If you are thinking about purchasing a backup generator for your home, it is important to understand how much power your home requires. Generally, the whole house is running on a backup generator during a power outage, so you need to choose the right size. A backup generator load calculator can help you find the proper generator for your home. The tool takes into account the square footage, outlets, and lighting requirements of your home to make a custom recommendation. You should also consider whether your appliances run on natural gas or electricity.
Square footage sizing method
The backup generator load calculator uses a square footage method to size your home. The generator size will be calculated based on your square footage and the number of outlets and lighting fixtures your home uses. This method assumes natural gas appliances, but you can include electric appliances in the baseline calculation.
This method is most common in commercial applications, such as restaurants, convenience stores, and retail shops. It works by dividing the square footage of the building into a number of equal square feet. Generally, this method produces a number that is one kilowatt per square foot. This method is also popular in industrial settings where three-phase power is necessary.
Peak load method
To calculate the amount of power your backup generator needs, it is useful to use the “peak load” method. The peak load is defined as the amount of power used at full load. It can be calculated with a clamp-on ammeter on each electrical service arm. Divide the total amps by two or three, depending on whether you are using single or three-phase electrical service. Multiply that number by the supply voltage, and you have the full load kilowatts that your generator needs.
Most utilities report energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh). To figure out the peak kW, divide the total kWH by the time interval. In most cases, peak kW represents the maximum kW over a 15-minute demand interval. The average kW value will be lower than the peak value.
For commercial and retail facilities, it is important to choose the correct load model. Single-phase power is appropriate for small retail businesses, while three-phase power is ideal for large industrial facilities. In addition to calculating the kilowatts needed for a specific load, it is also important to calculate the total amount of power your backup generator needs.
Average load method
When choosing a backup generator for your home, it is important to know how much power is needed. Many utilities report energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWH). By dividing kWH by time, you can estimate the average kW required. Keep in mind, however, that a reported peak demand is actually the average kW usage over a 15-minute demand interval.
The three programs agree on most parameters, with small variations likely related to their assumptions about certain categories of load. For example, you may have to adjust the motor locked rotor code or the cooling equipment EER, but these changes will have only a small effect on the final sizing. Remember, you should also include a reasonable safety margin for future expansion, replacement of equipment, and performance degradation over time.
In order to calculate the wattage of a backup generator, you must know how many electrical loads are being supported at any one time. Some backup power sources can accommodate the entire rated load in one step, but this can result in a high level of voltage transients, which can degrade the power quality of the connected loads.
Non-linear loads method
The non-linear load method is one of the methods used to calculate the load on backup generators. It uses a three-phase unbalanced load as the example. This load generates harmonics of order 6k. Using this method, you can find the optimum voltage for your backup generator.
There are two basic types of load: linear and non-linear. Linear loads include motors and transformers. Non-linear loads, on the other hand, are more complex. Such equipment introduces harmonics in the electrical system, reducing the life of transformers and motors. It can also cause sensitive electronic equipment to misoperate.
Non-linear loads are a growing portion of the overall electrical load profile. These loads can affect gen sets and loads, as well as cabling buses, circuit breakers, and protective relays.