Grounding the g en er/vtor – Generac 6500XL 09779-2 User Manual
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Generac Portable Products 6500XL Extended Life Generator
The generator produces a very powerful voltage that can 
cause serious injury or death by electrocution. Never 
touch bare wires or receptacles. Never permit a child or 
any unqualified person to operate the generator.
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 
and property damage from electrical shock may result
Gasoline is highly FLAMMABLE and its vapors
EXPLOSIVE. Never allow smoking, open flames,
sparks or heat in the vicinity while h^dling
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,
even while operating unit outdoors, or you could damage 
the unit.
Never start, or stop the unit with electrical loads
connected to receptacles with the connected devices
turned ON. Start the engine and let it stabilize before 
connecting any electrical loads. Disconnect ail 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
G EN ER/VTOR
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 end (Figure I).
- Grounding Wing Nut
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 after 
connecting the stranded copper wire. 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.