Generator Sizing

Single Phase Amps X Volts = Watts

example: You need 40 amps at 120 volts 40A x 120V = 4800 W or 4.8 kW

Three Phase Amps X Volts X 1.732 = Volt Amps or VA (apparent power) (1.732 is the square root of three)
example: You need 85 amps at 240 volts 3 phase 85A x 240V x 1.732 = 35,333 VA 35,333 VA / 1000 = 35.3 kVA

To convert 3 phase kVA to kW, multiply kVA times the power factor of 0.8 35.3 x 0.8 = 28.2 kW Reactive vs. Inductive Loads The 1-2-3 Method Reactive Loads - Found in equipment such as heaters, lights, and appliances Inductive Loads - Found in equipment with electric motors, such as power tools and small compressors One - Reactive Load - Simply total the wattage of the tools to be connected to the generator.
example: You have 29 100 watt light bulbs. 29 x 100 = 29,000 W or 2.9 kW

Two - Inductive Load - For items such as drills and other power tools that can be carried by hand, take the total wattage and multiply by two
example: It takes 1500 watts or 1.5 kW to run a 2" pump, use a 3 kW generator

Three - For larger inductive loads, such as bolted down motors, multiply running wattage by three
example: A conveyer belt takes 8 kW to run, use a 24 kW generator to start it.

Motor Starting

Large motors require a much larger amount of electricity to get started than they need once they are running. To determine this amount, find the HP of your electric motor below and locate the starting kVA's. For multiple motors, If you are sizing a generator to start multiple motors you first need to know if all the motors are going to start at the same time or if they can be started one at a time. If they all need to start at the same time, you need to locate the starting kW or kVA for EACH motor and add them together. The generator you need to get them all running MUST be this large. If you can actually start these motors sequentially (one after another) you can save a lot of money. For sequential starting take the largest motor first and determine what it takes to start it. Then add the Running kVA of the largest motor to the starting kVA of the second motor, and determine what it takes to run the first and start the second. Continue this process until all motors are started. HP 1 2 3 5 7.5 10 15 20 25 30 Running kW 1.06 2.0 2.9 4.6 7.0 904 13.7 17.4 22.0 25.5 Running kVA Start kVA 1.5 2.7 3.7 6.3 9.3 12.3 17.4 21.6 26.2 31.1 13 19 25 35 48 62 88 112 139 166 HP 40 50 60 75 100 125 150 200 Running kW 35.2 43.5 51.5 66.0 86.0 113.0 136.0 178.0 Running kVA 41.3 49.9 61.2 77.0 99.0 127.0 153.0 201.0 kVA Start 221 276 336 419 552 698 836 1110

Generator Glossary
Abreviations and Symbols

A W kW vA kVA

= = = = =

Amps Watts Kilowatts Volt amps Kilovolt amps

1 Single Phase = 3 Three Phase = = Volts V = Decibels dB = Frequency Hz (hertz)

Ammeter - An instrument that measures electric current in amperes.

Amperage (Amps) - The strength of a electrical current measured in amperes. Armature - That part of a generator or of an electric motor in which a current is induced by a magnetic field. The armature usually consists of a series of coils or groups of insulated conductors surrounding a core of iron. View Generator Theory for more information. Automatic Voltage Regulator - Or (AVR), increases or decreases exciter current for a more linear voltage and frequency. View Multiquips Patented Design for more information. Brushless Design - The purpose of the generator brush is to absorb power from the rotating armature of a generator and supply it to the stationary part of the generator. These brushes have a short life due to erosion. Multiquips new design is Brushless Design calls for lower maintenance and a longer generator life. View Multiquips Patented Design for more information. Frequency - Frequency is the number of complete cycles per second in alternating current direction. The standard unit of frequency is the hertz, abbreviated Hz. If a current completes one cycle per second, then the frequency is 1 Hz; 60 cycles per second equals 60 Hz Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI's) - These devices are designed to eliminate electrical shock hazard resulting from individuals coming in contact with a hot AC line. The circuit interrupter is designed to sense any change in circuit conditions. It is required by the NEC that all 12 volt, single phase, 15- or 20 ampere receptacle outlets that are installed outdoors or in bathrooms have ground fault interrupters connected to them KVA - Kilovolt amp which sizes three phase loads. Can be converted to Kilowatts by multiplying the KVA by the power factor 0.8. For examples visit our Generator Sizing page. NEMA - National Electrical Manufacturers Association. For more information about NEMA and their standards, visit there website at http://www.nema.org/. Ohm - A unit of electrical resistance equal to that of a conductor in which a current of one ampere is produced by a potential of one volt across its terminals. Phase Single Phase Power (typically 120V AC or 230V AC depending on the country) is carried between two wires: live and neutral and sometimes a third ground wire for saftey. The frequency of AC voltage is 50 or 60 Hz depending on the country. Single-phase power is used in very many applications, for example to power all

typical home electrical appliances, you get single-phase power from a normal electrical outlet at home. Three Phase Power is very common and is a more efficient use of conductors. Voltage is carried through three conductors 120 out of phase with the other two. Three-phase power provides a more efficient means of supplying large electrical loads like motors, and is used more in industrial areas. PMG - Permanent Magnetic Generator. Eliminates the excitation losses in the rotor, which otherwise typically represent 20 to 30% of the total generator losses. It also gives a lower temperature rise in the generator. Rheostat - A continuously variable electrical resistor used to regulate current. Voltage - the rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit. Expressed in volts (V) Voltmeter - This feature serves as a convenient diagnostic tool on the jobsite. The operator can quickly tell whether or not the generator is producing the correct voltage and prevent overheating of tools and equipment. Watt - An International System unit of power equal to one joule per second. The power dissipated by a current of 1 ampere flowing across a resistance of 1 ohm.