Page 8 — English
ELECTRIC MOTOR LOADS
It is characteristic of common electric motors in normal operation to draw up to six times their running current while start-
ing. This table may be used to estimate the watts required to start “Code G” electric motors; however, if an electric motor
fails to start or reach running speed, turn off the appliance or tool immediately to avoid equipment damage. Always check
the requirements of the tool or appliance being used compared to the rated output of the generator.
Motor Size (H.P.)
Running Watts
Watts Required to Start Motor
Repulsion Induction
Capacitor
Split Phase
1/8
275
600
850
1200
1/6
275
600
850
2050
1/4
400
850
1050
2400
1/3
450
975
1350
2700
1/2
600
1300
1800
3600
3/4
850
1900
2600
—
1
1100
2500
3300
—
CAUTION:
Operating voltage and frequency requirement of all
electronic equipment should be checked prior to plugging
them into this generator. Damage may result if the
equipment is not designed to operate within a +/- 10%
voltage variation, and +/- 3 hz frequency variation from the
generator name plate ratings. To avoid damage, always
have an additional load plugged into the generator if
solid state equipment (such as a television set) is used.
A power line conditioner is recommended for some solid
state applications.
ELECTRICAL
EXTENSION CORD CABLE SIZE
Refer to the table below to ensure the cable size of the extension cords you use are capable of carrying the required load.
Inadequate size cables can cause a voltage drop, which can burn out the appliance and overheat the cord.
Current in
Amperes
Load in Watts
Maximum Allowable Cord Length
At 120V
At 240V
#8 Wire
#10 Wire
#12 Wire
#14 Wire
#16 Wire
2.5
300
600
1000 ft.
600 ft.
375 ft.
250 ft.
5
600
1200
500 ft.
300 ft.
200 ft.
125 ft.
7.5
900
1800
350 ft.
200 ft.
125 ft.
100 ft.
10
1200
2400
250 ft.
150 ft.
100 ft.
50 ft.
15
1800
3600
150 ft.
100 ft.
65 ft.
20
2400
4800
175 ft.
125 ft.
75 ft.
25
3000
6000
150 ft.
100 ft.
30
3600
7200
125 ft.
65 ft.
40
4800
9600
90 ft.
GENERATOR CAPACITY
Make sure the generator can supply enough continuous (run-
ning) and surge (starting) watts for the items you will power
at the same time. Follow these simple steps.
1. Select the items you will power at the same time.
2. Total the continuous (running) watts of these items. This
is the amount of power the generator must produce to
keep the items running. See the wattage reference chart
at right.
3. Estimate how many surge (starting) watts you will need.
Surge wattage is the short burst of power needed to start
electric motor-driven tools or appliances such as a circular
saw or refrigerator. Because not all motors start at the
same time, total surge watts can be estimated by adding
only the item(s) with the highest additional surge watts to
the total rated watts from step 2.
