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Generator Wattage Calculator

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Estimates the load requirements of your generator to ensure it can handle the appliances you need to power.

How To Use

How to use this calculator

Start with your values, or try a preset.

Step 1

Enter Lights (Watts), Refrigerator (Watts), Microwave (Watts), TV (Watts), Computer (Watts), Water Pump (Watts), Heater (Watts), Other Appliances (Watts), and Safety Factor (%) in the units shown.

Step 2

Read Total Surge Watts (Starting Watts), Total Running Watts, Total Watts Required, and Recommended Generator Wattage in the results panel. Results update as you change the inputs.

Step 3

Choose a preset to load an example, then adjust the values for your situation.

Worked Examples

Example calculations

See the inputs and their calculated results.

Basic Setup

Lights (Watts): 100; Refrigerator (Watts): 700; Microwave (Watts): 1,000; TV (Watts): 100; Computer (Watts): 0; Water Pump (Watts): 0; Heater (Watts): 0; Other Appliances (Watts): 0; Safety Factor (%): 20

Total Surge Watts (Starting Watts): 700 Watts; Total Running Watts: 1,900 Watts; Total Watts Required: 2,600 Watts; Recommended Generator Wattage: 3,120 Watts

Emergency Power

Lights (Watts): 200; Refrigerator (Watts): 700; Microwave (Watts): 1,000; TV (Watts): 150; Computer (Watts): 300; Water Pump (Watts): 1,200; Heater (Watts): 0; Other Appliances (Watts): 100; Safety Factor (%): 20

Total Surge Watts (Starting Watts): 4,300 Watts; Total Running Watts: 3,650 Watts; Total Watts Required: 7,950 Watts; Recommended Generator Wattage: 9,540 Watts

Home Office

Lights (Watts): 150; Refrigerator (Watts): 700; Microwave (Watts): 0; TV (Watts): 100; Computer (Watts): 300; Water Pump (Watts): 0; Heater (Watts): 0; Other Appliances (Watts): 100; Safety Factor (%): 20

Total Surge Watts (Starting Watts): 700 Watts; Total Running Watts: 1,350 Watts; Total Watts Required: 2,050 Watts; Recommended Generator Wattage: 2,460 Watts

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