Generator - What Is The Real Power Rating

[Getanet]

Can someone help me understand the actual power output of the smaller, portable generators?  Most descriptions include Starting Watts and Running Watts.  For instance, a Generac with 2,200 Starting Watts and 1,700 Running Watts.  Does that mean the unit can really only support 1,700 Watts, and if so, how/why do they get to claim 2,200 Watts?  Then if you read reviews of some, often times people will say they overloaded and tripped the generator without even hitting the full running Watts.

 

This isn't about Generac. They all seem to have different Starting and Running Watt ratings.  Just need someone to explain this in a Generators for Dummies way that I can understand.

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by Getanet

[Pat K]

Most electric appliances and motors require a higher wattage short burst of power to start than the wattage they require to continue operating. The 2200watt generator can provide the short burst at 2200watts to start an appliance but can only provide 1700watts for continuous operation.

So in practical use it can only supply 1700watts to an appliance.

[rl_sd]

Yup.... ^^^^^^^ What Pat said. The generators have a surge rating and continuous rating. From my experience, if you think that you are "close" you are better off moving up to the next size. Running things like and RV AC with minimal voltage will cost you in the long run.

[Getanet]

Ah, that makes more sense. I thought the Starting Watts referred to the generator firing up at 2,000 Watts and then dropping down to its running Watts rating.

[delcecchi]

5 hours ago, Getanet said:

Ah, that makes more sense. I thought the Starting Watts referred to the generator firing up at 2,000 Watts and then dropping down to its running Watts rating.

Nope.   It can provide a higher amount for a short time but  would overheat or trip a breaker or something if it supplied the higher current for more than a short period of time.