Generator Load Planning Worksheet

Formula and method

For complete rows of 1,000/2,000 W and 500/1,000 W, running load is 1,500 W and simultaneous starting load is 3,000 W. At PF 0.8 and operating capacity 70%, the model gives 3.75 kVA apparent load and a nearest-rounded 5.357 kVA capacity estimate.

R = Σ running W; S = Σ starting W; apparent kVA = max(R,S)/(1000×PF); estimated capacity kVA = apparent kVA/(operating percent/100).

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Assumptions and limitations

• Hiding sizing assumptions keeps the current power factor and operating capacity; Reset restores their captured defaults.
• The worksheet sums the starting wattage of every complete row, modeling simultaneous starts. A staged-start analysis can differ. Check whether your appliance’s label gives total starting watts or additional starting watts; this worksheet expects total starting watts.
• Use actual appliance running and starting ratings. Power factor 0.8 and operating capacity 70% are editable planning assumptions, not verified properties of a particular appliance or generator. The power-factor control can be shown using the original advanced-control selector.
• A row is counted only when both its running and starting values are entered and positive. Incomplete rows are omitted, not treated as zero. The warning for starting watts below running watts remains informational; the larger aggregate is used for apparent load.
• W totals use two decimal places; kW and kVA results use three, as in the captured callback. Nearest rounding can understate a small positive quantity, even display zero. Do not select a product by treating a rounded estimate as a minimum sufficient rating.
• Supported arithmetic inputs have at most 18 significant digits. Each load is 0.000001 through 1000000000000 W; PF is 0.000001 through 1; operating capacity is 0.000001 through 100%. Use watt or kilowatt controls as appropriate. Complete sums and rounding use bounded exact rational arithmetic.
• This simple kVA planning model omits voltage/frequency dips, motor-start sequence, nonlinear loads, harmonics, phase balance, altitude, temperature, outlet limits, fuel type and site-specific installation requirements. Validate the actual equipment and installation with the manufacturer or a qualified professional.
• The captured model is forward-only: its six callback summaries are readonly. Clearing power factor removes apparent-load and capacity summaries; clearing operating capacity removes only the capacity summary. No inverse sizing relationship is invented.

Common questions

References

• Cummins: running loads, starting loads and staged starts
• Caterpillar: limits of generator sizing estimates
• ABB: apparent power conversion kVA = kW / PF
• Calculation definition and unit reference

Translate only the exact captured ten-appliance callback into the local literal six-export model. Captured JavaScript remains offline evidence and is removed from product definition. All controls are retained. Preserve23 original controls/units/defaults/progressive rows; promote six captured numeric exports to readonly presentation fields. Strict sign comparisons preserve numeric domains and warnings without fuzzy boundary changes; exact rational sums and divisions round once to captured output places. Disclose18-significant-digit and magnitude work budgets and nearest-rounded planning limits. Clarify the hide-sizing-assumptions label without resetting retained values; Reset restores the captured defaults.

Related calculators

Explore everyday planning calculators or browse all everyday life calculators.

• Acceleration Time Heuristic
• Add Up to Twenty Durations
• Age as a Fixed-Duration Calendar Span
• Age in Elapsed Days
• Age in Fixed Average Years
• Ammunition Pack Unit Price