•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 generator, 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 conditions from leaking exhaust gases, fuel leakage, oil leakage, etc.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
•All generators covered by this manual produce dan- gerous electrical voltages and can cause fatal electri- cal 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 generator as well as the transfer switch, if applicable. Ensure all appro- priate 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 people 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 conduc- tive parts of the generator to be connected to an approved earth ground and/or grounding rods. This grounding will help prevent dangerous electrical shock that might be caused by a ground fault condi- tion in the generator set or by static electricity. Never disconnect the ground wire.
•Wire gauge sizes of electrical wiring, cables and cord sets must be adequate to handle the maximum elec- trical current (ampacity) to which they will be sub- jected.
•Before installing or servicing this (and related) equip- ment, make sure that all power voltage supplies are positively turned off at their source. Failure to do so will result in hazardous and possibly fatal electrical shock.
•Connecting this unit to an electrical system normally 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 operating. 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 NOR- MAL (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 (disconnect battery cables, etc.) before working on or around the unit. Then, place a “Do Not Operate” tag on the gen- erator 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 implement, such as a dry rope or board, to free the victim from the live conductor. If the victim is unconscious, apply first aid and get immediate medical help.
•Never wear jewelry when working on this equipment. Jewelry can conduct electricity resulting in electric shock, or may get caught in moving components 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 extinguisher 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 combustible materials are left in the generator compartment, or on or near the generator, as FIRE or EXPLOSION may result. Keep the area surrounding 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 regulating the storage and handling of fuels. Inspect the unit’s fuel system frequently and correct any leaks imme- diately. Fuel supply lines must be properly installed, purged and leak tested according to applicable fuel- gas codes before placing this equipment 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.
