Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an amateur who’s installing their first generator, it is always paramount that proper safety precautions must be understood and followed at all times. At MTS Power Products, we’re happy to share some of our professional expertise!
The Basics
Most of the safety basics for installing a generator go back to common sense and practicality – things you would address for any work of this type. Clothing should never be loose at the risk of being snagged in the equipment. The same goes for long hair, which should always be tied back or kept under a hat while working. Gloves and goggles should be worn at all times for safety, but just in case, you should never work alone. Always have a partner working with you or at least make sure that someone else knows where you are and what you’re doing, just in case an unexpected accident occurs. For this reason, basic first-aid supplies should always be kept on hand as well. It also probably goes without saying, but never smoke near the generator as this may damage the insides, not to mention the flammable nature of generator fumes. Whether you’re installing an industrial-power diesel generator or just adding a doggy door to your home for Fido, these are the safety basics that should be followed with any kind of construction project.
Pre-Installation Inspection
The moment that you unbox your generator, you should immediately inspect it before anything else is done. For example, a simple dent accrued during shipping may indicate serious structural or even internal damage. This could mean that generator is not safe to connect or turn on. If you find any obvious damage to your generator, or even suspect that it may be damaged internally or beyond your knowledge, do not connect or install it until you’ve had it assessed, repaired, or replaced by a professional generator technician. Also be sure to make sure that the battery you’re using is fully charged for use before installing it in your generator. It’s also critical to make sure that all of your electricity is properly shut off before attempting the installation – this may seem obvious, but worth noting again for the green and experienced alike.
Where?
Whether diesel or electric, your industrial generator needs to be installed outdoors, but within an enclosed space, such as a protective fence. This is necessary to provide your generator with the proper level of ventilation that it requires to function optimally. Poor ventilation can cause serious damage to your generator and present a significant safety hazard. You should also make sure that your generator is somewhat elevated to protect it from the rising water of seasonal rains, especially here in Florida. Make sure that this elevated surface is leveled and non-combustible to ensure that both you and your generator are safely protected.
Follow Instructions
Whether installing, performing maintenance & repairs, or when interacting with your generator at all, it is critical that you consult and follow the manufacturer’s instructions at all times to ensure the safety of your generator, yourself, those around you. If you choose not to follow the instructions, a serious injury or death could be the result. Even in the best case, tampering with your generator in a way that is not expressly approved and documented in the instructions could result in your warranty being voided, even if the initial issue has absolutely nothing to do with what you modified. In any case, even approaching the generator without reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions is not worth the risk on any front, be it health-related or financial.
Maintenance
Maintenance on your industrial generator should be conducted regularly and to the specifications of the manufacturer as laid out in the unit’s instruction manual or warranty information. Components such as filters and oils should be changed annually at the latest. It’s also important to make sure the inner workings are cleaned and re-oiled and that all electric components are properly charging. Regular maintenance is critical for the continued life of your generator, so if you’re unsure about how to perform a certain task, it is neither difficult nor expensive to hire a professional generator technician to handle the situation for you.
From basic installation to regular maintenance, safety is of the utmost importance when dealing with your industrial generator.
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