Selecting a Generator
To calculate the generator size you need, total the wattage of the appliances and other items you want to simultaneously power. If you plan to power several appliances, you need to account for their starting or "surge" requirements. You can find this information on the appliance or in its manual.
|
Household |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
Coffee Maker
|
1750
|
0
|
Dishwasher
Cool Dry |
700
|
1400
|
Electric Fry Pan |
1300
|
0
|
Electric Range
8-inch element
|
2100
|
0
|
Microwave Oven 625 watts
|
625
|
800
|
Refrigerator or Freezer
|
700
|
2200
|
Automatic Washer
|
1150
|
2300
|
Clothes Dryer
Electric |
5750
|
1800 |
Lights |
as indicated on bulb |
0
|
Radio
|
50 to 200 |
0
|
Television - Color |
300
|
0
|
Central Air Conditioner
10,000 BTU |
1500
|
2200
|
Furnace Fan, gas or fuel oil |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
1/8 Horsepower |
300
|
500
|
1/6 Horsepower |
500
|
750
|
1/4 Horsepower |
600
|
1000
|
1/3 Horsepower |
700
|
1400
|
1/2 Horsepower |
875
|
2350
|
Sump Pump |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
1/3 Horsepower |
800
|
1300
|
1/2 Horsepower |
1050
|
2150
|
Contractor |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
Air Compressor
1 Horsepower |
1500
|
4500
|
Bench Grinder
8 inches
|
1400
|
2500
|
Hand Drill
1/2 inch
|
600
|
0
|
High-pressure Washer
1 Horsepower
|
1200
|
3600
|
Circular Saw, Heavy Duty
71/4 inches |
1400
|
2300
|
Electric Chain Saw
14 inches, 2 Horsepower |
1100
|
0
|
Table Saw
10 inches |
1800
|
4500
|
Drills |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
3/8 inch 4 amps |
440
|
600
|
1/2 inch 5.4 amps |
600
|
900
|
Industrial Motors |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
Split Phase |
|
|
1/4 Horsepower |
600
|
1000
|
1/2 Horsepower |
875
|
2300
|
Capacitor Start Induction Run |
1/3 Horsepower |
720
|
1300
|
1 Horsepower |
1600
|
4500
|
Capacitor Start Capacitor Run |
11/2 Horsepower |
2000
|
6100
|
Fan Duty |
1/4 Horsepower |
650
|
1200
|
Farm Equipment |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
Electric Fence, 25 miles |
250
|
0
|
Milk Cooler |
1100
|
1800
|
Milker (vacuum pump),
2 Horsepower |
1000
|
2300
|
Portable Heater
(kerosene, diesel fuel) |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
50,000 BTU |
400
|
600
|
90,000 BTU |
500
|
725
|
150,000 BTU |
625
|
1000
|
Battery Charger |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
15 amp |
380 |
0
|
60 amp with 250-amp boost
|
1500/5750 |
0
|
100 amp with 300-amp boost
|
2400/7800
|
0
|
Electric Welder |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
200 amp AC |
9000 |
0
|
230 amp AC, at 100 amp |
7800 |
0
|
Air Compressors |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
1/2 Horsepower |
975 |
1600
|
1 Horsepower |
1600 |
4500
|
Computers |
Running
Wattage
Requirements |
Additional
Wattage Required
For Starting |
Desktop |
600 to 800 |
0
|
Laptop |
200 to 250 |
0
|
Monitor |
200 to 250 |
0
|
Fax |
600 to 800 |
0
|
Printer |
400 to 600 |
0
|
Specifications, appearance and availabilty are
subject to change without notice.
Actual unit may differ from photo.
