8 — English
ELECTRICAL
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.
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER
See Figure 1.
The 20 amp, 120 volt receptacles on the generator are pro-
tected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which
guards against the hazards of ground fault currents. An
example of ground fault current is the current that would
flow through a person who is using an appliance with faulty
insulation and, at the same time, is in contact with an elec-
trical ground such as a plumbing fixture, wet floor, or earth.
GFCI receptacles do not protect against short circuits,
overloads, or shocks.
The GFCI receptacles can be tested with the TEST and
RESET buttons.
To test:
Depress the TEST button. This should cause the Reset
button to pop out.
To restore power, depress the RESET button.
Perform this test monthly to ensure proper operation of the
GFCI. If the generator is stored outdoors, unprotected from
the weather, test the GFCI receptacle before each use.
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.
Example:
Tool or Appliance
Continuous
(Running) Watts
Surge
(Starting) Watts
Refrigerator
700
1350
Portable Fan
40
120
Laptop
250
250
46 in. Flat Panel
Television
190
190
Light (75 Watts)
75
75
1255 Total
Running Watts
1350 Highest
Surge Watts
Total Continuous (Running) Watts
1255
Plus Highest Additional Surge Watts + 1350
Equals Total Generator Output Required
2605
