standby generator owner's manual - Zabatt

Standby Generator SetsImportant Safety Instructions• Before performing any maintenance on the generator,disconnect its battery cables to preventaccidental start-up. Disconnect the cable from thebattery post indicated by a NEGATIVE, NEG or (–)first. Reconnect that cable last.• Never use the generator or any of its parts as astep. Stepping on the unit can stress and breakparts, and may result in dangerous operating conditionsfrom leaking exhaust gases, fuel leakage,oil leakage, etc. ELECTRICAL HAZARDS • All generators covered by this manual producedangerous electrical voltages and can cause fatalelectrical shock. Utility power delivers extremelyhigh and dangerous voltages to the transfer switchas well as the standby generator. Avoid contactwith bare wires, terminals, connections, etc., onthe generator as well as the transfer switch, ifapplicable. Ensure all appropriate covers, guardsand barriers are in place before operating the generator.If work must be done around an operatingunit, stand on an insulated, dry surface to reduceshock hazard.• Do not handle any kind of electrical device whilestanding in water, while barefoot, or while hands orfeet are wet. DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL SHOCKMAY RESULT.• If personnel must stand on metal or concrete whileinstalling, operating, servicing, adjusting or repairingthis equipment, place insulative mats over adry wooden platform. Work on the equipment onlywhile standing on such insulative mats.• The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires theframe and external electrically conductive partsof the generator to be connected to an approvedearth ground. This grounding will help preventdangerous electrical shock that might be causedby a ground fault condition in the generator set orby static electricity. Never disconnect the groundwire.• Wire gauge sizes of electrical wiring, cables andcord sets must be adequate to handle the maximumelectrical current (ampacity) to which theywill be subjected.• Before installing or servicing this (and related)equipment, make sure that all power voltagesupplies are positively turned off at their source.Failure to do so will result in hazardous and possiblyfatal electrical shock.• Connecting this unit to an electrical system normallysupplied by an electric utility shall be bymeans of a transfer switch so as to isolate thegenerator electric system from the electric utilitydistribution system when the generator is operating.Failure to isolate the two electric system powersources from each other by such means will resultin damage to the generator and may also resultin injury or death to utility power workers due tobackfeed of electrical energy.Safety 001 Rev. 0 08/051-2• Generators installed with an automatic transferswitch will crank and start automatically whennormal (utility) source voltage is removed or isbelow an acceptable preset level. To prevent suchautomatic start-up and possible injury to personnel,disable the generator’s automatic start circuit(battery cables, etc.) before working on or aroundthe unit. Then, place a “Do Not Operate” tag onthe generator control panel and on the transferswitch.• In case of accident caused by electric shock, immediatelyshut down the source of electrical power.If this is not possible, attempt to free the victimfrom the live conductor. AVOID DIRECT CONTACTWITH THE VICTIM. Use a nonconducting implement,such as a dry rope or board, to free the victimfrom the live conductor. If the victim is unconscious,apply first aid and get immediate medicalhelp.• Never wear jewelry when working on this equipment.Jewelry can conduct electricity resulting inelectric shock, or may get caught in moving componentscausing injury. FIRE HAZARDS • Keep a fire extinguisher near the generator at alltimes. Do NOT use any carbon tetra-chloride typeextinguisher. Its fumes are toxic, and the liquidcan deteriorate wiring insulation. Keep the extinguisherproperly charged and be familiar with itsuse. If there are any questions pertaining to fireextinguishers, consult the local fire department. EXPLOSION HAZARDS • Properly ventilate any room or building housingthe generator to prevent build-up of explosive gas.• Do not smoke around the generator. Wipe up anyfuel or oil spills immediately. Ensure that no combustiblematerials are left in the generator compartment,or on or near the generator, as FIRE orEXPLOSION may result. Keep the area surroundingthe generator clean and free from debris.• These generator sets may operate using one ofseveral types of fuels. All fuel types are potentiallyFLAMMABLE and/or EXPLOSIVE and should behandled with care. Comply with all laws regulatingthe storage and handling of fuels. Inspect theunit’s fuel system frequently and correct any leaksimmediately. Fuel supply lines must be properlyinstalled, purged and leak tested according toapplicable fuel-gas codes before placing this equipmentinto service.• Diesel fuels are highly FLAMMABLE. Gaseousfluids such as natural gas and liquid propane(LP) gas are extremely EXPLOSIVE. Natural gasis lighter than air, and LP gas is heavier than air;install leak detectors accordingly.