Don't Overload Generator - Briggs & Stratton Portable Generator Operator's Manual

Don't Overload Generator

Capacity
You must make sure your generator can supply enough
rated (running) 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 rated (running) watts of these items. This is
the amount of power your generator must produce to
keep your items running. See the table on the 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:
Running (Rated)
Tool or Appliance Watts
Water Well Pump 1200
Refrigerator
Furnace Fan
Television
Light (75 Watts)
3275 Total
Running Watts
Total Rated (Running) Watts
Highest Additional Surge Watts
Total Generator Output Required
Power Management
To prolong the life of your generator and attached devices, it
is important to take care when adding electrical loads to your
generator. There should be nothing connected to the
generator outlets before starting its engine. The correct and
safe way to manage generator power is to sequentially add
loads as follows:
1. With nothing connected to the generator, start the
engine as described in this manual.
2. Plug in and turn on the first load, preferably the largest
load you have.
3. Permit the generator output to stabilize (engine runs
smoothly and attached device operates properly).
4. Plug in and turn on the next load.
5. Again, permit the generator to stabilize.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each additional load.
14
Additional Starting
(Surge) Watts
2100
700 2200
800 2350
500 —
75 —
2350 Highest
Starting Watts
= 3275
= 2350
= 5625
Wattage Reference Guide
Tool or Appliance
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt
Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP
Sump Pump - 1/3 HP
Refrigerator/Freezer
Water Well Pump - 1/2 HP
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - 10,000 BTU
Humidifier - 13 Gal
Central AC - 24,000 BTU
Kitchen
Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt
Coffee Maker
Electric Stove - 8" Element
Toaster
Family Room
DVD/CD Player
VCR
Stereo Receiver
Color Television - 27 in
Personal Computer w/17 in
monitor
Other
Security System
AM/FM Clock Radio
Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP
Electric Water Heater
DIY/Job Site
Quartz Halogen Work Light
Airless Sprayer - 1/3 HP
Reciprocating Saw
Electric Drill - 1/2 HP, 5.4 Amps
Circular Saw - 7-1/4 in
Miter Saw - 10 in
Table Planer - 6 in
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10 in
Air Compressor - 1 HP
NEVER add more loads than the generator capacity. Take
special care to consider surge loads in generator capacity, as
described above.
* Wattages listed are approximate only. Check tool or
appliance for actual wattage.
Running* Additional
Starting
(Rated)
(Surge)
Watts
Watts
75 —
800 2350
800 1300
700 2200
1000 2100
1200 3600
175 —
3800 11400
1000 —
1000 —
2100 —
850 —
100 —
100 —
450 —
500 —
800 —
500 —
100 —
875 2350
4700 11700
1000 —
600 1200
960 —
600 900
1400 2300
1800 1800
1800 1800
2000 2000
1600 4500
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