IMPERIAL DIESEL GENERATORS Size Determination Worksheet

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Sizing your generator is elementary math. Power usage is usually measured in watts. A light bulb, for instance, may require 40 watts of power, where a blender may require 300 watts.

To size your generator, total the wattage requirements for all appliances that may run at the same time. Typically, the evening hours are peak energy use times. (We recommend that you add at least 25% to perceived requirements to allow room for growth.)

Appliance wattage is usually listed on the manufacturer's label. If only amperage is listed, the formula to determine watts is as follows:

amps x volts = watts

Most generator manufacturers, including Imperial Diesel, measure generator size in continuous watts (or the number of watts the generator will deliver continuously). Continuous watts should not be confused with surge watts. Surge is the highest output (in watts) that the generator will "surge" to briefly power the startup of things like motors.

Power-hungry loads with large motors (such as compressors, water pumps, refrigerators, and air conditioners) may surge at startup three to four times their listed continuous load rating. Loads like this may need to be taken into account when sizing your generator. We can work these considerations out with you.

Click on the link below to download the Size Determination Worksheet. Open and print this worksheet; it will help you determine the power package that fits your individual needs.

If you aren't interested in a power storage system and only want to determine what size generator you need for powering loads directly, you only need to complete STEP 1 of the Worksheet.

Click for Worksheet

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