Generator Quiz
Policyholders may find standby and portable generators useful resources when they experience a power loss. Generators can keep the lights and heat on at a time when residential property is at risk of freeze damage or in the aftermath of a storm. However, these appliances can pose risks of their own. Test your knowledge of generators and the damage they may cause or sustain.
What precautions should a generator owner take to prevent electrical damage?
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Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet
A) Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet
C) Never touch a generator during rainy conditions
C) Never touch a generator during rainy conditions
B) Never turn a generator on or off while it’s under load
B) Never turn a generator on or off while it’s under load
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D) All of the above
Plugging a generator directly into a wall outlet may cause “backfeeding” – when electricity flows from the generator back into the powered structure and then continues into the power lines. Backfeeding endangers utility workers attempting to restore power under the assumption that electricity isn’t flowing through the cables.
Additionally, users should never turn the generator on or off while it’s under load (i.e., actively providing energy to appliances or devices). An automatic transfer switch (ATS) should be used to connect a standby generator to the powered building to prevent electrical damage to either the generator or the structure.
Finally, safety precautions should be in place anytime a user tries to make adjustments to a generator – particularly a portable generator – during rainy or flooding conditions. It’s best not to touch the generator at all during these times, due to the increased risk of fatal electric shocks.
We’ve identified safety precautions that all generator owners should follow. Check out this handy article with generator safety tips you can pass along to your policyholders.
Read our article
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An automatic transfer switch (ATS) should be used to connect a standby generator to the powered building to prevent electrical damage to either the generator or the structure.
What should a standby generator owner do annually to properly maintain it?
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A) Inspect fluid hoses for leaks
A) Inspect fluid hoses for leaks
C) Replace the spark plugs
C) Replace the spark plugs
B) Change the oil and coolant
B) Change the oil and coolant
D) Replace the batteries
D) Replace the batteries
ANSWER: C) Replace the spark plugs
A generator’s user should inspect fluid hoses for leaks or deterioration once a month, and they should change the oil and coolant every 6 months. Additionally, they should replace the spark plugs on a yearly basis and replace the batteries every 2 – 3 years.
StrikeCheck has an adjuster guide to Standby Generator Maintenance and Malfunctions with a detailed preventative maintenance schedule for your policyholders. Fill out a short form to get your copy.
Where should a generator NOT be placed?
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Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Indoors
A) Indoors
C) Within 5 feet of a door or window
C) Within 5 feet of a door or window
B) Under a deck
B) Under a deck
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D) All of the above
Generators produce harmful carbon monoxide (CO), and their location is critical to protecting a structure’s occupants. CO has no odor or color, so it can build up in an enclosed space and rise to lethal levels without occupants noticing. Generator owners should keep them out of enclosed spaces, and they should take airflow into consideration when installing generators. Wind can blow CO into an opening even when a generator is farther away than the required minimum distance. Finally, generators should also be equipped with a CO detector.
We’ve identified some information adjusters need to know when handling standby generator claims. Check out our article about how they work and what causes them to fail.
This generator has not been installed far enough away from this home.
Failure to clean or replace generator batteries can lead to what kind of failure?
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Click on the Best Answer Below
A) Excessive sulfation
A) Excessive sulfation
C) Corrosion
C) Corrosion
B) Dirt buildup
B) Dirt buildup
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D) All of the above
Generator batteries should be checked for loose connections, dirt buildup, and corrosion (when battery acid reacts with metal terminals) every month to properly maintain the generator. Meanwhile, the battery should be replaced every 2 – 3 years to prevent excessive sulfation – the buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the surface of the battery’s lead plates. These conditions can make the battery less reliable.
Standby generators have complex components that adjusters should be familiar with before settling claims. Download our Standby Generator Diagram to identify different components.
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This is an example of the interior of a standby generator.
What is the minimum distance a standby generator should be stored from vegetation, such as trees or bushes?
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Click on the Best Answer Below
A) 18 inches
A) 18 inches
C) 25 feet
C) 25 feet
B) 36 inches
B) 36 inches
D) 50 feet
D) 50 feet
ANSWER: B) 36 inches
Standby generators should be installed at least 36 inches from vegetation due to the risk of igniting it. However, you should give yourself some credit no matter which answer you chose. Standby generators should be installed at least 18 inches from any structure.
Meanwhile, portable generators should be kept at least 25 feet away from any structure. Finally, generator fuel should be stored at least 50 feet away from any ignition sources, including pilot lights, grills, and the generator itself.
StrikeCheck has helped adjusters settle claims by determining cause of loss to damaged generators. Learn more by reading a case study about generators with reported lightning losses.
Generator safety is important to prevent further losses.
Thank you for taking our quiz! We hope you learned more about generators; their components; and their perils, damages, and maintenance!
Going Further
Many homes and businesses have generators in case of a power outage. Unfortunately, there are several electrical and mechanical components susceptible to damage through surge or lack of maintenance. Adjusters should know as much as they can about these generators, so they’re prepared when this equipment is included in a claim.
We’ve prepared an overview of commercial generators comparing three basic types ̶ standby, inverter, and portable generators ̶ and some information regarding their inclusion in claims. Fill out a short form to get the knowledge you need to settle these claims.
About StrikeCheck
StrikeCheck eliminates the guesswork in settling claims for electrically powered equipment, including standby and portable generators. Our experts know what to look for when determining cause of loss, scope of damage, and local market pricing for repairs and replacements.
Submit a claim to StrikeCheck to schedule a comprehensive assessment and to receive our recommendations for the best next steps to return your policyholders’ equipment to pre-loss condition.
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