Generac Power Systems 004812-3 Owner'S Manual Download Page 5

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• Inspect the generator regularly, and promptly

repair or replace all worn, damaged or defective

parts using only factory-approved parts.

• Before performing any maintenance on the gen-

erator, disconnect its battery cables to prevent

accidental start-up. Disconnect the cable from the

battery post indicated by a NEGATIVE, NEG or (–)

first. Reconnect that cable last.

• Never use the generator or any of its parts as a

step. Stepping on the unit can stress and break

parts, and may result in dangerous operating con-

ditions from leaking exhaust gases, fuel leakage,

oil leakage, etc.



ELECTRICAL HAZARDS



• All generators covered by this manual produce

dangerous electrical voltages and can cause fatal

electrical shock. Utility power delivers extremely

high and dangerous voltages to the transfer switch

as well as the standby generator. Avoid contact with

bare wires, terminals, connections, etc., on the gen-

erator as well as the transfer switch, if applicable.

Ensure all appropriate covers, guards and barriers

are in place before operating the generator. If work

must be done around an operating unit, stand on

an insulated, dry surface to reduce shock hazard.

• Do not handle any kind of electrical device while

standing in water, while barefoot, or while hands

or feet are wet.

DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL

SHOCK MAY RESULT.

• If personnel must stand on metal or concrete while

installing, operating, servicing, adjusting or repair-

ing this equipment, place insulative mats over a

dry wooden platform. Work on the equipment only

while standing on such insulative mats.

• The National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 250

requires the frame and external electrically con-

ductive parts of the generator to be connected to

an approved earth ground and/or grounding rods.

This grounding will help prevent dangerous electri-

cal shock that might be caused by a ground fault

condition in the generator set or by static electric-

ity. Never disconnect the ground wire.

• Wire gauge sizes of electrical wiring, cables and

cord sets must be adequate to handle the maxi-

mum electrical current (ampacity) to which they

will be subjected.

• Before installing or servicing this (and related)

equipment, make sure that all power voltage

supplies are positively turned off at their source.

Failure to do so will result in hazardous and pos-

sibly fatal electrical shock.

• Connecting this unit to an electrical system nor-

mally supplied by an electric utility shall be by

means of a transfer switch so as to isolate the

generator electric system from the electric utility

distribution system when the generator is operat-

ing. Failure to isolate the two electric system power

sources from each other by such means will result

in damage to the generator and may also result

in injury or death to utility power workers due to

backfeed of electrical energy.

• Generators installed with an automatic transfer

switch will crank and start automatically when

NORMAL (UTILITY) source voltage is removed

or is below an acceptable preset level. To prevent

such automatic start-up and possible injury to

personnel, disable the generator’s automatic start

circuit (battery cables, etc.) before working on or

around the unit. Then, place a “Do Not Operate”

tag on the generator control panel and on the

transfer switch.

• In case of accident caused by electric shock, imme-

diately shut down the source of electrical power. If

this is not possible, attempt to free the victim from

the live conductor.

AVOID DIRECT CONTACT

WITH THE VICTIM.

Use a nonconducting imple-

ment, such as a dry rope or board, to free the vic-

tim from the live conductor. If the victim is uncon-

scious, apply first aid and get immediate medical

help.

• Never wear jewelry when working on this equip-

ment. Jewelry can conduct electricity resulting in

electric shock, or may get caught in moving com-

ponents causing injury.



FIRE HAZARDS



• Keep a fire extinguisher near the generator at all

times. Do NOT use any carbon tetra-chloride type
extinguisher. Its fumes are toxic, and the liquid
can deteriorate wiring insulation. Keep the extin-
guisher properly charged and be familiar with its
use. If there are any questions pertaining to fire
extinguishers, consult the local fire department.



EXPLOSION HAZARDS



• Properly ventilate any room or building housing

the generator to prevent build-up of explosive gas.

• Do not smoke around the generator. Wipe up any

fuel or oil spills immediately. Ensure that no com-
bustible materials are left in the generator com-
partment, or on or near the generator, as FIRE or
EXPLOSION may result. Keep the area surround-
ing the generator clean and free from debris.

• These generator sets may operate using one of

several types of fuels. All fuel types are potentially
FLAMMABLE and/or EXPLOSIVE and should be
handled with care. Comply with all laws regulat-
ing the storage and handling of fuels. Inspect the
unit’s fuel system frequently and correct any leaks
immediately. Fuel supply lines must be prop-
erly installed, purged and leak tested according to
applicable fuel-gas codes before placing this equip-
ment into service.

• Diesel fuels are highly FLAMMABLE. Gaseous

fluids such as natural gas and liquid propane
(LP) gas are extremely EXPLOSIVE. Natural gas
is lighter than air, and LP gas is heavier than air;
install leak detectors accordingly.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Standby Generator Sets