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Speaking of, just as a PSA/reminder, a generator which is not fueled, serviced and regularly tested is like a backup method you've never done a restore test on: it's no backup at all.
Test and service generators according to the manufacturer's guidelines, please. https://twitter.com/WhippleMarc/status/1361101804193386498
Test and service generators according to the manufacturer's guidelines, please. https://twitter.com/WhippleMarc/status/1361101804193386498
Also remember that autochoke only works in one direction so you don't spend five minutes trying to start your genny like I did last time I tested it. #learnfrommyfail
And for God's sake have a plan as to how you're going to use it *before* you need it. If you need interconnect cables, make and test them in advance.
I noticed for the first time that some hardware stores now have signs that say "we do not sell these, we will not make them for you, we will not help you make them, they are dangerous, do not use them" with pictures of interconnect cables in the electric cord aisle. Interesting.
Interconnect cables, if you don't know the term, are electrical extension cords with a "male" plug at both ends. You use them to connect portable generators to your house's electrical system by plugging one end into the generator outlet and the other into an outlet in the house.
They are also called, rather grimly, "suicide cables," because if you aren't careful you can electrocute yourself on the bare plugs, especially if the power grid re-energizes while they're connected. I freely admit they can be quite dangerous if you don't understand electricity.
You're supposed to have a dedicated feed inlet which has a mechanical lockout such that EITHER your house is connected to the power grid, or the feed inlet is. It's really very simple but quite clever. Here's a picture.
The breaker on the top left is connected to the feed inlet. The Tetris-piece looking piece of metal slides so that EITHER the feed inlet breaker is on, or the main breaker (which connects the house to the power grid is on, but both can't be on at the same time, it's impossible.
This both prevents your house from being powered by the generator and the power grid at the same time (which can be bad for multiple reasons) and prevents your generator from feeding power into the power grid.
That second one is also bad for multiple reasons, including that if a line worker thinks the grid is down but you're feeding power into it from your generator, they could be injured or possibly even killed handling what they think are de-energized wires.
