In the heat of the hurricane season, Hurricanes Isaias and Laura ripped down power lines, twisted transmission towers, and knocked out electricity for customers. Utilities and contractors from across North America swiftly responded to the storms by sending mutual assistance crews to help restore power and rebuild infrastructure.
While linemen tried to get the lights back on for as many customers as possible, some of homes and businesses sustained so much property damage that it was not possible for them to receive power. According to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), in these cases, many local codes require that a licensed electrician do any repair work or a local inspector check the system before power can be restored.
When a hurricane or flood strikes, customers may call upon electrical contractors to inspect electrical equipment that has been submerged. In addition, electricians may be asked to install a portable generator to keep the lights on in an emergency. Here are some safety tips to keep electricians and homeowners safe during storm repairs and generator installations, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
- Electricians should never touch a circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or when standing on a wet surface.
- If a customer’s home has experienced flooding, electricians should advise the homeowners not to plug in or turn on any electrical appliances until it is safe to do so.
- Homeowners can be at risk for fires, shocks, or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if they improperly install a portable generator. For that reason, the portable generators should always be installed by a qualified electrician, according to ESFI. When installing a generator, an electrician should never directly connect the generators to household wiring without first connecting a transfer switch, which prevents backfeeding of electricity. Also, the portable generator must be grounded and used with a GFCI and a three-pronged plug rated for the intended load.
- Portable generators should only be used as a temporary power source and not a permanent solution, and they should never be operated inside a home or in an enclosed or partially enclosed space like a garage. Electricians should position generators at least 20 ft from doors, windows, and vents to prevent carbon dioxide from entering the home.
For more safety tips, statistics and infographics on storm safety, visit the ESFI website.
Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].