Interruptions in electrical power can occur at any time of the year. Winter is more frustrating with the dependance on electricity for virtually all forms of heat.
Winter's Here - Be Prepared for Electrical Outages, Be Aware of Safety Hazards
The strong winds, rain and snow and ice that winter often brings to the Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative service area can damage power lines and leave you in the dark until SVEC crews are able to restore service. SVEC recommends taking a few simple precautions to keep your family safe and to prevent damage to household electronics and appliances.
Be sure to turn off and unplug all sensitive electronic appliances in use, such as computers, TV's, VCR's, DVD's, etc., when the power goes out. This will prevent damage that could occur if everything were to suddenly restart, and will prevent circuits from overloading when power is restored. It is also good to leave a light switch on to indicate when the power has been restored.
They also recommend surge protectors – small devices to protect computers, television sets and other sensitive electronic equipment from damage by high-voltage electrical surges coupled with a meter base unit to lessen the risk of a surge entering your home from outside. For further protection, you can install an uninterruptible power supply or battery back-up for electronic equipment, particularly computers. Your local SVEC office can give you more information on these types of protection for your electronics.
Before calling the utility to report an outage, make sure the problem is with SVEC's electrical system rather than the circuitry in your home.
If your power goes out unexpectedly, check your circuit breakers or fuses to see if the power could be out because a circuit has tripped or a fuse has failed. Check to see if any lights can be turned on throughout the house. If so, then the problem is not with the power company. If you've checked your circuit breakers or fuses and they are properly turned on or connected, look or call your neighbors and check if they have power. If they do then the problem lies within your house and you may need to call a local contractor or your local SVEC office to report the outage. Emergency numbers are in the phone book and on the company's web site at www.svalleyec.com or you may call 1-888-421-7832. The phones are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most outages are brief. However, to minimize the inconveniences that may be caused by extended electric outages, it is advisable to have the following emergency supplies on hand:
Battery-powered flashlight and radio; A wind-up or battery-powered clock; Nonperishable foods, ready to eat canned goods, including a manual can opener and water if you are on a private well; First aid kit; A cell phone or telephone that works without electricity (cordless phones require power)
What about an electric generator?
So glad you asked. The recent hurricanes have highlighted dangers that are associated with portable electric generators. Here are a few safety precautions to consider before pulling on that rope:
Winter time is here and with it the possibility of a winter storm. In preparation for a weather related outage such as an ice storm or the high winds that followed the hurricanes this past fall, many homeowners who have invested in small output portable generators for recreational and other uses 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.
Almost every year electric utility workers are seriously injured or killed because the improper use of an electric generator has caused it to “back feed” and energize lines that the workers believed to be “dead.”
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.
Safest EMERGENCY POWER source. Click SAFEST.
• Always read the owners manual before operating your portable generator for back up power. Don't cut corners when it comes to safety.
• To prevent electrical shock, make sure your generator is properly grounded. Consult your manufacturer's manual for correct grounding procedures. Connecting to a water pipe may not serve as a ground. Plastic PVC pipe is NOT a grounding source.
• Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'backfeed' onto the power lines connected to your home. Utility transformers can then "step-up" or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts—enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house, or cause him to be injured from the shock of an expected "dead" line. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
• The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator safely while disconecting your house lines from the power grid. Manditory.
• Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet. Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.
• Don't overload the generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment. Read your owner's manual to determine your generator's capacity.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage. Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide that you can not smell. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport and on a level surface.
• Use the proper power cords. Three prong grounding plugs. Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load and a surge protector strip. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding. Make sure the cords from the generator don't present a tripping hazard.
• Do not store fuel indoors and never add fuel to your generator while it is running.
Electrical shock from a portable generator can be just as deadly as power from your electrical company.
Don't Generate Danger! -
Stay Safe This Storm Season
A reminder from your local SVEC provider.
For more tips and information from your local power company, log on to:
<http://svalleyec.com> or use this link
Power Is Out! Now What??
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