Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs

In order to choose the right emergency power source and to size it properly, you need to understand something about the power requirements of the devices you plan to operate.

The basic unit of power measurement is the watt, and with an emergency power source there are two wattage ratings that are important: steady-state wattage and surge wattage. A normal 60-watt incandescent light bulb requires, as you would expect, 60 watts, and it requires that wattage both when you turn it on and while it is running. A ceiling fan motor, on the other hand, might require 150 watts to get it started and 75 watts while it is running. That extra wattage to start the motor is called the surge wattage and is typical of anything that contains an electric motor.

Here are the usual wattages of some of the devices found in a typical household:
Device Typical wattage Surge Wattage
Light bulb 60 watts 60 watts surge
Fan 75 watts 150 watts surge
Small black/white television 100 watts 150 watts surge
Color television 300 watts 400 watts surge
Home computer and monitor 400 watts 600 watts surge
Electric blanket 400 watts 400 watts surge
Microwave oven 750 watts 1,000 watts surge
Furnace fan 750 watts 1,500 watts surge
Refrigerator 1,200 watts 2,400 watts surge
Well pump 2,400 watts 3,600 watts surge
Electric water heater 4,500 watts 4,500 watts surge
Whole-house A/C or heat pump 15,000 watts 30,000 watts surge
One thing you can see from this chart is that the heat pump or air conditioner for an entire house has a huge appetite for power. If your house has a heat pump and you want to be able to keep the house warm during a power failure in the winter, then you will either need to purchase a very large generator (which costs a whole lot) or you will need a backup heat source, such as wood or propane.
One other thing to note is that if you plan to operate sensitive equipment like TVs and computers from an emergency power supply, you will want to have in place excellent surge protection equipment and, in the case of a computer, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). When a large device like a refrigerator turns on, there is no way that a small generator will be able to keep power stable during the surge. A UPS will prevent your computer from crashing during the blip.


To calculate your power needs, you need to add up the normal and surge wattage figures for all of the devices you want to operate simultaneously. Here are two examples:
1. If you plan to operate a small TV and two 60-watt light bulbs, then you need an emergency power supply that has a capacity of at least 220 watts and a surge capacity of 270 watts. Rounding up, that's 250 watts continuous and 300 watts surge.
2. If you plan to operate your refrigerator, a color TV and a microwave simultaneously, you need 2,250 watts continuous and 3,800 watts surge in the worst case (if all three happen to turn on at exactly the same moment). If you are willing to manage your power a bit and make sure they do not all turn on at once, then your surge power requirement is only 2,400 watts.

If you are willing to operate only one of these devices at a time, then, because your refrigerator is the largest power user, you need to size your emergency power system so it is large enough to handle the refrigerator.
The point made in the second example about staggering your power consumption is important. If you are willing to stagger your usage -- for example, running the refrigerator for an hour and then running the well pump, but never operating them together -- you can get by with a smaller generator.

Here is an example of a electric generator you can find at XG Power.
This one is a 6700-watt Electric Generator 110 / 240 volt with electric start

Our generator packs plenty of power to run heavy-load equipment like heaters or air compressors. Auto decompression ensures easy starting.

Dependable, maintenance-free ignition and brushless alternator. Large, super-quiet muffler. Black, tubular steel frame and easy-to-read fuel gauge. This super-fuel-efficient generator gets up to 11 hours of continuous operation on a tank of gas.

Generator Specifications:



* Type : Brushless AVR - Single Phase


* AC Frequency : 60 HZ


* Maximum AC Output : 6700 Watts


* Rated AC Output : 6000 Watts


* Rated / Maximum AC Current : 50.0 / 55.0 Amps @ 120 Volts


* Driving Method : Direct


* Two 110 volt and two 220 volt outlets

Engine specifications:



* Type : 4-Stroke, OHV, Air Cooled


* Rated Horsepower : 12HP @ 3,600 rpm


* Bore x Stroke : 66mm x 50mm


* Displacement : 357cc / 12HP


* Cooling : Forced Air


* Lubrication : Wet Sump


* Oil Capacity : 0.63 qt


* Starting Method : Recoil


* Ignition System : Transistor Controlled


* Fuel Tank Capacity : 5.5 gal (20.8 Litres)


* Recommended Fuel : Unleaded Regular


* Continuous Operating Hours : 11.3


* Dry Weight : 185 lb (84kgs)


* Noise Level
@ 25 ft : 73.5 dBA


* Package size: 27 in.L x 21 in.W x 22.5 in.H
.

Professional grade tools and equipment at everyday low discount prices.
Visit us at http://www.xgpower.com or call 908-534-2117.

Emergency Generators

The disruption of power for substantial lengths of time can occur at any time due to hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, snowfall and other natural calamities. Having emergency backup power in such situations is not only essential for hospitals and commercial establishments but also in homes to run critical appliances like lights, refrigerators, heaters and medical equipment.

There are basically two types of generators that can be used in an emergency: portable and permanent standby generators. The main difference between the two is their output power and price.

In times of emergencies, portable generators provide the most economical way of supplying back up power. Appliances are directly plugged into the generator using the recommended extension cord or alternatively are connected to the home wiring system using a transfer switch.

The generators come with an electric start or a pull start and loaded with many other features including the GFCI receptacles. Emergency Generators
Electric generators > Emergency Generators

Free Xtreme Electric Scooters from A1 Electric Scooters

In response to tremendous increase in use of electric scooters to reduce transportation costs, reduce air and noise pollution and at same time provide an extremely enjoyable means of transportation, A1 Electric Scooters is offering a huge sale. People are always surprised at how much money is saved in the run of a year, especially if you commute a short distance to work; go frequently to the corner store, mail box, pool, or visit nearby friends. Children enjoy the independence of riding themselves to play with friends, to the ball field, and to run errands. Owners of Scooter owners can easily save $1,000 per year.....and pay for the scooter in months. A1 Electric Scooters is proud to announce a blowout end of summer sale.The hottest scooter product this year is available with special prices and terms for a limited time:The Xtreme X360 36-Volts, 350-Watt Electric Scooters with three batteries, keys for ignition and trunk unlike the competition, normally sold for $279.

We are giving...

Free Xtreme Electric Scooters from A1 Electric Scooters
Electric generators > Free Xtreme Electric Scooters from A1 Electric Scooters

Buying Used Electric Wheelchairs

Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making wheelchair users seek heaper alternatives like used electric wheelchairs. Secondhand electric wheelchairs are no doubt heaper than new ones but a lot of care should be taken when buying a used electric wheelchair.

Sources of used electric wheelchairs are primarily relatives, friends, and local support groups. Information about used electric wheelchairs is also available in advertisements on bulletin boards, newsletters, Web sites, at local hospitals and rehabilitation centers, or local disability organizations. Information for finding used wheelchairs can also be found in newspaper classifieds or in pawnshops.

It is wise to also solicit advice from a therapist or physician before buying a used electric wheelchair.

Private health insurance and state vocational rehabilitation centers sometimes cover the cost of used electric wheelchairs. The Technical Assistance Project (TAP), supported...

Buying Used Electric Wheelchairs
Electric generators > Buying Used Electric Wheelchairs

Who Killed the Electric Car Is No Mystery To EV World

Omaha, Ne (ContentDesk) June 26, 2006 -- When California filmmaker Chris Paine debuts his Sony-released documentary this week, movie goers will be plunged into the dark heart of a technological murder mystery, Who Killed the Electric Car?
The suspects are legion, from carmakers to oil companies to an apathetic public.
But who killed the electric car isn't a mystery for Bill Moore, the founder and publisher of EV World (www.evworld.com), an online, Web weekly that has been tracking the life, death... and anticipated "resurrection"... of the modern electric car or "EV"."It was a two-page advertisement
for an electric bicycle -- I don't even remember the brand -- in Business Week magazine the summer of 1997 that alerted me to the advent of the California Zero Emission mandate then set to take effect January 1998, the same month I launched EV World. The ZEV mandate, as it was known, required Who Killed the Electric Car Is No Mystery To EV World
Electric generators > Who Killed the Electric Car Is No Mystery To EV World

Electric Generators

Electric generators are used to supply power to homes, commercial and industrial establishments when there is a disruption of power. It is also used in places where there is no supply of electricity. Electric generators come in a wide variety of models, size, and prices. Choosing the right electric generator depends upon an individual's need. A homeowner first has to identify the appliances to be powered by the generator.

The total wattage required to run these appliances has to be added up, including the starting wattage requirement of some of the appliances such as refrigerators. This makes up the total wattage power required from the generator. Lights and other smaller appliances require 120 volts of power, whereas appliances like electric stoves and driers require 240 volts. It should be checked whether the generators have the necessary voltage ratings.

There are few features that have to be considered before buying an electric generator. First, make sure to check...

Electric Generators
Electric generators > Electric Generators

World Leaders Bring Back Electric Cars


The fate of electric cars seems to be sparking still and not completely gone. This is primarily because soon enough, electric cars would again be on the streets and roads. Well, not exactly for every day use and for ownership, but at least, they would be used by world leaders of leading industrialized countries and democracies. Maybe there is hope, after all.

These leaders would include those who lead countries like the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, as well as Italy.

They would be using the electric cars during the G8 Summit. This summit would be held this summer, July 15th to the 17th in St. Petersburg, Russia. GEM electric vehicles would be the ones to be used by these country leaders. And in part of such a big event, the government of Russia under the supervision of their president, Vladimir Putin, took part of the budget to purchase thirty GEM electric vehicles which could take in four passengers inside its cabin ?...

World Leaders Bring Back Electric Cars
Electric generators > World Leaders Bring Back Electric Cars

The Advantages of Official Microsoft and Cisco Certification Training Courses

Lots of aspirants in design and network management channel all their efforts in order to obtain highly recognized certifications such as MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer) and MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator). These world-recognized certifications are much desired, as they can easily make the difference between a prosperous, lucrative career in designand an average, low-rewarding job as a programmer. Most people would do anything to obtain such world-recognized certifications...

Electric generators The Advantages of Official Microsoft and Cisco Certification Training Courses potty training Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs Electric generators The Advantages of Official Microsoft and Cisco Certification Training Courses potty training Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs
Electric generators > The Advantages of Official Microsoft and Cisco Certification Training Courses

Best-selling Cleveland Authors Hope to Make a Splash on Broadway

January 17, 2005 -- Daytime television guru's John and Danita Thomas turned their Kid Concoctions book series into an international phenomenon, now they are planning to take on the Great White Way as two of the producers of the new Broadway musical "Little Women". Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott "Little Women" stars Tony award winner Sutton Foster and recording artist Maureen McGovern.From a best-selling book series to cereal boxes, kid's meals, amusement park attractions, and...

Electric generators Electric generators
Electric generators > Best-selling Cleveland Authors Hope to Make a Splash on Broadway

Noni Fruit Benefits

In the last ten years, some marketers have come under fire for ascribing miraculous cure-all properties to noni fruit, claiming that it can single-handedly prevent, treat, or cure everything imaginable, including arthritis, burns, cancer, cold, diabetes, drug addiction, fever, fractures, gingivitis, headaches, heart disease, immune weakness, indigestion, malaria, menstrual cramps, ringworm, sprains, stroke, and wounds.

To separate fact from fiction, noni fruit is not a cure-all...

Electric generators Noni Fruit Benefits Electric generators Noni Fruit Benefits
Electric generators > Noni Fruit Benefits

Electric generators online degree Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs Electric generators online degree Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs

Electric generators online degree Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs Electric generators online degree Electric Generators: Understanding Your Power Needs

Flowers Online Business Blooming For Local Florists

(ContentDesk) August 3, 2006 -- The Internet has changed the face of business. In the United States alone, more than two-thirds of the population uses the Web regularly, and online revenues are growing nearly three times faster than traditional sales. The flower business is no exception. Flowers are already one of the most popular online shopping categories, and roughly 90% of florists in the U.S. and Canada have some type of Web site."Today, an e-commerce Web site is a necessity to do business...

Electric generators florist Electric generators florist
Electric generators > Flowers Online Business Blooming For Local Florists