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How to Find the Wattage Needed for Your Generator Application

Generator Wattage Calculator

When you are planning to buy a power generator for your electrical appliances and/or tools, knowing the required watts, which is the electrical power, is very important. Our wattage reference chart will help you determine your electrical power needs and suggest the right portable generators for you.

Find the Polaris Portable Generator that's right for you.

 

1   Choose what the main use of your generator will be:

 

  • Choose Worker to find a generator suitable for powering tools, for construction work or for farm work
  • Choose Player to find a generator for your RV, your DIY activities, your camping trips, tailgating or for your outdoor events
  • Choose Save-the-Dayer to find a generator to use as backup power or primary power for your home

 

2   Make the list of the items you want to power. Use the wattage reference chart below or refer to owner’s manual of the item you wish to power.

 

3   Use the chart below to determine the total power requirements for your selected appliances. There are two figures you should pay attention to:

 

  • Starting Watts: The amount of power the item needs to start up. Note: Motor driven items usually require more wattage to start up.
  • Running Watts (or rated watts): The maximum number of watts that your generator can provide when your items are running.

 

How to determine wattage:

Watt = Amp x Volt (for example, 3 Amps x 110 Volts = 330 Watts)

 

4   Choose a generator slightly bigger than your needs. It’s much better to have a few hundred extra watts available than to end up with a generator that suddenly shuts off due to the overload. 

Running Watts: 2000

Starting Watts: 2500

Inverter Generator

Running Watts: 1600

Starting Watts: 2000

Inverter Generator

Running Watts: 2800

Starting Watts: 3200

Inverter Generator

Running Watts: 5000

Starting Watts: 5500

Open Frame Generator

Running Watts: 6000

Starting Watts: 6500

Open Frame Generator

Wattage Reference Chart

WORKER

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Quartz Halogen Work Light, 300

300

0

Airless Sprayer - 1/3 HP

600

1200

Reciprocating Saw

960

960

Electric Drill - 3/8”, 4 Amps

440

600

Electric Drill - 1/2”, 5.4 Amps

600

900

Hammer Drill

1000

3000

Circular Saw - 7-1/4”

1400

2300

Miter Saw - 10”

1800

1800

Table Saw/Radial Arm Saw - 10”

2000

2000

Welder

2000

2500

Belt Sander

1200

2400

Air Compressor - 1/4 HP

970

1600

Air Compressor - 1 HP

1600

4500

PLAYER

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Electric Grill

1650

0

AM/FM Radio

100

0

Box Fan - 20”

200

0

Outdoor Lighting String

250

0

Cell Phone Charger

25

0

Inflator Pump

50

150

Hot Plate

2500

2500

Plasma TV - 42”

220

220

Laptop

250

250

SAVE-THE-DAYER

Essentials

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Light Bulb - 60 Watt

60

0

Refrigerator/Freezer

700

2200

Sump Pump - 1/3 HP

800

1300-2900

Sump Pump - 1/2 HP

1050

2150-4100

Water Well Pump - 1/3 HP

1000

2200

Electric Water Heater

4000

0

Heating/Cooling

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Space Heater

1800

0

Humidifier - 13 Gal

175

0

Furnace Fan Blower - 1/3 HP

700

2350

Furnace Fan Blower - 1/2 HP

800

1400

Window AC - 10,000 BTU

1200

3600

Central AC - 10,000 BTU

1500

4500

Heat Pump

4700

4500

Laundry Room

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Iron

1200

0

Washing Machine

1150

2250

Clothes Dryer - Electric

5400

1350

Clothes Dryer - Gas

700

1800

Kitchen

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Microwave Oven

1000

1400

Refrigerator

400-800

2200

Oven

60

7500

Blender

300

900

Coffee Maker

1000

0

Electric Stove - 8” Element

2100

0

Dishwasher - Hot Dry

1500

1500

Food Processor

400

0

Toaster

850

0

Family Room

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

DVD Player

100

0

Gaming System

40

0

Electric Fire Place

1500

1500

Stereo Receiver

450

0

Other

TOOL OR APPLIANCE

RUNNING WATTS

STARTING WATTS

Security System

500

0

Garage Door Opener - 1/2 HP

875

2350

Curling Iron

1500

0

Hair Dryer - 1250 Watt

1250

0