Electricians! How much wattage would these items take up?

Question

If i was to use a generator when the power goes out, would it be able to power all of these items?

A refrigerator

A 34 inch TV

A Xbox 360

And a lamp with about a 100 watt bulb

P.S. the generator would probably be about a 5000 or 4000 watt generator

Answer 1

IOWs, if your power goes out, you want to be able to eat, watch TV, and play video games.

What's the light for?

Answer 2

A 4000 watt generator is equivalent to slightly more than 2 separate circuits in your house, so I think you'd be OK.

Answer 3

I work for plant hire company and we hire generators to power cabins and such like.

5000watts or 6kva is a smallish geny, i have always worked on that there is 800watts to 1 kva, so your geny of 5000watts should be plenty to power these objects, one thing though, the power that a generator puts out is not constant due to the engine fluctuation so unless you have a filter on the power side to level out the power fluctuations your TV a Xbox may suffer , just something to think about.

Answer 4

An Electrician (with a capitol "E") will tell you if you have to ask, do not do.

An electrician (with a small "e") will tell you what to do, and then run for cover when things go wrong.

As well as questioning your priorities, I must say that installing a generator (even a small one) should be done by a qualified, licensed Electrician. Without installing an automatic transfer switch, you may very well kill or injure a utility company worker, should your generator still be running when the power is restored.

Whatever you do, never listen to the sales clerk at the home center. He knows less than you, his job is to sell the generator.

Consult a qualified, licensed Electrical Contractor. He (or she) will be able to help you determine what size unit you need, and then will be able to provide a Code Compliant installation.

When using a portable generator during a power outage, open (turn off) the main breaker or main disconnect for your home. Only close the breaker AFTER you have shut down the generator.

One more thing; NEVER make a "suicide connector" by installing two male ends on an extension cord. I have heard more than one sales clerk recommend this as "the best" method of hooking up a portable generator.

Answer 5

Generator is more than enough to handle this.

Most appliances have the listed wattage on the label on products.