Generac 5500XL - Manual (Page 3)

Generac Portable Products 5500XL Extended Life Generator
3
• Never handle any kind of electrical cord or device
while standing in water, while barefoot, or while
hands or feet are wet. Death or serious injury from
electrocution may result.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in any
damp or highly conductive area (such as metal
decking or steel work).
• Never use worn, bare, frayed or otherwise damaged
electrical cords with the generator. Death, serious
injury, or property damage from electrical shock may
result.
• Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors
are EXPLOSIVE. Never allow smoking, open
flames, sparks or heat in the vicinity while
handling gasoline. Avoid spilling gasoline on a
hot engine. Comply with all laws regulating storage
and handling of gasoline.
• Do Not overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for
fuel expansion. If tank is overfilled, fuel can
overflow onto a hot engine and cause a FIRE or
an EXPLOSION.
• Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where
gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark or
pilot light (as on a furnace, water heater, clothes
dryer). FIRE or an EXPLOSION may result.
• 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. Allow at least 2 feet of clearance on all
sides of generator, or you could damage the unit.
Read “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 any electrical loads.
Disconnect all electrical loads before shutting down
the generator.
• Do Not insert any object through cooling slots of the
engine. You could damage the unit or injure yourself.
• Never operate the 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 unit is running; if unit
vibrates excessively.
GROUNDING THE
GENERATOR
The National Electrical Code requires that the frame
and external electrically conductive parts of this
generator be properly connected to an approved earth
ground. Local electrical codes may also require proper
grounding of the unit. For that purpose, a
GROUNDING WING NUT is provided on the
generator (Figure 1).
Generally, connecting a No. 12 AWG (American Wire
Gauge) stranded copper wire to the grounding wing
nut and to an earth–driven copper or brass grounding
rod (electrode) provides adequate protection against
electrical shock. Be careful to keep the grounding wire
attached to the generator when connecting the
stranded copper wire to the grounding rod. However,
local codes may vary widely. Consult with a local
electrician for grounding requirements in your area.
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 dissipate static electricity, which
often builds up in ungrounded devices.
Figure 1 - Grounding Wing Nut
Grounding Wing Nut