Honda Power Sports & Products, a business unit of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has announced that it has taken an important step toward even greater generator safety by equipping its portable generators with an advanced version of its original CO-MINDER carbon monoxide (CO) detection and automatic shutoff system.
Honda generators across the Economy, Deluxe, Industrial and Super Quiet Series now integrate CO-MINDER enhancements, meaning all models meet ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 safety and performance standards. (EU7000iS 49-state model to be available in September 2025).
Honda engineers recalibrated and reprogrammed the CO sensor to automatically shut down a generator immediately when it detects 600 parts per million (PPM) of carbon monoxide at the generator, or if it detects a 10-minute average of 400 parts of CO per million.
Honda was the first in the industry to commit to installing CO detection systems on its full line of generators, and in 2020, Honda became the first generator manufacturer to equip all models in its portable generator lineup with CO-MINDER™, its advanced carbon monoxide (CO) detection system. Honda EG, EM, EB and EU generator models, now integrated with CO-MINDER enhancements, are available via the national Honda Power Equipment dealer network and major retailers with warranty, features and pricing information available on the company website.
Today, Honda Power Sports & Products, a business unit of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. , has taken its next ambitious step toward even greater generator safety by equipping all of its portable generators with an enhanced version of its CO-MINDER carbon monoxide (CO) detection and automatic shutoff system. As a result, all 50-state Honda generators across the Economy, Deluxe, Industrial and Super Quiet Series now meet the new ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 safety and performance standard set by the PGMA to help reduce risk of injury or death from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from generators in enclosed spaces. (EU7000iS 49-state model to be available in September 2025).
Millions of Americans depend on generators for work, home, and play — tailgating, camping, on-the-job — and for emergency home backup during power outages. Safety rules specify that these products must be used outdoors and away from windows and doors to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly gas. Even outdoors, CO can accumulate to life-threatening levels in certain locations with little air movement. Yet, the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA) notes that year after year, people still suffer carbon monoxide poisoning, and even death, because of improper usage of portable generators.
5 Fast Facts on Honda CO-MINDER Carbon Monoxide Detection System
- The advanced Honda CO-MINDER carbon monoxide detection system incorporates a robust, fast-reacting, battery-powered sensor that continuously monitors for carbon monoxide in the air near the generator. If the sensor detects a CO level at or exceeding 600 parts per million (ppm), it triggers the engine to shut down immediately, or it will shut down the engine if the monitor detects an average of 400 ppm for 10 minutes. A safety light on the main panel notifies the user that a buildup of carbon monoxide caused the generator to shut down. Users who are connected to the generator using the Honda My Generator Bluetooth® App (available only on electric-start models), receive a notification that the generator shut down because the CO-MINDER system detected high levels of carbon monoxide.
- Two features make the Honda CO-MINDER system an exemplary safety feature. Slower CO sensing systems must trigger at lower CO concentrations to allow enough time to safely shut down the generator. In addition, short-term spikes in CO levels can occur under certain conditions—such as when wind gusts redirect exhaust toward the sensor—potentially triggering false alarms, unnecessary shutdowns, and inconvenience for the user. Honda CO-MINDER is an improvement over those systems.
- The Honda CO-MINDER carbon monoxide detection system is built with a comprehensive range of safety features. The system is not intended to be overridden or tampered with, and the sensors are designed to work even if they are accidentally blocked. The sensors, with a wide temperature operating range, match the design running temperatures of Honda generators, allowing for use just about anywhere in the U.S. Both moisture and dust resistant, the sensors are designed for years of use. Further, the generator sensor system automatically tests itself and is equipped with a built-in warning, alerting the user to replace the sensors prior to end of life.
- Honda engineers emphasize that portable generators must never be connected to a home's electrical system through a standard outlet; this practice—known as backfeeding—is illegal because it’s extremely dangerous for utility workers. A safe connection starts with a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. The switch cuts off the utility power while the generator operates and may power only selected circuits. Once utility power is restored, the user disconnects the generator from the transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.
- Honda generators offer a range of wattages and other innovative features, including inverter technology that provides clean, stable power, protecting against damaging power surges, large fuel tanks, full-frame protection, and electric starters. Honda EG, EM, EB and EU generator models, newly equipped with CO-MINDER™ enhancements, are available via the national Honda Power Equipment dealer network and other major retailers.
Honda, a PGMA member, was the first in the industry to commit to installing CO detection systems on its full line of generators. In 2020, the company fulfilled that commitment by becoming the first generator manufacturer to equip all models in its portable lineup with CO-MINDER, its advanced carbon monoxide (CO) detection system. The Honda CO-MINDER system continuously measures carbon monoxide levels in the air near the generator and automatically shuts down the engine before detected CO reaches a specific level. Equally important, while the system is designed to be fast-acting, it also reduces nuisance shutdowns produced by false positives.
Today, all Honda generator models (Super Quiet, Economy and Industrial Series) include the new, advanced CO-MINDER system that meets the ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 requirements. A closer look at the enhancements details the trajectory of improvements:
The original iteration of the Honda CO-MINDER system was set to automatically shut down a generator immediately when it detected 800 parts per million (PPM) of carbon monoxide at the generator or if it detected a 10-minute average of 400 parts of CO per million. This met the ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 safety standard.
To upgrade the CO-MINDER system to the new ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 standard, Honda engineers recalibrated and reprogrammed the CO sensor to automatically shut down a generator immediately when it detects 600 parts per million (PPM) of carbon monoxide at the generator or if it detects a 10-minute average of 400 parts of CO per million.
Honda also has moved the safety information labels closer to the CO indicators for greater convenience to the user. These labels contain information such as shutoff data, an exhaust directional safety warning, an anti-tamper message, and directions on how to restart the generator after an automatic CO-related shutdown.
"Portable generators have become a vital part of modern life, whether people depend on them for work, play or to provide lifesaving electricity in emergencies, storms or whenever the utility power goes out," said Mark Kohls, vice president of Honda Power Sports & Products, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As a leader in the portable generator industry, Honda stands firmly in step with the safety standards adopted by the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association in making our products safer and better for the people who use them. Our newly enhanced Honda CO-MINDER technology on every Honda generator exemplifies our company’s corporate commitment to providing industry-leading products and safety features for every consumer across home backup, industrial or recreational applications."
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