Some customers prepare for the possibility of power outages by buying an
electric generator as a standby system to keep lights and appliances running
until service is restored.
A generator may be able to help save food
in your refrigerator or freezer during a
prolonged outage, let you keep your home
office running, or power other essential
equipment. Generators can be expensive
and noisy. They can also pose serious
safety hazards to you and to others,
so please follow all safety instructions
provided by the manufacturer.
The law requires that customers with a
permanently installed or portable
generator do not connect it to another
power source, such as PG&E’s power lines.
If you own and operate a generator, you are
responsible for making sure that electricity
from your unit cannot “backfeed,” or flow
into PG&E’s power lines. For safety’s sake,
be sure to use your generator correctly. If
you do not, you risk damaging your property
and endangering your life and the lives of
PG&E line workers who may be working on
power lines some distance from your home.
Permanent Standby Generators
When a generator is permanently connected
to a customer’s electric system, it energizes
the building’s wiring. This type of installation
requires a device that prevents the generator
from being connected to PG&E’s power
lines. Only a qualified professional, such as
a licensed electric contractor, should install
a permanent standby generator.
ELECTRIC GENERATOR SAFETY
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Follow these guidelines to make sure that your
generator is working safely
Follow these safety tips:
A double-pole, double-throw transfer switch
(see above) is the recommended device to
keep your generator from backfeeding into
PG&E’s system. The switch also keeps
PG&E’s power from re-energizing your
house wiring while your generator is
running, protecting your generator, wiring
and appliances from damage when your
service is restored.
Have all additions to your house wiring
inspected by your city or county build