Seeking protection against storm-related power outages has some people thinking about purchasing a standby electric generator.

While we certainly understand a customer's desire to keep a steady supply of power to their home, farm or business, we remind you that extreme caution must be taken when adding a generator to provide standby power at your home or business.

If you have a standby generator for emergencies, it is a National Electric Code requirement that you also have an appropriate "double throw" transfer switch installed.

The switch isolates your generator from the cooperative's power lines whenever your generator is generating electric current. This prevents your generator from backfeeding current onto our lines and endangering the lives of our personnel. If you do not have a double-pole/double-throw switch installed, the backfeed from your generator onto the main electric lines could seriously injure or kill personnel as they try to restore power -- even if you are miles away from where Firelands crews are working.

Firelands Electric is now stocking a simple, safe and reasonably priced device to allow you to connect a standby generator to your home's electric system at the electric meter. The GenerLink makes it easy to connect your generator and supply standby power to any circuit in your home. The GenerLink is a meter collar device that is installed by Firelands' technicians behind your electric meter. You simply plug one end of a power cable into the Generlink and plug the other end into your generator.

When your generator is running, the GenerLink automatically disconnects your home from Firelands' main electric lines -- preventing hazardous backfeeds. It also protects your generator from being damaged when the main line power is restored.

GenerLink units may be purchased or leased by Firelands members, and installation is FREE. Firelands sells Generlink units and cables, offering a payment plan added to the member's electric bill and paid over a 12 month period with no interest. Purchase options are as follows:

• $625 for GenerLink unit with 20 ft. cable
• $715 for GenerLink unit w/Surge Suppression with 20 ft. cable

Charges for leased GenerLink units will be added to the member's bill as follows:

• $10.70 per month for GenerLink unit
• $13.70 per month for GenerLink unit with Surge Suppression

Members leasing GenerLink units must purchase the GenerLink power cable. (20 ft. cable is $125, and longer cables are available in 20 ft. increments, up to 100 ft.) This price includes installation at your home's electric meter. Contact the Member Services department at Firelands Electric about accessories, payment plans and generator safety -- (800) 533-8658, or visit www.generlink.com.

If you already have or plan to install a standby generator or need assistance with generator sizing, please notify Firelands at (800) 533-8658.

Click here for additional information on generator sizing and how to safely connect your new generator to your home's electric system.