re receiving safe, authentic products. The third option is to plug in home appliances, not exceeding capacity, directly into the portable generator with heavy-duty extension cords.

Preventative maintenance can also go a long way to help keep generator issues at bay. Generators are maintenance-heavy devices that need to be run frequently, not just when needed. At least once a week, run your generator to make sure it’s in working order. Additionally, take time to test the transfer switch to ensure it’s working properly.

Generators can seem like a lifesaver when the power goes out, but just as our crews always work to restore power as efficiently and safely as possible, make it a top priority to properly connect and operate your portable generator. This way, you can help keep yourself, your family and lineworkers safe.