Generac Portable Products 5500EXL Extended Life Generator
•Do Not use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise damaged electrical cord sets with the generator.
•Operate the generator only on level surfaces and where it will not be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt, dust or corrosive vapors.
•Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors are EXPLOSIVE. Do Not permit smoking, open flames, sparks or heat in the vicinity while handling gasoline. Avoid spilling gasoline on a hot engine. Comply with all regulations requiring storage and handling of gasoline.
•Do Not overfill the fuel tank. If overfilled, fuel can contact the hot engine and cause FIRE or an
EXPLOSION.
•Never store the generator with fuel in its tank where gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark or pilot light (as on a furnace, water heater or clothes dryer). FIRE or EXPLOSION might result.
•Generator exhaust gases contain DEADLY carbon monoxide gas. This dangerous gas, if breathed in sufficient concentrations, can cause unconsciousness or even death. Operate this equipment only in the open air where adequate ventilation is available.
•The unit requires an adequate flow of cooling air for its continued proper operation. Never operate the unit inside any room or enclosure where the free flow of cooling air into and out of the unit might be obstructed. Without sufficient cooling air flow, the unit quickly overheats, damaging the generator or nearby property.
•Allow at least 2 feet of clearance on all sides of the generator or you could damage the unit. Review “Cold Weather Operation” on page 8.
•Never start or stop the unit with electrical loads connected to receptacles AND with the connected devices turned ON. Start the engine and let it stabilize before connecting electrical loads. Disconnect all electrical loads before shutting the unit down.
•Do Not insert any object through the unit’s cooling slots. You could damage the unit or injure yourself.
•Never operate this generator:
in rain; in any enclosed compartment; when connected electrical devices overheat; if electrical output is lost; if engine or generator sparks; if flame or smoke is observed while running; if unit vibrates excessively.
GROUNDING THE
GENERATOR
The National Electric Code requires the frame and external electrically conductive parts of generator be properly connected to approved earth ground.
Local electrical codes may also require proper grounding of this unit. For that purpose, a GROUNDING WING NUT (Figure 1) is provided on the frame of your unit.
Figure 1 — Location of Grounding Wing Nut
Grounding Wing Nut
Generally, connecting a No. 12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing nut and to an
However, local codes may vary widely. Consult with a local electrician for grounding requirements in your area. Be sure to keep the ground wire attached while you connect the electrode.
Properly grounding the generator helps prevent electrical shock if a ground fault condition exists in the generator or in connected electrical devices. Proper grounding also helps to dissipate the static electricity which may build up in ungrounded devices.
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