Skip to main content
Our office is open, however we ask members to adhere to Governor Walz's executive order mandating the wearing of face masks/coverings when visiting our facility. Please follow social distancing protocols and floor signage. For more information about our response to COVID-19 and resources for members and small businesses, click the button belowRead more

Report an Outage: 1-800-955-6083 | Pay by Phone: 855-356-6345

Contact Us
SmartHUb one time payment One Time Payment
Load Control Status
Voltage Outage Map
MyMeter Icon-House with message bubble MyMeter
Home

SmartHub Login

Loading NISC SmartHub log in. Please wait...

'Loading NISC SmartHub log in. Please wait...'
Menu

Alerts

  • Our office is open and we are here for you. Learn more about our pandemic response.
  • For full functionality of BEC's website, please use one of the following web browsers: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge.
1 of 2 
  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • PAY MY BILL
      • View/Pay My Bill
      • SmartHub
      • Understanding My Bill
      • Payment Assistance
    • MY ACCOUNT
      • New Member Info
      • Account Management
        • Update My Information
      • Budget Billing
      • Capital Credits
      • Forms
      • Member Privacy
    • MY ELECTRIC SERVICE
      • Start/Stop/Transfer Service
      • New Construction
      • Service Upgrade/Relocation
  • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
      • Products
        • GenerLink
        • Marathon Water Heaters
        • Standby Generators
        • Steffes Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
      • Contractor Resources
      • Home Energy Assessment
      • Electric Heating Systems
      • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
      • Load Management
    • REBATES AND ENERGY SAVINGS
      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • High Bill Concern
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Cost Comparison
    • RENEWABLE ENERGY
      • Infinity Renewable Energy
      • Member-Owned Renewable Energy Systems
      • Northern Solar
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • About Your Cooperative
      • What is an Electric Co-op?
      • Annual & District Meetings
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Information
      • Energy Resources Profile
      • Energy Resources Tour
      • Leadership Team
      • Political Action
      • Statement of Non-Discrimination
      • Employment Opportunities
    • COMMUNITY
      • Community Room
      • Co-op Connections Card
      • Operation RoundUp
      • Education & Scholarships
        • Youth Tour-Washington, DC
        • Scholarships
      • GreenTouch
      • Indoor Garage Sale
      • Touchstone Energy Community Award
      • Touchstone Energy Open
    • NEWS AND MEDIA
      • Beltrami Electric News
      • Member Newsletters
        • Place a classified ad
      • Media Contacts
      • Utility Scams-Beware
      • Links & Resources
  • OUTAGES AND SAFETY
    • Outages
      • Outage & Storm Center
      • Report Outage
      • Current Outages
      • Restoration Process
      • Outage Preparedness
      • Using a Generator During an Outage
    • Safety
      • Power Line Safety
      • Electrical Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Vegetation Management

Using a Generator During an Outage

-A A +A

GENERATOR SAFETY

Portable or permanently installed standby generators can come in handy during long-term power outages. However, if you do not know how to use them properly, they can be dangerous. Contact a qualified vendor or electrician to help you determine what generator is best suited to your needs. 

Download Brochure


Follow these tips to use portable generators safely:

  • Never connect a generator directly to your home's wiring unless your home has been wired for generator use. (Example: a GenerLink device installed) This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment necessary to safely connect emergency generators to your home.

  • Ensure your generator is properly grounded.

  • Operate it outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilation. Never run a generator in a home or garage. Generators give off deadly carbon monoxide.

  • Do not plug a generator into the wall to avoid back feed.  Always plug appliances directly into generators.  Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the outlets on the generator.

  • Turn the generator on before plugging appliances to it. Once the generator is running, turn your appliances and lights on one at a time to avoid overloading the unit. Remember, generators are for temporary usage; prioritize your needs.

  • Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used when necessary to power essential equipment or appliances.

  • Generators pose electrical risks, especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure your hands are dry before touching the generator.

  • Never fuel a generator while it is operating. Be sure the generator is turned off and cool before fueling it.

  • Keep children and pets away from portable generators. Many generator components are hot enough to burn you during operation.

* We recommend these safety guidelines and basic operating instructions be posted in the home and with the generator.

If you are installing a permanent generator, it must have a transfer switch. The transfer switch prevents energy from leaving your generator and going back onto the utility electrical equipment, when it could be dangerous to a lineman or others near downed power lines, a process known as “back feed.” A qualified electrician should install your generator and transfer switch.

GenerLink Devices

Beltrami Electric Cooperative now offers Generlink™, a device which can be installed behind your electric meter that allows you to safely and easily connect a small generator to your home during power outages.

More

Standby Generators

Briggs & Stratton standby generators are permanently installed and connected to your home or business' natural gas or liquid propane fuel source, along with the applicable transfer switch to support quick power generation. Now available from Beltrami Electric Cooperative.

More
Back to Top

Quick Links

About Us

Place a Classified Ad

Payment Options

Become a Member

Outage & Storm Center

Employment Opportunities

Beltrami Electric Cooperative

4111 Technology Dr NW
P.O. Box 488 | Bemidji, MN 56619

Office Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. M-F

Beltrami Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Phone Contacts

Phone: 24/7 Outage Reporting:
(800) 955-6083  |  (218) 444-2540

Fax: (218) 444-3676

Pay by phone: (855) 356-6345

Follow us

Employee Login

©2021 Beltrami Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • HOME
  • MY ACCOUNT
    • PAY MY BILL
      • View/Pay My Bill
      • SmartHub
      • Understanding My Bill
      • Payment Assistance
    • MY ACCOUNT
      • New Member Info
      • Account Management
        • Update My Information
      • Budget Billing
      • Capital Credits
      • Forms
      • Member Privacy
    • MY ELECTRIC SERVICE
      • Start/Stop/Transfer Service
      • New Construction
      • Service Upgrade/Relocation
  • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
    • PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
      • Products
        • GenerLink
        • Marathon Water Heaters
        • Standby Generators
        • Steffes Electric Thermal Storage Heaters
      • Contractor Resources
      • Home Energy Assessment
      • Electric Heating Systems
      • Electric Vehicles (EVs)
      • Load Management
    • REBATES AND ENERGY SAVINGS
      • Rebates and Incentives
      • Manage My Energy Usage
        • High Bill Concern
        • Home Energy Assessment
      • Energy Saving Tips
      • Cost Comparison
    • RENEWABLE ENERGY
      • Infinity Renewable Energy
      • Member-Owned Renewable Energy Systems
      • Northern Solar
  • MY COOPERATIVE
    • About Your Cooperative
      • What is an Electric Co-op?
      • Annual & District Meetings
      • Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Information
      • Energy Resources Profile
      • Energy Resources Tour
      • Leadership Team
      • Political Action
      • Statement of Non-Discrimination
      • Employment Opportunities
    • COMMUNITY
      • Community Room
      • Co-op Connections Card
      • Operation RoundUp
      • Education & Scholarships
        • Youth Tour-Washington, DC
        • Scholarships
      • GreenTouch
      • Indoor Garage Sale
      • Touchstone Energy Community Award
      • Touchstone Energy Open
    • NEWS AND MEDIA
      • Beltrami Electric News
      • Member Newsletters
        • Place a classified ad
      • Media Contacts
      • Utility Scams-Beware
      • Links & Resources
  • OUTAGES AND SAFETY
    • Outages
      • Outage & Storm Center
      • Report Outage
      • Current Outages
      • Restoration Process
      • Outage Preparedness
      • Using a Generator During an Outage
    • Safety
      • Power Line Safety
      • Electrical Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Safety Demonstrations
      • Vegetation Management