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THESE TWO PAGES   [TOP OF PAGE AND BOTTOM] ARE SELECTOR GUIDES FOR CALCULATING PROPER GENERATOR WATTAGE NEEDED FOR YOUR PERSONAL SELECTIONS=  

YOU CAN USE EITHER GUIDE TO ADD UP YOUR WATTAGE NEEDS TO DETERMINE WHAT SIZE GENERATOR WOULD FIT FOR YOU

KEEP IN MIND BIGGER IS BETTER -DON'T SHORT CIRCIUT YOUR NEEDS WITH SOMETHING THAT WON'T SUPPLY WHAT YOU SELECT, WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST 

PAGE # 1

APPLIANCE WATTAGE SELCTION BOXES SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLI-
ANCE SELECT
AVERAGE RUNNING WATTS AVERAGE STARTING WATTS
AM/FM RADIO 175 175 NOTE 1
TELEVISION SET 300 300 NOTE 1
(5) 100 W. LIGHT BULBS 500 500
(10) 100 W. LIGHT BULBS 1000 1000
REFRIGERATOR, 1/4 HP 600 1950 NOTE 3 (CODE G MOTOR)
FREEZER, 1/4 HP 600 1200 NOTE 3 (CODE G MOTOR)
1/3 HP FURNACE FAN 800 1600 NOTE 1
1/3 HP SUMP PUMP, CODE G 800 1600 NON-SUBMERSIBLE, NOTE 3
1/2 HP SUMP PUMP, CODE G 1200 3600 NON-SUBMERSIBLE, NOTE 3
1/4 HP GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR 600 1200 NOTE 1
MICROWAVE OVEN 750 1500 NOTE 1
ELECTRIC WATER HEATER 5000 5000
COMPUTER SYSTEM: CPU, MONITOR, LASER PRINTER 1500 1500 NOTE 1
DISHWASHER, 1/6 HP 500 1000
PORTABLE ELECTRIC HEATER 1500 1500
UPS SYSTEM 2000 2500 NOTE 1
ELECTRIC FRY PAN 1400 1400
AIR CONDITIONER 12,000 BTU
(1 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)
1900 7600 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 24,000 BTU
(2 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)
2800 11200 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 32,000 BTU
(2.5 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)
3500 14000 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 40,000 BTU
(3 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)
5000 20000 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
1 HP WATER PUMP, CODE G 1920 5760 PUMP LOCATED ON TANK, ABOVE GROUND, NOTE 3
2 HP WATER PUMP, CODE G 2500 7500
3/4 HP WATER PUMP, CODE L 1700 6800 PUMP LOCATED AT BOTTOM OF WELL, INDICATING SUBMERSIBLE MOTOR, NOTE 2
1-1/2 HP WATER PUMP, CODE L 2400 9600
1/4 HP ATTIC FAN, CODE G 600 1200 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
ELECT. CLOTHES DRYER, 1/4 HP 6000 8000 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
GAS CLOTHES DRYER, 1/4 HP 750 2100 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
ELECTRIC RANGE 6" ELEMENT 1200 1200
ELECTRIC RANGE 8" ELEMENT 2000 2000
WASHING MACHINE WITH 1/3 HP MOTOR 800 1600 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)

 

NOTE 1:  This equipment has solid state circuitry and is extremely voltage sensitive.  Make sure your generator yields less than 10% harmonic distortion of it's generated wave-form.

 

NOTE 2:  These motor designs are shown as Code L, with high locked rotor values.  A maximum starting watt value is generally (5) times running watts. However, some new air conditioner brands have realized more home standby plants are being purchased every year. A re-design in air conditioner starting loads, has begun, to lower this huge starting demand. If it's important to you, to have air conditioning during utility power blackout, consult licensed electrician to check locked rotor starting amps, to ensure air conditioner will start, while other loads are already in use.

 

NOTE 3:  These motor designs are shown as Code G, with average locked rotor values.  A maximum starting watt value is generally (3) times running watts.

NOTE 4:  For large offices, using a multitude of UPS systems, always double the total UPS load for generator KW sizing.

PAGE # 2

Wattage Calculator

There are different categories to consider when choosing a generator for your needs: recreation, home standby and construction. You may also want to consider using an inverter generator for sensitive electronic devices. Inverter generators are smaller and lighter as power is created electronically and not through a conventional alternator. Inverter power offers the cleanest power output.

If you want a generator for home standby, say to run your refrigerator, you’ll need at least 2500 watts or more. And if you want to use a transfer switch so that power can go directly into your home, you’ll want a generator with at least 3000 watts.

You’ll also need to consider the maximum and rated power of the generator. This is important depending on what items you want to run off of your generator. Items such as toaster, lamps, and coffee makers are resistive, or constant loads and their total load can be calculated at amps x 1. Items such as saws and drills are reactive loads and while the running load may be small, the starting load should be calculated at running amps x 3. Remember, after the intial start less power is required for actual operation.

Always remember that simple power management will allow a smaller generator to do a big job. Very seldom are all tools or appliances operating simultaneously. When calculating power requirements, consider the starting requirements are only for the initial start and then additional tools may be operated in addition.

Remember Ohm’s Law
Watts = Volts x Amps
Amps = Watts/Volts

So, if you have two of the numbers (e.g. volts, amps) then you can find out the other (e.g. watts). This can help you to determine the rated power that you’ll need from your generator.

AVERAGE WATTAGE REQUIREMENT GUIDE
(AMPS X VOLTS = WATTS)

Household Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
Coffee Maker 1750 0
Dishwasher
Cool Dry
700 1400
Electric Fry Pan 1300 0
Electric Range
8-inch element
2100 0
Microwave Oven 625 watts 625 800
Refrigerator or Freezer 700 2200
Automatic Washer 1150 2300
Clothes Dryer
Electric
5750 1800
Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil
1/8 Horsepower 300 500
1/6 Horsepower 500 750
1/4 Horsepower 600 1000
1/3 Horsepower 700 1400
1/2 Horsepower 875 2350
Lights as indicated on bulb (30 to 100)  0
Radio 50 to 200 0
Sump Pump
1/3 Horsepower 800 1300
1/2 Horsepower 1050 2150
Television - Color 300 0
Central Air Conditioner
10,000 BTU
1500 2200
Contractor Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
Air Compressor
1 Horsepower
1500 4500
Bench Grinder
8 inches
1400 2500
Hand Drill
1/2 inch
600 0
High-pressure Washer
1 Horsepower
1200 3600
Circular Saw, Heavy Duty
71/4 inches
1400 2300
Electric Chain Saw
14 inches, 2 Horsepower
1100 0
Table Saw
10 inches
1800 4500
Drills
3/8 inch 4 amps 440 600
1/2 inch 5.4 amps 600 900
Industrial Motors Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
Split Phase
1/4 Horsepower 600 1000
1/2 Horsepower 875 2300
Capacitor Start Induction Run
1/3 Horsepower 720 1300
1 Horsepower 1600 4500
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run
11/2 Horsepower 2000 6100
Fan Duty
1/4 Horsepower 650 1200
Farm Equipment Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
Electric Fence, 25 miles 250 0
Milk Cooler 1100 1800
Milker (vacuum pump),
2 Horsepower
1000 2300
Portable Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel)
50,000 BTU 400 600
90,000 BTU 500 725
150,000 BTU 625 1000
Battery Charger
15 amp 380 0
60 amp with 250-amp boost 1500/5750 0
100 amp with 300-amp boost 2400/7800 0
Electric Welder
200 amp AC 9000 0
230 amp AC, at 100 amp 7800 0
Air Compressors Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
1/2 Horsepower 975 1600
1 Horsepower 1600 4500

Computers
Running
Wattage
Requirements
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting
Desktop 600 to 800 0
Laptop 200 to 250 0
Monitor 200 to 250 0
Fax 600 to 800 0
Printer 400 to 600 0
Needed to Start
Minimum:  
Minimum: 
Needed to Run
Minimum:  
Minimum: