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.
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