An Introduction To Portable Generator Safety Tips

Whether you’re going on a camping holiday or you’re setting up a workshop in your garden shed, portable generators can be a hugely useful. That’s because they provide you with a power supply when there is no way of connecting to the local grid, so you can light up your caravan or rev up your power tools without impediment.

related: Generator hire

However, while portable generators are usually rigorously tested for safety before being sold or leased to the public, there are a few guidelines and tips you should bear in mind when operating them.

Safely Installing Your Generator

Whether you’ve bought your own portable generator or you’ve hired one, the first and most important thing is to keep it outside in a well-ventilated area. This is so that carbon monoxide created by running the machine will not enter your home.

You should also keep it in a dry space and always protect it from moisture. If the generator is meant to provide power to your home, this means placing it under a canopy or another kind of overhead cover to keep rain and snow away. It’s also advisable to elevate it above ground level by placing it on a base, so that it doesn’t touch wet soil or cement.

While your portable generator shouldn’t necessarily touch the ground, it should be properly grounded using a ground wire. Touching a generator that isn’t properly grounded could cause electrocution. In addition, you should also check that there are no frayed or exposed wires on the generator before you start it up.