Powering appliances safely
Appliances have different power needs - or wattage.
For example:
- Refrigerator or freezer around 1800 starting watts, 180 watts normal running
- Portable radio - 5 watts to 45 watts
- Light - 40 watts to 100 watts (the wattage is marked on the light globe)
- Stereo system - 65 watts
- Garage door opener - up to 1400 starting watts
- Electric frypan - 1300 watts
- Coffee maker - 1750 watts to 2400 watts
- Microwave oven - 625 watts to 2000 watts
- Television - 40 watts for a 20 inch up to 180 watts for an 80 inch screen
- Air conditioner - up to 8000 starting watts for small window mount unit (and 1200 watts normal running); up to 30000 starting watts for a large split system (and 6000 watts normal running)
Avoid an electrical overload. Note the power loading (wattage rating) marked on the nameplate of your appliances. Add up all the wattage values of items you want to connect to the generator. The total will indicate the power load requirements your generator will need to supply.
Appliances with motors (like fridges and freezers) can use up to ten times their listed wattage when starting up, factor that in. And remember, your generator should not be run continuously at more than 80 percent of its rated capacity.
Use extension cords sparingly - and only use ones with correct current rating. Using an ordinary extension cord on a large appliance can cause overheating, leading to appliance damage or even fire.
Last updated July 11, 2005
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