Generators provide power to spaces and equipment during power outages or in areas where standard electrical service is unavailable. Different types of generators can meet various needs in different scenarios. When you ask how big a generator I need, you can refer to the following to help you make a choice.

power selection

If you want to know how much power the generator I need, in other words, you want to know generator power or total wattage. To determine the best generator for your home, you can start by calculating the approximate total power requirements of each appliance using the following formula:

Running wattage (R) + Starting wattage (R x 3) = Total wattage needed

According to the formula, add the electrical power required to supply power, and you can determine how much power the generator need. The more appliances you want to use, the bigger your generator will be.

Household Power Calculations

Dimension selection

When choosing a generator, you need to consider the scenario you are using. If it is outdoor camping, tailgate party, and other activities, it is necessary to conveniently take the generator to different places, you can choose a variable frequency generator, its advantages are portability, low noise, and high efficiency. However, if it is an outdoor construction site, a large household appliance, or a relatively open place with high power demand, you can choose a general generator, which has the advantage of high power.

When purchasing, you should consider your usage scenario and the real demand for power, so that you can choose the most suitable generator.

What Size Generator Do I Need For My House?

One question you definitely want to ask before buying a home backup generator is how much power do I need? When choosing a home generator, you must estimate your energy needs and then determine what size generator you need to power your home based on your energy needs.

Select the devices you want to run

Before using your generator, list all essential appliances that must run during an emergency outage, such as lighting circuits, refrigerators, etc. Like some unimportant equipment, it can not run or selectively run when there is surplus power.

Calculate the total power required by the device

Calculate the power required to start each device according to the instructions in the user manual of the home appliance, and obtain the total power required for all devices to start, as well as the energy required for operation after the initial start. Then select a generator with a power greater than the required power according to the calculated power.

Choose a generator that is slightly larger than your needs.

Choosing a generator with a slightly higher power can provide extra power for other equipment to use, and the life of the generator will be longer because it is not running at full capacity. Noise reduction, full load operation noise.

How to Connect a Gasoline Generator to The House?

Gasoline Generators are an easy and inexpensive option to keep your lights and appliances running during a power outage in your home. But how should we link the generator to our house and use it normally?

There are two ways to connect the generator to the appliances in the house: one is to connect the appliance directly to the generator; the other is to connect your generator to your home grid.

The first way is to use an extension cord to connect your device directly to a portable generator outside, but this is cumbersome to use and there is no way to plug your home’s lights into the generator during a prolonged power outage, so you Will have to rely on flashlights and lamps

The second way is to connect the generator to your home’s power grid, and you can use any appliance in your home as you normally would, as long as it doesn’t exceed the generator’s voltage. The electrical outlets and lights in the home will be used as usual.

circuit connection

At this point, you will need a transfer switch to safely connect your generator to your home. The main purpose of a transfer switch is to switch your home’s electrical grid from the utility grid to your generator. In addition, another use of it is to simplify the power tube. The installation of the transfer switch can be done for you by an experienced electrician. Connecting the generator to the transfer switch at this point also requires a dedicated generator wire that plugs into the generator’s socket and the transfer switch’s inlet.

Before starting the generator, flip the main breaker on the transfer switch so that it draws power from the generator inlet and not from the utility grid. If you are using a manual transfer switch, also make sure that all breakers on the transfer switch are closed at this time, and make sure your generator is outside or in a well-ventilated area, then start it, at this point, you can Turn on the circuit breaker on a transfer switch to power your home.