Definitions
Term
Definition
Intermittent Power
The highest output obtainable at SAE standard ambient conditions. These levels may be only maintained for operating periods of short duration
Standby Power
The electrical output of a generator set used for emergency or backup power, for use when normal powerline utilities fail. Usually runs less than 60 hours per year.
Continuous Power
The output which can be obtained at SAE standard ambient conditions, operating in a continuous duty mode. The electrical load on the generator set will usually be steady.
Prime Power
The electrical output of a generator set used as the primary source of power, often running 24 hours a day. The electrical load usually varies.
pf ' Power Factor
- Three phase circuits will usually assume a 'power factor' (p.f.) of 0.8 lagging.
- The concept of power factor can get a bit confusing but basically it refers to the out-of-phase relationship between the voltage and the current in an electrical system.
- If actual data are not available, a p.f. of 0.8 is assumed and the power is shown in kiloVolt/Amperes (kVA).
- There is a direct relationship between the voltage (V), the current (A), and the power in kW or in kVA.
- The assumption of a 0.8 lagging power factor for three phase circuits is not necessarily a safe assumption. This may be 'typical', if typical exists, of inductive reactance loads such as motors. However, many three phase circuits now incorporate non-linear loads such as variable frequency drives that require special attention to correctly size the generator to the load characteristics. Similarly, assuming a 1.0 (unity) power factor for single phase circuits may not always be correct.
kW ' kilowatts
kW, kilowatts, or sometimes kWm, kilowatts mechanical, refers to the power output from an engine driving a generator set or, in other words, the mechanical power driving the generator.
Link to YuchaiHI
To avoid confusion, the electrical output from the generator is often referred to as kWe (or ekW) which is the actual generator output after efficiency losses within the generator. Electrical power is usually measured in Watts (W) or thousands of Watts (kilowatts, kWe). kWe is sometimes referred to as 'real power' while kVA (kilovolt-amperes) is apparent power.
For single phase circuits the relationship is: Amperes x Volts ÷ 1,000 = kW.
For three phase circuits: Volts x 1.73 x Amperes ÷ 1,000 = kVA
If you know the electrical load in Amps and you know the system voltage, you can find the required kilowatts or kVA from the chart. Similarly, the system's current can easily be found if you know the kWe and voltage.
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Sizing a Generator Set
Before attempting to size a generator set, gather as much detail about the actual operating conditions and loads as possible. Sometimes a custom-built generator set'sized for the specific requirements'can easily pay for its cost in fuel savings, especially where motor starting is a primary consideration.
The following charts are handy guides to find the current (amperes) or kilowatts in an electrical system.
Generator Ratings in Amperes for 3 Phase Outputs at 0.8 Power Factor
KVA
KWe
208V
220V
240V
380V
416V
440V
480V
600V
6.3
5
17.5
16.5
15.2
9.6
8.6
8.3
7.6
6.1
9.4
7.5
26.1
24.7
22.6
14.3
13
12.3
11.3
9.1
12.5
10
34.7
33
30.1
19.2
17.3
16.6
15.1
12
18.7
15
52
49.5
45
28.8
26
24.9
22.5
18
25
20
69.5
66
60.2
38.4
43.7
33.2
30.1
24.1
31.3
25
87
82.5
75.5
48
52
41.5
37.8
30.2
37.5
30
104
99
90.3
57.6
62.5
49.8
45.2
36.1
43.8
35
125
118
108
68
70
59
54
42.2
50
40
139
131
120
76
78
66
60
48
56.3
45
156
147
135
86
86
74
68
54
62.5
50
173
165
152
96
104
83
76
60
75
60
208
198
181
115
130
99.6
91
72
93.8
75
261
247
226
143
139
123
113
90
100
80
278
264
240
154
173
133
120
96
125
100
347
330
301
192
217
166
150
120
156
125
433
413
375
240
260
208
188
150
187
150
520
495
450
288
304
249
225
180
219
175
608
577
527
335
347
289
264
211
250
200
694
660
601
384
434
332
301
241
312
250
866
825
751
480
521
415
376
301
375
300
990
903
576
607
498
451
361
438
350
672
694
581
527
422
500
400
770
868
665
602
482
625
500
960
868
830
752
602
1) Formula used is A = (KVA x ) / (1.73 x Volts)
2) Current ratings are 'linear'. For example, a 750 KVa (600 kWe at 0.8 Power Factor) at 480V produces 902 amps, or double the what is shown in the table for 375 kVa
*NEMA Starting Codes for Three Phase Motors KVA / HP Required for Locked Rotor Starting
Code
Starting KVA /HP
§
Typical Motor Size
A
0 ' 3.15
(Special)
B
3.15 ' 3.55
(Special)
C
3.55 ' 4.0
(Special)
D
4.0 ' 4.5
(Special)
E
4.5 ' 5.0
(Special)
F
5.0 ' 5.6
15 H.P. +
G
5.6 ' 6.3
10 H.P.
H
6.3 ' 7.1
5 & 7.5 H.P.
J
7.1 ' 8.0
3 H.P.
K
8.0 ' 9.0
1.5 & 2 H.P.
L
9.0 ' 10.0
1 H.P.
M
10.0 ' 11.2
< 1 H.P.
* Starting code letter can be found on Motor Name Plate Data. DO NOT confuse 'design code' with 'starting code'.
§ For generator sizing use the higher inrush value. Consult the generator set manufacturer for voltage dip information and for generator current output capability.
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