How to calculate surge watts

Electric generators are rated by number of watts
they produce.
Because a watt is a measure of energy
transfer or conversion, the more watts, the more
power you’ll be able to get from your generator. How
many watts you need depends on the wattage of the
applications you need to power. Generator wattage
varies from as little as 100 watts all the way up to
over 100,000 watts. So, before you start shopping
for a generator, take a minute to think about what
you need to power.
Generators are listed by the maximum wattage
they produce, but you’ll also see a measurement of
a generator’s “rated power” or “running power”. A
generator will only run at maximum power for about
30 minutes, so look at a generator’s running wattage
for a better estimate of what you can power using
your generator. To determine how many watts you
need, add up the wattage of all the tools, appliances,
and motors you want to run at the same time. You’ll
want to pick a generator with a running wattage that
matches or exceeds this number.
Some electric motors use additional power
during start up, up to three times their normal
running wattage. Calculate the surge wattage of all the
electronics you need to power using your generator,
and choose a generator with enough extra wattage to
withstand the additional load required.
Be sure to check individual items for specific
wattage, but the chart provided on the next page gives
an estimate of running wattage and surge wattage for
some common items.
Generator BUYer’S GUIDe:
How manY wattS
Do I neeD?
www.PePlus.com
Power equipment Plus
75 Meigs Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491
1-800-550-8780
Tools. Equipment. Plus a whole lot more.
www.PePlus.com
Power equipment Plus
75 Meigs Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491
1-800-550-8780
Tools. Equipment. Plus a whole lot more.
How manY
wattS Do I neeD?
Power Equipment Plus
is a division of Country Home Products,
Inc., the premiere developer and marketer of professional-grade
outdoor equipment for residential use. Country Home Products was
founded in 1985 in Charlotte, Vermont. For more information on its
complete line of power equipment and property care supplies, visit
the web site at www.PEPlus.com.
Generators are available with a wide range of
features, with each generator suited to a particular
application. The type of generator you select will
depend heavily on your application, with Emergency
generators power essential appliances such as
a refrigerator in case of a power outage. These
typically run on gas, with ratings from around 2500
watts up to 8000 watts. Home standby generators
feature higher wattage ratings and powerful,
water-cooled diesel engines. Some units feature
ratings of over 100,000 watts, making them great
for commercial applications where a power outage
could wreck your bottom line. PTO generators are
also ideal for heavy-duty applications, with some
generating upwards of 100,000 watts.
When you’re ready to make your selection,
the best prices on hundreds of electric generators
can be found at the power equipment superstore,
PowerEquipmentPlus.com.
CatEgory
aPPlIance
running WattagE
additional SurgE WattagE
Home
Coffee pot (10 cup)
600-1500
0
electric Fan
200
600
Toaster
800-1500
Blender
500-750
Light Bulbs
50-150
Vacuum cleaner
1225
Clock radio
10
microwave
750-1100
800
Hair Dryer
1200-1875
Refrigerator
240-600
Dishwasher
1200
1400
Automatic Clothes Washer
500
0
Air Conditioner – Central 24k BTU
3750
6235
Air Conditioner – Window 8000 BTU
800
1600
Plasma Screen TV
300
LCD TV
110
PlayStation 3
197
Wireless Router
7
ConTRACToR
Pressure Washer – 1 hp
1200
3600
7 ¼” electric Chainsaw – 2 hp
1100
0
ComPUTeRS
Desktop
600-800
Laptop
200-250
monitor
200-250
Printer
400-600
Tom Parent
for Power Equipment Plus