WATTAGE CALCULATIONS
WATTAGE CALCULATIONS
IMPORTANT! Never exceed the rated capacity of your generator. Seri-
ous damage to the generator or appliance could result from an over-
load.
1) “Starting” and “Running” wattage requirements should always be
calculated when matching a generators wattage capacity to the
appliance or tool.
2) There are two types of electrical appliances that can be powered by
your generator;
a) Items such as radios, light bulbs, televison sets, and microwaves
have a “resistive load”. Starting wattage and running wattage are the
same.
b) Items such as refrigerators, air compressors, washer, dryer and hand
tools that use an electrical motor have an “inductive load”.
Inductive
load appliances and tools require approx. 2 to 3 times the listed
wattage for “starting” the equipment.
This initial load only lasts
for a few seconds on start-up but is important when figuring your total
wattage to be used.
Always start your largest electric motor first, and then plug in other
items, one at a time.
NOTE:
On 120-volt loads the maximum starting wattage should NOT
exceed one half of the rated generator wattage.
Example: a 4200 rated wattage generator = 3200 maximum starting
wattage.
Wattage Requirement Chart below
- This is only a guideline, each ap-
pliance or electrical device needs to be checked for its specific operat-
ing load.
DETERMINING WATTAGE REqUIREMENTS
Note: Volts X Amps = Watts
Example: 120V X 10 Amps = 1200 Watts
Before operating this generator, list all of the appliances and/or tools
that are going to operate at the same time. (Then determine the starting
wattage requirements and the running wattage requirements by follow-
ing the example below;
1) Add the total amount of the running wattage of all appliances and/or
tools that will be operated at the same time.
Example 1A:
Lights = 100 Watts (Running)
Television = 300 Watts (Running)
TOTAL = 400 Watts (Running)
2) Next add the total amount of the starting wattage of any appliances
and/or tools that will start and stop during operation.
Example 1B:
Small Refrigerator 700 Watts (Running) 2200 Watts (Starting)
TOTAL = 700 Watts (Running) 2200 Watts (Starting)
3) The running wattage of examples 1A & 1B totals 1100 watts. The
starting wattage of the small refrigerator is 2200 watts which is 1500
watts more than the running watts. Take this difference of 1500 starting
watts from the refrigerator and add to the total running watts of 1100.
Therefore:
1500 Starting Watts + 1100 Running Watts = 2600 Total Watts
The generator required to operate the items in example 1A & 1B
must have a minimum capacity of at least 2400 starting watts.