01/25/2026
❄️Here are step-by-step instructions for Emergency Portable Generator Use❄️
🪫THE UTILITY POWER GOES OFF: You may want to wait a while to determine if the outage will continue or if power will be shortly restored. Having determined the need for your generator locate the generator and place it outdoors. ⚠️Placing the generator outside insures that the engine (air cooled) will remain cool, exhaust will be expelled (heat from exhaust can be a fire hazard), and you will avoid Carbon Monoxide (CO) build up (CO poisoning is deadly).⚠️
🔛START THE GENERATOR: Go through the steps to start your generator and ensure adequate fuel is available.
🔌EXTEND THE CORD: Lay out the cord and install the input end at the house first. Then plug into the generator. You may be working in inclement weather and want to avoid exposure of a live cord end even momentarily.
🎛️GO TO THE ELECTRICAL PANEL: Grab your flash light and make your way to the electrical panel. We recommend turning off all the circuit breakers in the panel and work your way up to the MAIN BREAKER. Turn off the MAIN Breaker and move the interlock to enable access to the generator input breaker and turn it on. The generator is now providing power to the whole panel.
🔋ENERGIZE WANTED CIRCUITS: One by one turn on the breakers that feed the circuits you will need (bedroom, kitchen, lighting, microwave, living room, etc….). Avoid turning on the two pole breakers in the beginning.
⚡️TOTAL WATTAGE: Your generator has a determined out put and an internal breaker that is rated for no more than its capacity. It will be up to you to regulate the load you impose on the generator. Turning on the two pole breakers should be done in consideration of the current usage. If you are running space heaters, you may want to turn them down or off while utilizing the Water Heater, Dryer, or Washer.
💡POWER IS RESTORED: If you want to know if power has been restored without disconnecting the generator, make your way to the electric meter. If it has a flashing digital display with a current reading, the power is restored. We recommend waiting for a bit to make sure power stays on for an extended period of time.
🎚️RETURN TO UTILITY POWER: After you have decided to return to utility power, reverse the process by turning off all circuit breakers making your way up to the MAIN breaker. Turn off the generator input breaker, move the interlock to enable access to the MAIN breaker, and turn on the MAIN breaker. The panel is now being fed by the Utility Power. We recommend leaving the generator cord connected for now and turning off the generator (you will be connected if you have another event).
Y’all stay safe and warm!
