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PORTABLE GASOLINE GENERATORS
DETERMINING ELECTRICAL LOAD FOR GENERATOR
You must decide what electrical load your generator can power. Do this before using generator. Use the following
1.Make two lists of items you want pow- ered by generator. List all motors and motor powered appliances in one. List all lights, small appliances, etc. in the other. For standby service to home or building, only include items you must power.
2.Enter running watts of each item ex- cept motors. The light bulb or appliance nameplate lists its wattage. Remember, 1KW = 1000 watts. Note: The name- plate may not list wattage. It may only list volts and amps. The formula for finding wattage is: Volts x Amps = Watts. For example: An appliance nameplate states 3 amps at 120 volts. 3 amps x 120 volts = 360 watts.
3.Electric motors present a special prob- lem. They require up to
120volts. 5 amps x 120 volts = 600 watts running. Multiply this figure by
3.This will show the starting watts needed. 600 watts x 3 = 1800 watts to start. When figuring the generator load
for motors, you must use the starting watts figure. Do not use the running watts figure. Note: Some motors re- quire nearly the same wattage to run as to start. These items include saws, drills, hair dryers, and food mixers. See Chart 1 for typical appliance wattage examples.
4.Add watts and starting watts of all items. This total must not be larger than the rated wattage of your generator. It is a good idea to have up to 25% extra capacity for future needs or extra equipment.
Chart 1 - Typical Electric Appliance Wattages
| Running | Starting |
| Running | Starting |
Equipment | Watts | Watts | Equipment | Watts | Watts |
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Light bulb (100W) | 100 | 100 | 1/2" Drill | 1000 | 1250 |
Radio | 150 | 150 | Toaster | 1200 | 1200 |
Fan | 200 | 600 | Coffee maker | 1200 | 1200 |
Television | 400 | 400 | Skillet | 1200 | 1200 |
Furnace fan (1/3 hp) |
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| 14" Chain saw | 1200 | 1500 |
with blower | 600 | 1800 | Water well pump |
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Vacuum cleaner | 600 | 750 | (1/2 hp) | 1000 | 3000 |
Sump pump (1/3 hp) | 700 | 2100 | Hot plate/range |
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Refrigerator/freezer | 800 | 2400 | (per burner) | 1500 | 1500 |
6" Circular saw | 800 | 1000 | 10" Table saw | 2000 | 6000 |
Floodlight | 1000 | 1000 | Water heater |
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| 5000 | 5000 | |
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Chart 2
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| Approximate Starting Watts* |
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Motor | Approximate | Universal | Repulsion |
| Split |
HP | Running | Motors | Induction | Capacitor | Phase |
Rating | Watts | (small appliance) | Motors | Motors | Motors |
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1/8 | 275 | 400 | 600 | 850 | 1200 |
1/4 | 400 | 500 | 850 | 1050 | 1700 |
1/3 | 450 | 600 | 975 | 1350 | 1950 |
1/2 | 600 | 750 | 1300 | 1800 | 2600 |
3/4 | 850 | 1000 | 1900 | 2600 | x |
1 | 1000 | 1250 | 2300 | 3000 | x |
1 1/2 | 1600 | 1750 | 3200 | 4200 | x |
2 | 2000 | 2350 | 3900 | 5100 | x |
3 | 3000 | x | 5200 | 6800 | x |
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*– Always use starting watts, not running watts, when figuring correct electrical load. x – Motors of higher horsepower are not generally used.
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