While it is not an immediate necessity, a power generator is becoming one of the new “must-have” features in a home. There was a time when power generators were considered a luxury and only a necessity for business establishments, construction, offices and other establishments that are bigger compared to a standard home.
Nowadays, however, many power generators are available which cost a lot less than how they cost years before. That is because more demand power supply and when power outage strikes, people NEED electricity especially to homes where there are sick, elderly and/or children.

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But before you buy your own power generator, know how to distinguish between tolerable brownout, a large-scale power outage and power emergency. Do you really need a generator? What to expect when there is power outage?

First appeared here: (http://www.americasgenerators.com/blog/post/2016/03/14/What-Are-Rotating-Power-Outages.aspx)

A rotating outage is a temporary and scheduled electric outage conducted under utility control that lasts approximately one hour, depending on circumstances. An utility company manages and rotates the outages to protect the integrity of the overall electric system.

Controlled, rotating outages become necessary when the utility company declares a Power Emergency. Under these circumstances, without controlled, rotating power outages on a relatively small scale, a widespread disturbance to the electric grid could occur, which would lead to uncontrolled, large-scale outages.

As soon as a Power Emergency is declared, utility companies usually contact the news media, especially radio and television stations, which are encouraged to broadcast the news immediately. Because utility companies may have as few as 10 minutes after a Power Emergency is declared before rotating outages begin, individual notifications are not possible.

Following local regulations, the utility company identifies the circuits available for use in rotating outage. A circuit is an electrical line that supplies power to a combination of residential and/or commercial customers within a given geographical area. These circuits are usually arranged into groups. The amount of power required to protect the overall electric system will determine the number of groups that are interrupted at any one time. The groups will be interrupted, as operating conditions permit, and each outage is expected to last about one hour, sometimes more or less depending on the location. At the end of the determined time slot, service is restored to the affected groups and the next groups on the list will be interrupted to maintain the amount of load deemed safe. Once a group has been used in a rotating outage, it is moved to the bottom of the list.

Utility companies cannot guarantee uninterrupted service to any customer; however, most keep track of all customers who have applied for, and been certified as, “critical care” customers (those who cannot be without electric service for more than 2 hours) according to state regulations. These customers are not exempt from rotating outages and it is important to have an emergency plan that includes a back-up generator unit available to power in-home medical equipment. The back-up power generation should be tested each month to ensure it is ready in case of an emergency.

A great company that can help you in the midst of a power outage is the Fail Safe Electric. It is an electric service company founded in 2009. Founded by Mr. Lopez, a career electrician, and was built out of professionalism and experience, Fail Safe Electric will never fail you. They offer electric installation, child-proofing your electric appliances and outlets, lighting and reselling cheaper but high-quality generators.They also offer 24-hour residential and commercial electrical service!

But what if you are a certified on-the-go (i.e. your work always demands you to travel, you have a construction project, you live in a portable home) and you need a generator you can bring anywhere? It is one thing to have electricians come to your house and install the thing without you lifting a finger, but it is a different story when dealing with portable generators. Here are what you need to know:

First appeared here: (https://www.generac.com/resources-and-tools/homeowner-resources/portable-generator-safety)

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Before reading these tips, always read the Owner’s Manual and instructions for your generator. Carefully follow all instructions and warnings in order to safely start and operate the generator. Do NOT cut corners when it comes to safety.

These tips are merely supplemental and are not intended to substitute reading of the Owner’s Manual.

Carbon Monoxide and Ventilation

• Using a generator indoors CAN KILL YOU IN MINUTES. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a deadly poison gas you cannot see or smell.
• NEVER run a generator indoors or in partly enclosed areas such as garages.
  ONLY use outdoors and far from windows, doors, vents, crawl spaces and in an area where adequate ventilation is available and will not accumulate deadly exhaust gas.
• Using a fan or opening doors and windows will not provide sufficient ventilation.
• It is recommended that you install battery operated Carbon Monoxide alarms/detectors indoors according to manufacturer’s instructions / recommendations.

Gasoline, Fueling and Burn Safety

• Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive.
• If tank is over-filled, fuel can overflow onto a hot engine and cause fire or explosion.
• Do not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for fuel expansion.
• Never add fuel while unit is running or hot. Allow generator and engine to cool entirely before adding fuel.
• Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark or pilot light.
• Do not smoke near fuel or generator.
• Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation and while the generator is cooling after turning off. Avoid coming into contact with a hot generator.

Electrocution Hazard and Electrical Shock Hazards

• Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ onto the power lines connected to your home and injure neighbors or utility workers.
• Do not connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring or into a regular household outlet.
• Always start or stop the generator only when no electrical loads are connected.
• Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Do not overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.
• Use the proper power cords. Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Do not use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding.
• Do not operate the generator in wet conditions such as rain or snow.
• The generator must be properly grounded. If the generator is not grounded, you run the risk of electrocution. We strongly recommend that you check and adhere to all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to grounding.

Generator Placement and Operation

• Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
• Allow at least five feet of clearance on all sides of the generator when operating.
• Generators can be used during a wide variety of weather temperatures, but should be protected from the elements when not in use to prevent shorting and rusting.
• Operate the generator only on level surfaces and where it will not be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt, dust or corrosive vapors.
• Inspect the generator regularly and contact the nearest authorized dealer for parts needing repair or replacement.
• Always disconnect the spark plug wire and place the wire where it cannot contact the spark plug to prevent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs to the generator.

A cheaper but high-quality portable generator is the one from Generac, one of the leading power generator providers around. Looking for a whole house generator installation in Naperville, call us.Not only can they install the machine for you but you can also order it from them! Fail Safe Electric is a dealer of Generac and you can be sure that the seller and technician know the ins and outs of the generator you will be relying on for many years.