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The most economical way to supply power during a power outage is to use a portable generator
of the appropriate wattage for your needs (at least 4000 Watts for starters) and run extension cords
into the house to power chosen appliances. A safer system is to have an electrician install a power transfer switch
, connected to the house's main electrical panel. Just fire up the generator, run a single extension cord into the transfer switch and power the circuits you need through the main circuit breaker. This eliminates the risk of electrical “back feed” injuring utility workers repairing downed power lines.
A small portable gasoline-powered electric generator can provide power for TVs, small kitchen appliances, hair dryers, power tools, lights and other comforts of civilization when you are out roughing it in the woods.
Portable generators can be put to work on construction sites that have no electrical service, providing clean, reliable power to operate saws
, drills
, air compressors
, heaters
, paint sprayers
and other AC-powered tools. Most are gasoline-powered, a few run on diesel, and some models have multi-fuel capabilities, running on gasoline, propane or natural gas. These are generally full-featured machines with engine idle control, GFCI receptacles and 120 Volt full power switch.
An emergency home standby generator system can automatically restore power to your house in about 20 seconds. When the power goes out, the generator automatically starts and continues to run until power is restored. You can choose a generator that delivers enough power for the entire house (including air conditioning) or go with a smaller unit and power a few selected circuits, like the refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan and several lights for basic survival.
These all-weather generators are installed outside the home and are wired through an automatic transfer switch (sold separately) to the main electrical panel. The use of an automatic transfer switch is required when generators are connected to home wiring.
Home standby systems can be fueled by natural gas, LP gas or diesel fuel. Many models can be connected to the home's natural gas line, eliminating the need to fill fuel tanks. Standby system capacities range from 6,000 Watts up to 40,000 Watts and more, and start automatically-even if you are not home.
If you have a business that simply can't be without power or you have no existing source of electrical power for your home or business, you will need an industrial generator. These are typically stationary, heavy-duty units that generate single (120 Volt) or three-phase (120, 240 or 480 Volt) power. These massive systems are powered by water-cooled diesel engines, with some models generating up to 200 KW (200,000 Watts) of power. With the use of an automatic transfer switch, these generators can serve as backup power for large commercial or industrial operations, such as nursing homes, refrigeration operations, farms, large buildings and other businesses that can't go without power due to an outage.
Quiet, powerful gasoline, diesel or LP-powered generators can be installed in your RV, 5th wheel trailer, truck camper, tent trailer or travel trailer to provide electrical power.
Create power on demand by attaching a generator to the PTO on your tractor
or construction equipment. Belt-driven generator heads work with your existing gas engines. They are less expensive because the engine is not included.
Add up the wattage of tools, appliances and motors you want to run at the same time. Then select a generator with the RUNNING wattage rating to match or exceed the total load. Keep in mind that tools and appliances with electric motors
require additional tool/appliance SURGE wattage at startup that can be double or triple the normal running wattage requirement. Look at the surge watts required and make sure you choose a generator with enough additional wattage to start them. Keep in mind that you typically are not starting more than half of the items at the same time.
Most home appliances and power tools are 120 Volts; larger appliances like electric stoves and clothes dryers may be 240 Volts. Generator power is measured in Watts: Amps x Volts = Watts
You can use our Wattage Chart to estimate the wattages of the tools, appliances and motors you will be operating at the same time. Wattage noted below are approximates only; please refer to tool or appliance itself for specific wattage required or order our easy-to-use tester below.
Simple Plug-in Tester Gives Quick, Accurate Digital Readouts of Watt or Amp Usage
Use for refrigerators, dehumidifiers, space heaters, microwaves, holiday lighting, coffeemakers, hair dryers and more. Essential for calculating power needs for home transfer switches and emergency generator needs. More Info
| Category | Appliance | Running Wattage Required | Surge Wattage Required at Startup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household/RV | Coffee Maker | 1750 | 0 |
| Dishwasher: Cool/Dry | 700 | 1400 | |
| Electric Fry Pan | 1300 | 0 | |
| Electric Range: 8in. Element | 2100 | 0 | |
| 625W Microwave | 625 | 800 | |
| Refrigerator or Freezer | 700 | 2200 | |
| Automatic Washer | 1150 | 2300 | |
| Electric Clothes Dryer | 1800 | 5750 | |
| Furnace Fan (Gas or fuel oil): 1/8 HP | 300 | 500 | |
| Furnace Fan (Gas or fuel oil): 1/6 HP | 500 | 750 | |
| Furnace Fan (Gas or fuel oil): 1/4 HP | 600 | 1000 | |
| Furnace Fan (Gas or fuel oil): 1/3 HP | 700 | 1400 | |
| Furnace Fan (Gas or fuel oil): 1/2 HP | 875 | 2350 | |
| Lights | As indicated on bulb | 0 | |
| Radio | 50-200 | 0 | |
| Sump Pump: 1/3 HP | 800 | 1300 | |
| Sump Pump: 1/2 HP | 1050 | 2150 | |
| Color Television | 300 | 0 | |
| RV Air Conditioner: 13,500 BTU | 1500 | 2200 | |
| Room Air Conditioner: 10,000 BTU | 1500 | 2200 | |
| Central Air Conditioner (for 2200 sq. ft. home*) | 10,000 | 11,250 | |
| Small Appliance | 200 | 1700 | |
| Contractor | 8in. Bench Grinder | 1400 | 2500 |
| Pressure Washer: 1 HP | 1200 | 3600 | |
| 7-1/4in. Circular Saw | 1400 | 2300 | |
| Electric Chain Saw: 14in. Bar, 2 HP | 1100 | 0 | |
| 10in. Table Saw | 1800 | 4500 | |
| Drill: 3/8in., 4 Amps | 440 | 600 | |
| Drill: 1/2in., 5.4 Amps | 600 | 900 | |
| Industrial Motors | Split Phase: 1/4 HP | 600 | 1000 |
| Split Phase: 1/2 HP | 875 | 2300 | |
| Capacitor Start Induction Run: 1/3 HP | 720 | 1300 | |
| Capacitor Start Induction Run: 1 HP | 1600 | 4500 | |
| Capacitor Start Capacitor Run: 1 1/2 HP | 2000 | 6100 | |
| Fan Duty: 1/6 HP | 550 | 850 | |
| Farm Equipment | Electric Fence: 25 Miles | 2500 | 0 |
| Milk Cooler | 1100 | 1800 | |
| Milker (Vacuum Pump): 2 HP | 1000 | 2300 | |
| Portable Heater (Kerosene, Diesel Fuel): 50,000 BTU | 400 | 600 | |
| Portable Heater (Kerosene, Diesel Fuel): 90,000 BTU | 500 | 725 | |
| Portable Heater (Kerosene, Diesel Fuel): 150,000 BTU | 625 | 1000 | |
| Battery Charger: 15 Amp | 380 | 0 | |
| Battery Charger: 60 Amp with 250 Amp Boost | 1500/5750 | 0 | |
| Battery Charger: 100 Amp with 300 Amp Boost | 2400/7800 | 0 | |
| Electric Welder: 200 Amp AC | 9000 | 0 | |
| Electric Welder: 230 Amp AC at 100 Amp | 7800 | 0 | |
| Computers | Desktop | 600-800 | 0 |
| Laptop | 200-250 | 0 | |
| Monitor | 200-250 | 0 | |
| Fax | 600-800 | 0 | |
| Printer | 400-600 | 0 |
*Based on average-sized unit. Central air conditioners differ in wattage requirements; consult owner’s manual for specific wattage requirements.
Finally, add together the wattage requirements for all the electrical devices that you want to run, to determine the minimum continuous wattage, or start at the same time, to determine the minimum surge wattage, you will need from a generator.
Minimum Recommendations for Typical Home Standby Power (1 kw = 1,000 watts)
| Customer Type | Appliance | One Item at a time | Two Items at a time | All Items at once |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer #1 | Lights | 2.4kw | 4.5kw | 6.6kw |
| Color Television | 2.4kw | |||
| Furnace Fan | 2.4kw | |||
| Freezer | 2.4kw | |||
| Refrigerator | 2.4kw | |||
| Sump Pump | 4.5kw | |||
| Customer #2 | Includes Customer #1 and central air | 4.5kw | 6.6kw | 10.5kw |
| Customer #3 | Includes Customer #1 and a well pump | 4.5kw | 6.6kw | 10.5kw |
| Customer #4 | All of the above | 4.5kw | 6.6kw | 13.5kw |
When in doubt, remember that bigger is better!
Plug appliances directly into generator
Do not attempt to connect the generator directly to your home’s circuits or wiring. Have an electrician install a transfer switch and plug the generator into this switch. This will keep the generator from feeding power back into the lines, which could put power company crews working on the lines at risk. This will also protect your generator and home wiring from damage when power is restored.
Use heavy-duty extension cords from the generator, as overloaded cords can cause fires and equipment damage. Make sure cords are placed to avoid tripping hazards, but don’t put underneath carpets where heat may build up.
Never run a generator indoors and make sure there is proper ventilation around unit.
Never add fuel while generator is running. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components and put out all flames or cigarettes when handling fuel.
Consider tri-fuel generators to avoid multiple trips to the gas station and downtime.
Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher near generator.
Don’t overload the generator. Use only when necessary to power essential equipment.
Be cautious handling electrical cords in wet conditions.
Generators use either gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane. Here are the advantages of each fuel type.
Sound Intensities: How loud will it be?
Sound intensities are typically measured in decibels (db). A one decibel change is the smallest volume change detectable by the human ear. The Decibel scale is logarithmic rather than a linear scale.
| Decibels | Degree | Comparable Loudness or Feeling |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Deafening | Jet aircraft, Artillery fire |
| 130 | Deafening | Threshold of pain, Causes immediate ear damage |
| 120 | Extremely Loud | Thunder or Diesel engine room |
| 110 | Extremely Loud | Close to a train |
| 100 | Very Loud | Wood saw, Home lawn mower, car horn @ 16 ft. |
| Over 90 decibels - Hearing can be damaged if protective equipment is not worn | ||
| 90 | Very Loud | Symphony, Truck without muffler |
| 80 | Loud | Car noise @ high speed, Police whistle |
| 70 | Loud | Normal street noise, Average radio |
60| Moderate |
Normal conversation |
|
| 50 | Moderate | Normal office noise |
| 40 | Faint | Residential area without vehicle traffic |
| 30 | Faint | Quiet conversation |
| 20 | Very Faint | Whisper, Ticking of a watch |
| 10 | Totally Quiet | Soundproof room, Threshold of hearing |
Check out our selection of Generator Cordsets + Plugs
.
| Amps at 240V | Load (watts) | #10 Ga. Cord | #12 Ga. Cord | #14 Ga. Cord | #16 Ga. Cord |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2400 | 250 ft. | 150 ft. | 100 ft. | 75 ft. |
| 20 | 4800 | 125 ft. | 75 ft. | 50 ft. | 25 ft. |
| 30 | 7200 | 60 ft. | 35 ft. | 25 ft. | 10 ft. |
| 40 | 9600 | 30 ft. | 15 ft. | 10 ft. | NA |
| 50 | 12000 | 15 ft. | NA | NA | NA |
WARNING: Use of undersized extension cords can cause electric shock, fire, or damage to connected devices. All extension and appliance cords must be in good condition and not worn, bare, frayed or otherwise damaged.
WARNING: Use of damaged electric cords can cause electric shock or fire. Note: If an extension cord becomes hot to the touch, it is overloaded or damaged and must be replaced.
Northern Tool is NOT responsible for damage or injury resulting from customer use of inadequate extension cords
| Generators including Generator Accessories, Portable Generators, PTO Generators, Residential Standby Generators and more from Northern Tool + Equipment. |
