You can use a portable generator to supply electricity to your appliances if an emergency exists during a power outage. But if used improperly they can

• Home emergency generators are usually powered by gasoline, which must be properly handled as well.
• Generator sizes vary. Common units can be from 8 to 14 horsepower and capable of handling from 4,000 to 8,400 watts (including starting surge requirements). Prices may range from $800 to $3,000.
• Connecting a generator to the main electrical supply for your house requires the services of a qualified, licensed electrician. Installing the connection and switch (as explained below) can cost from $600 to $1,000.
• Before connecting the generator to your household circuit, notify your electric cooperative.

NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.

WARNING:
If you connect a portable generator to the main electrical supply coming into the house, the electrical generator could feed back into your electric cooperative's system and electrocute workers who are repairing the electrical lines. To avoide back-feeding of electricity into electrical systems, you must have a qualified, licensed electrician install a double-pole, double-throw transfer switch (see illustration) between the generator and utility power in compliance with all state and local electrical codes (a minimum of 10-guage wire muse be used). Your generator might not be large enough to handle the loads of all the lights, appliances, TV, etc. at one time. To prevent dangerous overloading, it's best to get a qualified electrician to calculate wattage requirements correctly.