Generator Activation – Deactivation Procedure

Contents

Objective. 1

General Knowledge Information. 1

Anticipated Environment. 1

Generator & Accessories. 2

Generator Configuration in Storage State. 2

Generator Activation Procedure. 2

Generator Deactivation Procedure. 3

Circuit Breaker Activation/Deactivation Matrix. 4

Objective

Provide the procedure for the activation of the generator to supply electricity to the household. 

Safety is paramount, in this procedure you will find a sequence of tasks that may cause a small amount of time delay to ensure the safety of all involved.

Ensure the future use of the generator by executing tasks that prevent any unnecessary wear and tear on the generator or its accessories.

General Knowledge Information

Anticipated Environment

The scenario is:

  • The electrical service from the commercial provider is unavailable.
    • It is unknown when the service will return, and you desire/need electricity.
  • It is 3AM in the morning.
    • You are operating in the dark, but you have a flashlight.
  • The house is locked.
    • You have entered the house using a manual key to the front door. 
  • The garage door is closed.
    • You disable the garage door from the garage door opener, by pulling on the red rope.
    • You manually open the garage door.
  • There is a vehicle that is blocking your way to the generator and circuit breaker box.
    • You retrieve the spare keys for the vehicle and move the vehicle to the street.

Generator & Accessories

The supplies are:

  • Duromax HP13000E generator.  It supplies 13,000 starting watts with 10,500 sustainable watts.
  • 50 Amp Extension cord.  Large (green in my case) cord, used to connect the generator with the household electrical circuits.
  • 1 Generator Instruction Manual used for reference purposes.
  • 5-gallon gas can.  Used to supply fuel to the generator.
  • 1-quart Oil D10-W30.
  • 1 oil funnel.
  • 1 security chain with two combination locks.  Lock combinations are located in the same area as this procedure.
  • 1 manual gasoline transfer device.  Used to transfer gasoline from vehicles to 5-gallon gasoline can.
  • 1 50-amp generator receptacle box; mounted on the wall just below the circuit breaker box.

Generator Configuration in Storage State

The generator is stored just under the circuit breaker box with the following characteristics:

  • Extension cord and security chain are on top of the generator
  • Oil, oil funnel, manual gasoline transfer device and Instruction manual are located on the shelf immediately to the left of the generator.
  • Generator valves and switches are set as follows:
    • Fuel valve is set to off.
    • Battery switch is set to off.
    • Idle switch is set to off.
    • Circuit breaker on generator is disabled.
    • Battery has been connected to the leads and is located behind the bottom center black panel.

Generator Activation Procedure

  1. Verify that the commercial electrical power is not being provided.
  2. In the Circuit Breaker Box, do the following:
    1. Disable the main breaker (biggest switch inside of box, middle, bottom)
    1. Keep Circuit Breaker (CB) number 1 (CB#1) enabled.
    1. Disable all other circuit breakers.
  3. In the Circuit Breaker Box, ensure the silver metal “electrical source” plate now allows for the use of the Generator’s 50-Amp circuit breaker (CBs 2&4), and therefore, disallows the use of the commercial electrical service circuit breaker (the large breaker switch)
  4. Verify oil level in the generator is at the proper level; correct if needed.
  5. Verify gas level in the generator is at the proper level; correct if needed.
  6. Move the generator to outside of the garage and if warranted, secure it to the tree using the locks and chain.
  7. Connect 50 Amp extension cord to the appropriate location on the generator.
  8. Connect 50 Amp extension cord to the generator receptacle box located just below the circuit breaker box.
  9. Turn Fuel valve to On.
  10. Wait one minute for fuel to flow from tank to the carburetor.
  11. Battery Switch to On.
  12. Start the generator using the push button or the hand pull line.
    1. This will take a few attempts to start the generator as we had shut off the fuel flow, thus the fuel needs to be drawn into the carburetor before ignition can occur.
  13. After the generator starts, let the generator run for about one minute for it to stabilize.
  14. Turn on the Idle switch.  (The other red switch)
  15. Enable the Generator’s 50-Amp circuit breaker.
  16. Enable the individual circuit breakers sequentially as defined using the “Circuit Breaker Activation/Deactivation” matrix sheet at the end of this procedure.

Generator Deactivation Procedure

  1. Verify that the commercial electrical power is now being provided and is considered stable.
  2. In the Circuit Breaker Box, do the following:
    1. Keep Circuit Breaker (CB) number 1 (CB#1) enabled.
    1. Disable all other circuit breakers in REVERSE order using the “Circuit Breaker Activation/Deactivation” matrix sheet at the end of this procedure.  Ensure that the Generator CBs (2&4) are disabled.
    1. NOTE: KEEP the MAIN (biggest switch inside of box) breaker DISABLED!
  3. At the generator:
    1. Turn Fuel valve to Off.

Wait for the Generator to stop running before proceeding.  This will take about 2-3 minutes.

  • Turn Battery switch to Off.
    • Turn off Idle Switch (Other Red Switch)
    • Disable generator’s circuit breaker.
  • Disconnect 50 Amp extension cord from the generator.
  • Disconnect 50 Amp extension cord from the generator receptacle box located just below the circuit breaker box.
  • In the Circuit Breaker Box, do the following:
    • Enable the main breaker (biggest switch inside of box, middle, bottom).  This will require sliding the metal plate up.
    • Enable each breaker one at a time, using the “Circuit Breaker Activation/Deactivation” matrix.
  • Start a timer for 30 minutes to allow the generator to properly cool down before we move it.
  • Move the generator to inside the garage and place under the circuit breaker box.
  • Place 50 Amp extension cord and security chain on top of the generator.

Circuit Breaker Activation/Deactivation Matrix

CB #DescriptionNotes
1Circuit Breaker Panel GroundTHIS IS ALWAYS ENABLED – DO NOT TOUCH
2&4GeneratorEnable when activating the Generator.  Note this CB along with the large Main CB CAN NOT be enabled at the same time.  There is a silver metal plate in place to ensure this configuration
24Garage Lights & GFCIsEasier to see things; also ensures that the generator is supplying the house with electricity
19&21Air ConditionerNote:  Anticipate a 3-5 minute “cycle up” time before seeing/feeling any physical action
7&9Air HandlerNote: This supplies electricity to the thermostat in the living area.  Also, it requires a 3-5 minute “cycle up” time before seeing/feeling any physical action
6Refrigerator & Dining RoomOpening door on refrigerator to see if the light comes on is the verification procedure for this device
22Bed 3 & Bath 3 & Foyer & Entry & Den (2nd refrigerator, 3 Wine cellars)Opening door on refrigerator to see if the light comes on is the verification procedure for this device
20Kitchen Lights & Great Room 
——You are now at a minimum functioning environment
26Master Bedroom & Master Bath 
8Microwave 
3&5StoveCheck an element for connectivity, but suggest that you do not use the oven in a Generator environment
15&17Water HeaterNOTE:  DO NOT enable this CB if you do not have water service to the house

Suggest that you do not run WH and Stove at the same time
18Kitchen Outlets 
10Kitchen Island 
——It is considered that you are now at a comfortable functioning environment
14Garage Door Opener (GDO) 
12Bath GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuits) 
23Bedroom 2 & Laundry Room 
28&30Dishwasher & DisposalSuggest not to use during Generator Use
11&13DryerSuggest not to use during Generator Use
16Laundry & WasherSuggest not to use during Generator Use
N/ACB#’s 25, 27, 29, 31-42Not in use