The Electrical Inspection Unit that falls under the Ministry of Communications and Works portfolio is reminding the public that it is an offence to install stand-by generators without obtaining prior written permission.

In accordance with the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation’s Ordinance Number 7 of 1978, Part IX, Section 36, Subsections 1, 2 and 3, approval of all applications for stand-by generators must be obtained from the Minister for Communications and Works before generators are installed.

The request must include the name of the property owner(s) along with his/her contact information; the address where the generator is proposed to be installed, the name of the licensed electrician who will be installing the generator and the building load. In addition, the make, rate capacity, voltage, phase, frequency, enclosure/protection and fuel type of the generator must be included.

Prior permission is mandatory to ensure that generators are installed safely and without risk to linemen.  Improperly connected generators can back-feed electricity from a home to the power line and send deadly voltage into the path of a lineman. Linemen take extensive safety precautions to determine that power lines are de-energised, but have little way of knowing if a stand-by generator may transmit deadly voltage into their paths.

The Electrical Inspection Unit’s serves the public by working to prevent and minimise the loss of property caused by electrical damage. Persons wishing to obtain more information can contact the Electrical Inspection Unit at 468-3701 ext. 3604.

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