A summer storm rolls through, lightning cracks, and suddenly the house goes dark. The fridge starts warming, devices begin dying, and that portable generator in the shed becomes your lifeline. There's just one problem: it's bucketing down outside.
This scenario plays out across Australia every storm season, and the decisions made in these moments carry genuine consequences. Operating a generator in wet conditions without proper precautions creates serious risks of electrocution and carbon monoxide poisoning—both documented causes of preventable deaths during power outages.
This guide provides clear, practical safety procedures for running a generator when the weather turns foul. Modern alternatives, including inverter generators and portable power stations from suppliers like Outbax, also offer enhanced safety features worth considering before the next blackout hits.
The Dangers of Running a Generator in Wet Conditions
Understanding why wet weather operation demands extra caution helps explain the safety measures that follow.
Understanding Electrocution Risk
Water conducts electricity. When moisture enters a generator's outlets or internal wiring, it creates pathways for electrical current to travel where it shouldn't—including through anyone touching the unit or connected equipment.
This risk extends beyond obvious scenarios. Even damp ground around an improperly positioned generator increases shock hazard. A generator sitting in a puddle or on saturated soil creates dangerous conditions that aren't immediately visible, particularly at night during storm events.
The Silent Threat of Carbon Monoxide
When rain starts falling, many people make what seems like a sensible decision: move the generator into the garage or under an attached awning. This choice kills people every year.
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. In semi-enclosed spaces, lethal concentrations build within minutes—faster than most people realise. An open garage door provides nowhere near sufficient ventilation, nor does a carport attached to the house or a covered patio with walls on three sides.
The rule is simple: generators belong outdoors, away from any structure where exhaust can drift into living spaces.
Equipment Damage and Long-Term Costs
Beyond personal safety, water intrusion damages alternators, engines, and electrical components. A single wet-weather incident can corrode internal parts, leading to repairs that often exceed the cost of proper protective equipment. Prevention makes both safety and financial sense.
Step-By-Step Guide to Safe Generator Operation in Wet Weather
Following a systematic approach reduces risk significantly. These steps apply whether you're running a basic generator or a premium model.
Step 1: Selecting the Correct Location
Position your generator at least six metres from any dwelling—that's roughly 20 feet. The exhaust must point away from doors, windows, and ventilation intakes. Carbon monoxide doesn't respect property boundaries; even a neighbour's open window downwind creates potential problems.
The unit should sit on a dry, level surface. Standing water and saturated ground are non-starters. A concrete slab works well; sturdy timber platforms or pavers provide alternatives when permanent surfaces aren't available. The goal is stability and drainage—you want water running away from the generator, not pooling around it.
Step 2: Installing Proper Weather Protection
Improvised solutions cause problems. A tarp draped over a running generator restricts airflow, leading to overheating or creating fire hazards. The fabric can also contact hot surfaces or moving parts.
Purpose-built generator tents and certified enclosures are designed to maintain ventilation while shielding against rain and wind-driven moisture. These accessories cost a fraction of a generator replacement and represent sensible preparation for storm season.
Even weather-resistant models benefit from dedicated covers. The Gentrax series from Outbax, for instance, features robust construction, but adding proper overhead protection maximises both safety and equipment longevity during extended wet-weather operation.
Step 3: Ensuring Electrical Safety and Grounding
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are essential safety devices that detect electrical faults and cut power instantly—within milliseconds. If current starts flowing through an unintended path (like a person), the GFCI trips before serious injury occurs.
Modern generators, including Outbax's Gentrax range, incorporate built-in GFCI protection on their outlets. Verify this feature is present and functioning before relying on any generator in wet conditions.
Extension cords matter equally. Use only heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords in good condition—no frayed insulation, cracked plugs, or damaged sockets. Keep connection points between cords and appliances dry; even a quality outdoor cord becomes hazardous when its connections sit in water.
Step 4: Managing Fuel Safely
Store fuel in approved containers in a separate, ventilated location away from the generator and any ignition sources. Petrol vapours are heavier than air and accumulate at ground level, creating invisible fire hazards.
Never refuel a running or hot generator. Turn the unit off and allow complete cooling for at least 10-15 minutes. In wet conditions, fuel spills are harder to detect and manage, and mixing petrol with rain creates additional complications. Fill the tank before starting so you're not forced to refuel mid-storm.
Essential Safety Equipment for Wet Weather Operation
Treating this equipment as standard preparation rather than optional extras changes outcomes during emergencies.
Generator tent or cover remains the single most important protective accessory. Purpose-built options provide ventilation while blocking rain from above and wind-driven moisture from the sides.
Heavy-duty outdoor extension cords with appropriate gauge ratings for your intended power draw make safe connections possible. Inspect cords for damage before each use—cracks and wear accelerate in outdoor storage conditions.
Battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors positioned inside the home provide critical backup. These should be part of every household's standard safety equipment, regardless of generator ownership, but they're especially important during power outages when you're running fuel-burning equipment nearby.
A dry chemical fire extinguisher accessible near the generator location addresses the small but real risk of fuel-related fires. Know how to use it before you need it.
Outbax stocks generator accessories and safety equipment suited to Australian conditions that are worth checking out before storm season arrives.
Safer Alternatives for Wet Weather Power
Modern technology offers options that sidestep many traditional generator risks entirely.
Inverter Generators: Quieter and Smarter Technology
Inverter generators represent a significant advancement over traditional open-frame models. Units like the Gentrax GT2000 and GT3500 produce a clean and stable pure sine wave power that matches grid quality. This matters for sensitive electronics: laptops, medical devices, and communication equipment run safely without the voltage fluctuations that can damage circuitry.
Here’s what one of our customers said about the GT2000:
“The neat compact unit, filled with oil and fuel, started the second pull. Runs like a dream and is nice and quiet.”
Their enclosed designs provide inherently better moisture protection than open-frame alternatives. They also offer a quieter operation of around 50-60 decibels compared to 70+ for conventional generators, avoiding conflict with neighbours or fellow campers. Expect to pay between $400 and $1,500 for these, depending on capacity and features.
Portable Power Stations: The Indoor-Safe Solution
Portable power stations change the equation entirely for wet-weather scenarios. Models like the VoltX M2000 from Outbax are completely fume-free and can operate inside the home. No carbon monoxide. No electrocution risk from rain. No six-metre positioning requirements.
These units charge from mains power before storms arrive or via VoltX solar panels like the VoltX 12V 200W Fixed Solar Panel during extended outages. They're ideal for powering fridges, CPAP machines, lighting, phones, and laptops—the essentials that keep households functional during blackouts.
Capacity-dependent pricing ranges from $800 to over $3,000. For essential item backup during short-term outages, portable power stations often represent the safest and most practical choice for Australian households.
Pre-Start Safety Checklist
Have these items checked before starting any generator in wet conditions:
- Location: Minimum six metres from dwelling, dry level surface, exhaust directed away from all openings
- Weather protection: Generator tent or cover correctly positioned with adequate ventilation maintained
- Electrical connections: Undamaged outdoor-rated cords, GFCI outlets functioning
- Carbon monoxide detector: Equipped with fresh batteries, positioned inside the home
- Fuel: Tank filled to capacity, spare fuel stored safely away from the unit
Running through these takes two minutes and helps prevent consequences that last considerably longer.
Powering Through the Storm Safely
Three principles govern safe generator operation in wet weather: maintain distance from dwellings, use proper weather protection, and prioritise electrical safety at every connection point.
Portable petrol generators remain powerful emergency tools, but safety must govern every decision during wet-weather operation. Storm season arrives whether you're ready or not—preparation made now pays dividends when the lights go out. With correct knowledge, appropriate equipment, and awareness of modern alternatives like inverter generators and portable power stations, Australian households can maintain both safety and comfort through any storm.
Outbax provides the equipment and expertise to help you prepare effectively. Visit our website today for a range of quality portable power equipment and accessories for outdoor or home backup applications.
