Question
Which of the following is true of an emergency generator installation?
Answer Options
- A) The generator should be operated in a well-ventilated area
- B) The generator must be insulated from ground
- C) Fuel should be stored near the generator for rapid refueling in case of an emergency
- D) All these choices are correct
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
Emergency generators produce toxic exhaust fumes, primarily carbon monoxide, which is odorless and lethal, and short of death, can cause permanent brain damage. Operating a generator in an enclosed space is extremely dangerous.
Therefore, the most important rule for an emergency generator installation is that The generator should be operated in a well-ventilated area, almost always outdoors, and away from windows and doors. The generator must also be properly grounded, and connected to the home or station only using a transfer switch to prevent back-feeding the utility grid. (Energizing the grid during an outage may electrocute an electrical worker or anyone else coming in contact with a wire.)
Most portable generators sold new today contain an interlock circuit to shut down in the presence of very high levels of carbon monoxide, but these are not completely reliable and are often bypassed when they fail, so do not depend on them as an alternative to safe generator placement.
This topic was automatically created to facilitate community discussion about this exam question. Feel free to share study tips, memory tricks, or additional explanations!