Generac Portable Products 5500 XL 9778-7, Owner'S Manual, Page: 3 / 20

Generac Portable Products 5500 XL Generator
3
• Do not use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise
damaged electrical cord sets with the generator.
• Operate unit only on level surfaces and where it
will not be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt,
dust or corrosive vapors.
• Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors are
EXPLOSIVE. Do not permit smoking, open flames,
sparks or heat in the vicinity while handling
gasoline. Avoid spilling gasoline on a hot engine.
Comply with all laws regulating storage and
handling of gasoline.
• Do not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for
fuel expansion. If tank is overfilled, fuel can
overflow onto a hot engine and cause FIRE or an
EXPLOSION.
• Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where
gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark
or pilot light (as on a furnace, water heater, clothes
dryer). FIRE or an EXPLOSION may result.
• Generator exhaust gases contain DEADLY carbon
monoxide gas. This dangerous gas, if breathed in
sufficient concentrations, can cause
unconsciousness or even death. Operate this
equipment only in the open air where adequate
ventilation is available.
• The unit requires an adequate flow of cooling air
for its continued proper operation. Never operate
the unit inside any room or enclosure where the
free flow of cooling air into and out of the unit might
be obstructed. Without sufficient cooling air flow,
the unit quickly overheats, damaging the generator
or nearby property.
• Allow at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of
generator, even while operating unit outdoors, or
you could damage the unit. Review Cold Weather
Operation on page 7.
• Never start or stop the unit with electrical loads
connected to receptacles AND with the connected
devices turned ON. Start the engine and let it
stabilize before connecting any electrical loads.
Disconnect all electrical loads before shutting down
the generator.
• Do not insert any object through cooling slots of the
unit. You could damage the unit or injure yourself.
• Never operate the generator:
in rain; in any enclosed compartment; when
connected electrical devices overheat; if electrical
output is lost; if engine or generator sparks; if flame
or smoke is observed while unit is running; if unit
vibrates excessively.
GROUNDING THE
GENERATOR
The National Electrical Code requires that the frame
and external electrically conductive parts of this
generator be properly connected to an approved
earth ground. Local electrical codes may also require
proper grounding of the unit. For that purpose, a
GROUNDING WING NUT is provided on the
generator (Figure 1).
Generally, connecting a No. 12 AWG (American Wire
Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing
nut and to an earth–driven copper or brass grounding
rod (electrode) provides adequate protection against
electrical shock. Be careful to keep the grounding
wire attached after connecting the stranded copper
wire. However, local codes may vary widely. Consult
with a local electrician for grounding requirements in
your area.
Properly grounding the generator helps prevent
electrical shock if a ground fault condition exists in
the generator or in connected electrical devices.
Proper grounding also helps dissipate static
electricity, which often builds up in ungrounded
devices.
Figure 1 — Grounding Wing Nut
Grounding Wing Nut