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Essential Circuits
As a home generator owner, it is important that you clearly
identify the circuits in your building that are “essential” to
you.
It is also important that your installer understand which
circuits you want to include as “Essential Circuits”.
Depending on the power consumed by these circuits, most
or all of them can be switched to the home generator for the
duration of normal power interruption.
The wattage reference table that follows will assist you with
your decision-making process. It provides the wattage used
by many ordinary household devices. Use it as a guide when
selecting your essential circuits. Review this information with
your installer and ask about any technical considerations that
might affect your installation. This chart serves as a guide
only. For exact wattage use an appropriate wattage meter.
Essential Circuit Selection
When selecting the essential circuits that will be switched
to “Standby Power,” it is important that the sum of the
combined circuit loads does not exceed the wattage/
amperage capacity of the generator. To help you with your
selection of essential circuits, please consider the following:
• Add up the total wattage of all electrical devices to be
connected at one time. This total should NOT be greater
than the generator’s wattage capacity.
The rated wattage of lights can be taken from light
bulbs. The rated wattage of tools, appliances and
motors can usually be found on a data plate or decal
affixed to the device.
• If the appliance, tool or motor nameplate does not
list wattage, multiply volts times the ampere rating to
determine watts (Volts x Amps = Watts).
Some electric motors (induction types) require about
three times more watts of power for starting than for
running. This surge lasts for only a few seconds. Be
sure you allow for this high starting wattage when
selecting electrical devices that will be energized by the
home generator:
• Figure the watts required to start the largest motor.
• Add that to the total running watts of all other
connected loads.
This Briggs & Stratton home generator complies with the
following “stationary standby power rating”:
The standby power rating is applicable for supplying
power for the duration of normal power interruption.
No sustained overload capability is available for this
rating.
Device
Running Watts
q
Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu)* 1700
q
Air Conditioner (24,000 Btu)* 3800
q
Air Conditioner (40,000 Btu)* 6000
q
Battery Charger (20 Amp) 500
q
Circular Saw (6-1/2”) 800 to 1000
q
Clothes Dryer (Electric)* 5750
q
Clothes Dryer (Gas)* 700
q
Clothes Washer* 1150
q
Coffee Maker 1750
q
Compressor (1 HP)* 2000
q
Compressor (1/2 HP)* 1400
q
Compressor (3/4 HP)* 1800
q
Curling Iron 700
q
Dehumidifier* 650
q
Electric Blanket 400
q
Electric Range (per element) 1500
q
Electric Skillet 1250
q
Freezer* 700
q
Furnace Fan (1/2 HP)* 800
q
Garage Door Opener* 500 to 750
q
Hair Dryer 1200
q
Hand Drill 250 to 1100
q
Iron 1200
q
Jet Pump* 800
q
Light Bulb 100
q
Microwave Oven 700 to 1000
q
Milk Cooler* 1100
q
Oil Burner on Furnace 300
q
Oil Fired Space Heater (140,000 Btu) 400
q
Oil Fired Space Heater (30,000 Btu) 150
q
Oil Fired Space Heater (85,000 Btu) 225
q
Radio 50 to 200
q
Refrigerator 700
q
Slow Cooker 200
q
Submersible Pump (1 HP)* 2000
q
Submersible Pump (1/2 HP)* 1500
q
Submersible Pump (1-1/2 HP)* 2800
q
Sump Pump* 800 to 1050
q
Table Saw (10”)* 1750 to 2000
q
Television 200 to 500
q
Toaster 1000 to 1650
*Allow three (3) times listed watts for starting device