Example - Briggs & Stratton P2200 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 Wattage
Reference Guide.
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:

Rated
Tool or
(Running)
Appliance
Watts
Window Fan
Deep Freezer
Television
Security System
Light (75 Watts)
1555 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.
Additional Surge
(Starting) Watts
300 600
500 500
500 —
180 —
75 —
600 Highest Surge
Watts
= 1555
= 600
= 2155
NEVER add more loads than the generator capacity.
Take special care to consider surge loads in generator
capacity, as described above.
Wattage Reference Guide
Tool or Appliance
Essentials
Light Bulb - 75 watt
Deep Freezer
Sump Pump
Refrigerator/Freezer - 18 cf
Water Well Pump - 1/3 hp
Heating/Cooling
Window AC - 10,000 BTU
Window Fan
Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 hp
Kitchen
Microwave Oven - 1000 Watt
Coffee Maker
Electric Stove - Single Element
Hot Plate
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 - 40 gallon
DIY
Quartz Halogen Work Light
Airless Sprayer - 1/3 hp
Reciprocating Saw
Electric Drill - 1/2 hp
Circular Saw - 7-1/4 in
Miter Saw - 10 in
Table Planer - 6 in
Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10 in
Air Compressor - 1-1/2 hp
* Wattages listed are approximate only. Check tool or
appliance for actual wattage.
Rated* Additional
(Running) Surge
Watts (Starting)
Watts
75 —
500 500
800 1200
800 1600
1000 2000
1200 1800
300 600
800 1300
1000 —
1500 —
1500 —
2500 —
100 —
100 —
450 —
500 —
800 —
180 —
300 —
480 520
4000 —
1000 —
600 1200
960 960
1000 1000
1500 1500
1800 1800
1800 1800
2000 2000
2500 2500
15