Can you place a generator on your house with a partial load? Code says the generator must handle the load it is under. You can size your generator to the load that is necessary. If you have a 5000 sq ft house and place a 15 KW generator, you must decide what load you want placed on that generator You can runs lights and your refrigerator, or maybe lights and one central air conditioning unit. You can isolate the load to that generator.
When purchasing a whole house generator, you must consider the serge amperage that happens with motor load equipment. Motor load equipment would be your refrigerator, microwave, well pump, garbage disposal, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. A serge capacity is for 3 seconds. I have a generator that advertised handling 6500 watts. That generator does not carry a load up to 6500 watts. It carries a load of about 4500 watts and will serge up to 6500 watts for 3 seconds. When purchasing a generator, you must be aware of the surge capacity.
Let’s look at a propane verses natural gas generator. A propane generator is rated higher. An advertised 16 KW might actually run as a 14 KW if you want it in natural gas capacity. The manufacturers are trying to deceive you to see how low they can sell you a generator for your house. Some generators have come out with surge capacity of 175% for 3 seconds but it doesn’t bring up the capacity. It won’t make a difference on your running load. What is your house surge capacity?
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