Can I use a generator at home during a Queensland power outage?

Yes, you can use a portable generator at home during an outage, but only outdoors and only by plugging appliances straight into the generator. Never plug it into a power point or the house wiring, because that can send power back into the grid and endanger people. Powering house circuits needs a licensed electrician.

Why must I never plug a generator into a power point?

This is called back-feeding, and it is the most serious mistake people make in an outage.

• It can reach the street. Power pushed into your house wiring can travel back out to the network, even though the grid looks dead. Crews working to restore supply may not expect it.
• It can hurt people. That includes electricians, neighbours and your own household.
• It can start a fire. House wiring is not designed to be fed this way.

If you want a generator to power parts of your house wiring, that is a job for a licensed electrician. It is not something to improvise during a blackout.

Where can I safely run a generator?

Generators give off carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot see or smell that can be deadly.

• Outdoors only. Never run one inside the house, in a garage, a shed, a carport or any enclosed or partly enclosed space.
• Away from openings. Keep the exhaust well away from windows, doors and vents so fumes cannot drift inside.
• Dry and sheltered. Water and electricity do not mix, so do not run one in rain or on wet ground.
• Out of reach of children and pets. Generators get very hot and have moving parts.

Queensland Government guidance on using alternative fuel and electricity generation safely covers these points. Please check the current rules and advice on that page.

Who does what with a generator at home?

• You: run a portable generator outdoors, with appliances plugged directly into it, following the maker’s instructions.
• A licensed electrician: any connection between a generator and your house wiring or switchboard. Queensland electrical work must be done by a licensed person. Our article on doing your own electrical work in Queensland explains the basics, and you can check an electrician’s licence before you book.
• A licensed gas fitter: anything involving a generator that runs on gas. Gas work is not an electrician’s job and not something to attempt yourself.

Can I use a generator with solar panels or a home battery?

Do not connect a generator to a solar or battery system yourself. Solar and batteries have their own rules for what happens in a blackout, and mixing them with a generator is a job for a licensed installer. Our article on whether solar panels work during a blackout explains why many systems shut down when the grid goes off.

What about air conditioners, fridges and other big appliances?

Some appliances need much more power to start than to run. A small generator may not cope, and a poor match can damage the generator or the appliance. Check the labels and the generator’s manual, or ask a licensed electrician. Our article on using an air conditioner during a blackout or storm has more on that appliance.

Do I need a permanent generator connection?

If you often lose power, or someone at home relies on powered medical equipment, a permanent arrangement may be worth discussing. That means a licensed electrician assessing your switchboard and your needs, not a do-it-yourself fix. If you live in a unit, townhouse or rental, check with your body corporate, strata manager or landlord first. Ask the Arlite team what is possible for your home.

For what else to do when the lights go out, see our guide to what to do in a Brisbane power outage, and our article on what to do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock.