SELECT A GENERATOR FOR YOUR HOME

 

The selection of proper KW generator size for your home back-up electric power, in the event of utility power failure, can be a varied process, depending on the square footage size of your home and the type of equipment to be used, during a utility blackout.  The bare essentials for a typical natural gas, heated home of 2000 square feet, would require any of the items in the following chart, to have back-up power.

 

Instructions for Chart Calculator use:

 

1.  The "Average Running Watts" for all appliances, are pre-selected, by the dot in the circle method.

 

2.  Choose your required appliances by "clicking" the appliance select box, on far right hand side of chart.  The "dot in circle" will remain, at "Average Running Watts" column.

 

3.  Upon completion, review your choices and choose only one appliance having the highest "Average Starting Watts" in this list.  "Click" on this one item (allowing only one item in this entire list), under "Average Starting Watts".  The "dot in circle" will now move to the "Average Starting Watts" column.

 

4.  The "Special Considerations"  section, will help you identify these "Average Starting Watt" loads.  typically they are motor loads, with Code G motors having the easiest starting watts (2-3 times run watts) and Code L having the greatest starting watts (4-5 times run watts).

 

5.  When the selection process is complete, "click" on "Select Generator" for a variety of generator models, descriptions and list prices.

 

6.  Consult your specified Gillette Distributor for your actual Net Prices.

 

APPLIANCE WATTAGE SELCTION BOXES SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS APPLI-
ANCE SELECT
AVERAGE RUNNING WATTS AVERAGE STARTING WATTS
AM/FM RADIO 175 175 NOTE 1
TELEVISION SET 300 300 NOTE 1
(5) 100 W. LIGHT BULBS 500 500  
(10) 100 W. LIGHT BULBS 1000 1000  
REFRIGERATOR, 1/4 HP 600 1950 NOTE 3 (CODE G MOTOR)
FREEZER, 1/4 HP 600 1200 NOTE 3 (CODE G MOTOR)
1/3 HP FURNACE FAN 800 1600 NOTE 1
1/3 HP SUMP PUMP, CODE G 800 1600 NON-SUBMERSIBLE, NOTE 3
1/2 HP SUMP PUMP, CODE G 1200 3600 NON-SUBMERSIBLE, NOTE 3
1/4 HP GARAGE DOOR OPERATOR 600 1200 NOTE 1
MICROWAVE OVEN 750 1500 NOTE 1
ELECTRIC WATER HEATER 5000 5000  
COMPUTER SYSTEM: CPU, MONITOR, LASER PRINTER 1500 1500 NOTE 1
DISHWASHER, 1/6 HP 500 1000  
PORTABLE ELECTRIC HEATER 1500 1500  
UPS SYSTEM 2000 2500 NOTE 1
ELECTRIC FRY PAN 1400 1400  
AIR CONDITIONER 12,000 BTU
(1 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)		 1900 7600 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 24,000 BTU
(2 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)		 2800 11200 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 32,000 BTU
(2.5 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)		 3500 14000 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
AIR CONDITIONER 40,000 BTU
(3 HP ELECTRIC MOTOR)		 5000 20000 NOTE 2  (CODE L MOTOR)
1 HP WATER PUMP, CODE G 1920 5760 PUMP LOCATED ON TANK, ABOVE GROUND, NOTE 3
2 HP WATER PUMP, CODE G 2500 7500
3/4 HP WATER PUMP, CODE L 1700 6800 PUMP LOCATED AT BOTTOM OF WELL, INDICATING SUBMERSIBLE MOTOR, NOTE 2
1-1/2 HP WATER PUMP, CODE L 2400 9600
1/4 HP ATTIC FAN, CODE G 600 1200 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
ELECT. CLOTHES DRYER, 1/4 HP 6000 8000 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
GAS CLOTHES DRYER, 1/4 HP 750 2100 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)
ELECTRIC RANGE 6" ELEMENT 1200 1200  
ELECTRIC RANGE 8" ELEMENT 2000 2000  
WASHING MACHINE WITH 1/3 HP MOTOR 800 1600 NOTE 3  (CODE G MOTOR)

 

NOTE 1:  This equipment has solid state circuitry and is extremely voltage sensitive.  Make sure your generator yields less than 10% harmonic distortion of it's generated wave-form.

 

NOTE 2:  These motor designs are shown as Code L, with high locked rotor values.  A maximum starting watt value is generally (5) times running watts. However, some new air conditioner brands have realized more home standby plants are being purchased every year. A re-design in air conditioner starting loads, has begun, to lower this huge starting demand. If it's important to you, to have air conditioning during utility power blackout, consult licensed electrician to check locked rotor starting amps, to ensure air conditioner will start, while other loads are already in use.

 

NOTE 3:  These motor designs are shown as Code G, with average locked rotor values.  A maximum starting watt value is generally (3) times running watts.

 

NOTE 4:  For large offices, using a multitude of UPS systems, always double the total UPS load for generator KW sizing.

 

For sizing a generator for a specific large electric motor load,
or for use with long extension cords please click this link.

 

Gillette Generators, Inc.
Copyright © 2004   All rights reserved.