Black outs, rolling brownouts, what are the options? There is no quick fix to the situation facing many areas of the country as power demand continues to outpace the available resources.

Many homeowners are investing in small output portable generators for recreational and other uses and are now adapting them for use as temporary home power. This versatility is one of the many advantages of portable generators, however everyone should consider how to safely apply the power from the portable generator in a residential situation.

While portable power is ideally distributed through a professionally installed transfer switch, homeowners can easily and safely use a smaller output portable generator to power essential home appliances. There are several safety considerations anyone using a generator should be aware of when powering home appliances. Always read the owners manual before operating your portable generator for back up power.

Never operate an internal combustion engine inside your home, basement, garage or any other enclosed area. The generator needs a minimum of 3 to 4 feet of spacing on all sides (including the top). A generator needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation. Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be lethal, good ventilation is critical. Keep the generator dry and always operate it on a level surface. Never add fuel to your generator when it is running and always store additional fuel in approved Gasoline containers.

It is very important that you never feed power from your portable generator into a wall outlet. This is commonly called back feeding and causes several safety concerns. This causes a very dangerous situation as power back feeds into the Power Company lines and can cause severe injury or death to linemen working on power lines. In addition when the Power Company restores power it can feed directly into your generator causing severe damage to your portable generator. 

Another problem associated with back feeding is that the generator may be capable of producing more amperage than the individual household circuit can safely handle. This can cause overheating in your home circuits and create a fire danger.

The safe application of power to your home is achieved simply by using a quality extension cord and surge protected power strip from the generator directly to the appliance that you want to power. Using a power requirement chart you can determine which appliances can be powered safely. During power outages the main concern is for powering sufficient light for the safety of your family. If power is out for several hours you will want to power your refrigerator and freezer to insure that no food spoilage occurs. Remember that it is not necessary to continually power these appliances if your generator has a small power output. Power management will allow you to utilize a small generator to power several appliances safely.

Portable generators over 2000 watts can be used to power microwave ovens, as well as toaster ovens, and other electrical cooking devices, for meal preparation. 

The Honda EU3000is inverter generator is ideal for homes without 220 Volt emergency requirements. If you own a higher output generator with 220-volt capability, you should consider having an appropriate manual transfer switch professionally installed in your home for your added convenience and safety. The Honda EM5000 is a great choice for homeowners with larger power requirements such as deep well water pumps. Contact your nearest Honda Generator dealer or qualified electrician to determine the best transfer switch to match your generator choice.

Once you master the art of "Power Management" you will discover that a small portable generator can safely provide many of the conveniences you count on everyday. And when the power comes back on you will be able to take and use your generator at the park, at the lake, on the boat, tailgating before the big game, as well as many other applications around the home you may never have thought of. 

Become familiar with the generator by reading the owner’s manual before operation. Be sure that anyone who operates the generator receives proper instruction on its safe operation and has read the owner’s manual. Do not let children operate the generator without parental supervision.

Know how to stop the generator quickly in case of an emergency.

Understand the use of all generator controls, output receptacles, and connections.
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Don’t make modifications to the fuel or exhaust system.

Exhaust modifications can add stress to the original equipment exhaust system which can cause breakage resulting in exhaust leaks. Elbows in the modified exhaust system will create back pressure on the engine which reduces performance and shortens the engine service life.

Larger auxiliary tanks added to the system will create more pressure on the inlet needle valve which may cause the inlet needle to lose its ability to regulate the fuel flowing into the carburetor. This may cause the crankcase engine oil to become diluted with fuel, spark plug and spark arrestor carbon build-up, and possible external fuel leaks which may result in fires.
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Don’t operate the generator inside a building, vehicle, or an enclosure.

The engine’s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide. If you run the generator in an area that is confined, even partially enclosed, or if the exhaust is pointed toward a partially enclosed work area, the air you breathe could contain a dangerous amount of exhaust gas. To keep exhaust from building up, operate only in open areas and provide adequate ventilation.

The generator must also breathe fresh air. Intake air for generator and engine cooling, and combustion air must no be contaminated with engine exhaust.
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The generator produces enough electric power to cause a serious shock or electrocution if used in wet conditions. Water decreases the resistance between the appliance, the operator, and earth which increases the likelihood of electrical shock.

Using a generator or electrical appliance in wet conditions, such as rain or snow, or near a pool or sprinkler system, or when your hands are wet, could result in electrocution.

If the generator is stored outdoors unprotected from the weather, check the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle and all other electrical components on the control panel before each use. Moisture or ice can cause a malfunction or short circuit in electrical components which could result in electrocution.
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Operate the generator on a level surface. If the generator is operated at an angel, the lubrication system may fail causing a lack of lubrication to the critical moving parts of the engine.

The carburetor fuel level may be changed to cause the float to stay open to allow fuel to flow into the carburetor bowl unrestricted. This could cause spark plug fouling, piston/cylinder washing, and crankcase oil dilution.

If the generator is operating on soft ground such as sand or soft soil, the generator will "dig in" creating an angle that will produce the same symptoms described above. If the angle becomes extreme, the generator may tip over.

If the generator is operated in sandy, dusty conditions, the discharged air from the generator end will stir up dust. The dust will be sucked up into the air cleaner, shortening its service interval. Dust will also be drawn in with the generator cooling air, sandblasting the windings of the rotor and stator.

If the generator must be operated in loose or sandy surface conditions, place it on a piece of plywood or a stable platform.
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To be sure the generator is ready when you need it:

The generator should be started and loaded at least once a month.

The fuel tank should be kept filled with fresh fuel. A fuel conditioner should be used to keep the fuel from breaking down.

A trickle charger should charge the battery monthly. The brief time the generator is exercised may not be enough time to allow the generator’s charging system to adequately charge the battery. Check out the Accumate automatic charger.
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