| GENERATOR WATTAGE CALCULATOR
|
Depending on how you will use your generator, there
are different categories to meet your needs. This can include recreation, home
standby and construction.
If you want a generator for home standby, for example, if you want 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
initial 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 from High School Physics?
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.
Note: While these figures are as accurate as we can make them, there is no substitute for a whole-house survey. Call EN-R-G today at 973-537-7900 to make an appointment or simply submit our information form.
|
|
AVERAGE
WATTAGE REQUIREMENT GUIDE (AMPS X
VOLTS = WATTS)
|
Household
|
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
|
Coffee Maker
|
600
|
600
|
Dishwasher
Cool Dry |
540
|
216
|
| Electric Fry Pan |
1500
|
1500
|
Electric Range
8-inch element
|
2100
|
2100
|
Microwave Oven
650 watts
|
1000
|
1000
|
Refrigerator or
Freezer – Energy Star
|
1200
|
132-192
|
Automatic Washer
|
1200
|
1200
|
Clothes Dryer
Electric
|
6750
|
5400
|
Furnace
Fan, gas or fuel oil
|
| 1/8 Horsepower |
500
|
300
|
| 1/6 Horsepower |
750
|
500
|
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1000
|
600
|
| 1/3 Horsepower |
1400
|
700
|
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2350
|
875
|
| Incandescent
Lights |
as indicated on
bulb
|
as
indicated on bulb
|
Radio
|
50 to 200 |
50
to 200
|
Sump
Pump
|
| 1/3 Horsepower |
1300
|
800
|
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2150
|
1050
|
| Television -
Color
|
300
|
300
|
Air Conditioner
10,000 BTU |
2200
|
1500
|
Contractor
|
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
Air Compressor
1 Horsepower
|
4500
|
1600
|
Bench Grinder
8 inches
|
2500
|
1400
|
Hand Drill
1/2 inch
|
900
|
600
|
High-pressure
Washer
1 Horsepower
|
3600
|
1200
|
Circular Saw,
Heavy Duty
71/4 inches
|
2300
|
1400
|
Electric Chain
Saw
14 inches, 2 Horsepower
|
1100
|
1100
|
Table Saw
10 inches
|
4500
|
1800
|
Drills
|
| 3/8 inch 4 amps
|
600
|
440
|
| 1/2 inch 5.4
amps |
900
|
600
|
Industrial
Motors
|
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
Split
Phase
|
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1700
|
400
|
| 1/2 Horsepower |
2600
|
600
|
Capacitor
Start Induction Run
|
| 1/3 Horsepower |
975
|
450
|
| 1 Horsepower |
2300
|
1000
|
Capacitor
Start Capacitor Run
|
| 1 1/2 Horsepower
|
4200
|
1600
|
Fan
Duty
|
| 1/4 Horsepower |
1200
|
650
|
Farm
Equipment
|
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
| Electric Fence,
25 miles
|
250
|
250
|
| Milk Cooler
|
1800
|
1100
|
Milker (vacuum
pump),
2 Horsepower |
2300
|
1000
|
Portable
Heater (kerosene, diesel fuel)
|
| 50,000 BTU
|
600
|
400
|
| 90,000 BTU |
725
|
500
|
| 150,000 BTU |
1000
|
625
|
Battery
Charger
|
| 15 amp |
380 |
380
|
60 amp with
250-amp boost
|
1500/5750 |
1500/5750
|
100 amp with
300-amp boost
|
2400/7800
|
2400/7800
|
Electric
Welder
|
| 200 amp AC
|
9000 |
9000
|
| 230 amp AC, at
100 amp |
7800 |
7800
|
| Air
Compressors |
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
| 1/2 Horsepower |
1600
|
975
|
| 1 Horsepower
|
4500 |
1600
|
Computers
|
Approximate
Wattage Required
For Starting
|
Approximage
Running Wattage
Requirements |
| Desktop
|
600 to 800 |
600
to 800
|
| Laptop
|
200 to 250 |
200
to 250
|
| Monitor (CRT)
|
200 to 250 |
200
to 250
|
| Fax
|
600 to 800 |
600
to 800
|
| Printer |
400 to 600 |
400
to 600
|
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