PEPE ELECTRIC LLC GENERATOR SIZING INQUIRY PAGE
COMMON WATTAGE USE OF VARIOUS HOME ELECTRICALDEVICES
NOTES ON SIZING A GENERATOR
To determine the size of the generator needed, total the rated watts
of the appliances and fixtures youll want to operate during an outage. Some loads
are easy to determine -- a 100-watt light bulb, for example, uses 100 watts. Ten 100 bulbs
would require 1,000 watts, or 1 KW. The power requirements for appliances are often
provided in the operating manual. These specifications are also stamped on the face
plate along with serial and model numbers.
While the power needs of individual appliances vary, those that produce heat or use large
motors tend to require higher wattage's.
An average 14 cubic-foot refrigerator with automatic defrosting, for example, requires
about 615 watts while an electric range at 12,220 watts needs nearly 20 times as much
power. Electric space heaters and water pumps are usually rated at 1,000 to 1,800 watts
(1-1.8 kW) and electric water heaters require 2,500 to 4,500 watts (2.5-4.5 KW).
As you can see, a households power requirements can quickly add up.
MOTORS REQUIRE EXTRA CALCULATION
Power needs for motors, such as those powering well pumps or furnace
fans, are more difficult to determine. Electric motors require more current when starting
than they do in continuous operation-as much as three to six times more.
Motors are rated by horsepower (hp). A one-horsepower motor requires about one kilowatt to
run and a surge of five kilowatts to get started. An electric motor rated for two
horsepower needs twice as much power. So while a motor-powered appliance may run with only
one KW, the generator must be able to provide five KW to get it started. Again, those
ratings appear on the motors face plates. Without sufficient starting power, motors
may overheat, burn out or trip the generators circuit breaker.
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Type of Generator Interested In
Brand of Generator Interested In
Which Fuel Is Available At Your Site
PropaneNatural GasFuel Oil/Diesel Gasoline None
Heating System
Water System
Hot Water Heater
Sewage Pump
Sump Pump
Pool Filter
Select Desired Appliances
Refrigerator Freezer Dishwasher Dehumidifier Garbage Disposal
Microwave Gas Cook Top Electric CookTop Electric Oven Gas Oven
Select Desired Home Area To Be Powered
Family Room Master Bath Main Bath Master Bedroom Bedrooms # Kitchen Garage
Other
Emergency Systems
Central Alarm Smoke Detectors Emergency Medical Equipment
Air Conditioning Systems
Lighting
Enter # of Lights Bulbs #Outdoor Floods