North Star M165938N - Manual (Page 16)

Installation / Initial Set-Up
16
4. Set-up either as a BUILDING BACK-UP or PORTABLE Power Source
This generator is designed to provide up to 8,000W of electrical power. It can supply electricity in
two ways:
1. As a back-up, standby power source for a building. For this application, you must arrange
for a licensed electrician to connect the generator to your building’s electrical system via the
installation of an UL-approved transfer switch. The transfer switch must be installed in
accordance with building electrical code and guidelines supplied by your power company.
2. As a portable power source. You can plug appliances or tools directly into the generator’s
electrical outlets.
Specific requirements for each are given below.
Note: Regardless of whether you use your generator as a back-up power source connected to a
building or as a portable power source, you must not overload the generator. Overloading
may cause serious damage to the generator and attached electrical devices.
Using as a
Back-up Power
Source for a
Building Contact a licensed electrician to install a UL-approved transfer switch if
you want to use your generator as a back-up power source for a building.
What does a transfer switch do? It:
a) Safely connects the generator to your building’s electrical system by
isolating your generator from your utility company’s power lines,
AND
b) Connects your generator to a critical subset of your building’s circuits
that are needed for emergency power needs.
If your generator will be connected to your building’s electrical system, it
MUST ALWAYS be isolated from the utility power grid with a UL-approved
transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician in compliance with all
applicable building and electrical codes, and in accordance with guidelines
supplied by your power company.
DANGER:
A transfer switch must be installed in order to isolate your
generator from the utility power grid. If your generator is
NOT properly isolated from the utility system, serious
hazards will arise:
♦ When your generator is running, it’s output will back feed
into the utility power line and transformer that are
normally used to provide you with power. The
transformer will step up the current to the normal line
voltage. An unsuspecting utility line worker working on
what he thinks is a deactivated line could be electrocuted.
♦ If your generator is connected (running or not) when
utility power is restored, your generator will be destroyed.
It could also explode or cause fire.