How do you plan to use your generator?
Generators are used to perform a multitude of tasks and K & W Services offers a variety of models to suit.
K & W Services generators provide a high quality power source that is reliable and convenient
What size of generator do you require?
First it is necessary to decide which appliances are to be included and which of them will be operated simultaneously. Add the wattage rating (shown on the manufacturer’s information plate) of each appliance to be used. This will give a minimum wattage requirement. Please be aware of reactive load appliances. As generators are not designed to run on maximum load for prolonged periods, it is recommended that you increase your calculated wattage requirement by at least 25% to allow for this.
A generator should never be operated at its maximum power output for more than 30 minutes.
The power that a generator can produce for long periods i.e. “rated power” is a more reliable measure of generator power and typically this is 90% of the MAXIMUM power e.g. A 1000 watt generator produces a MAXIMUM power of 1000 watts allowing the generator to light 10 x 100 watt lamps at the same time. The rated wattage of this generator would be 900 watts and therefore should only be used to power 9 x 100 watt lamps.
When considering your power needs, first determine the highest power application i.e. Central heating pump or power tools as the power required to start the capacitor motor on these applications will determine the rated power of the generator you should choose.
Resistive Loads – the lamp example is called a resistive type load and the power it requires is fairly easy to understand. Other resistive types of load are appliances like kettle, coffee makers, toasters, TV’s and stereos. Resistive loads are usually appliances that do no have electric motors.
Reactive Loads – these contain an electric motor. Some household items like refrigerators have internal fans that come on intermittently so extra wattage/power is needed to start the fan. Another example is power tools. An appliance or tool with a reactive load may require up to 3 times as much power (wattage) to start as it does to keep it running. Examples of reactive loads – freezers, central heating pumps and air conditioning units.
Information Plate
All electrical motors have an information plate attached detailing the volts, amps, phase and cycles/horsepower.
Click 
for some information that you can use to determine how many Watts you will need to start up motors of various sizes and types