6
Cooling air of sufficient amounts must be brought in
and exhausted out to ensure proper cooling of the
engineand generator.
DANGER Remember,exhaust fumesare
deadly carbon monoxide gas, and must be vented to
theoutside where there arenopeople.
LOAD APPLICATION
Itisimportanttodetermine the total electrical load
beforeitisconnected to thegenerator. Thetwo major
factorsin determining the lifeof a generator head are:
heat build up, caused by overloading the generator,
and corrosive contaminants that attack the wiring
insulation. If the generator is overloaded, the wires
become excessively hot and cause the insulation to
break down, reducing its ability to resist corrosive
contaminants. Over time the effectiveness of the
insulation iseliminatedand a dead short can result.
Always compare the generator nameplate data
with that of the equipment to be used to ensure that
watts, volts, amperage, and frequency requirements
are suitable for operating equipment. The wattage
listed on the equipment nameplate is its rated output.
However, some equipment may require three to ten
times more wattage than its rating on the nameplate,
as the wattage is influenced by the equipment
efficiency, power factor and starting system. NOTE: If
wattage is not given on equipment nameplate,
approximate wattage may be determined by
multiplying nameplate voltage by nameplate
amperage.
VOLTS X AMPS = WATTS
Example: 120V X 5A = 600W
When connecting a resistive load such as
incandescentlights, heatersor common electric power
tools, a capacity of up to the generator full rated
wattage outputcanbe used.
When connecting a resistive-inductive load such
as a fluorescent or mercury light, transformers or
inductive coils, a capacity of up to 0.6 times the
generator’sfull rated output can beused.
Always allow the generator to reach operating
speed before a loadisapplied.
STARTING ELECTRICMOTORS
Electric motors require much more current (amps)
to start than to run.
Some motors, particularly low cost split-phase
motors, are very hard to start and require 5 to 7 times
more currentto start than to run. Capacitor motorsare
easier to start andusually require2 to 4timesasmuch
current to start than to run. Repulsion Induction
motors are the easiest to start and require 1.5 to 2.5
timesasmuch to start than to run.
Most fractional motors take about the same
amount of current to run them whether they are of
Repulsion-Induction (RI), Capacitor (Cap), or Split-
Phase (SP) type.
The following chart shows the approximate
current required to start and run various types and
sizes of 120 volt 60 cycle electricmotorsunder various
conditions.
120V,60 HzMotors Starting Amps
Hp motor Running
Watts RI type Cap type SP type
1/6 525 7-11 9-18 16-22
1/4 700 9-15 12-23 22-32
1/3 875 11-18 14-29 26-35
1/2 1175 15-25 20-40 NA
11925 24-40 32-64 NA
1 1/2 2400 30-50 40-80 NA
22900 36-60 48-96 NA
3 4075 51-85 68-136 NA
56750 84-140 112-224 NA
The figures given above are for an average load
such as a blower or fan. If the electric motor is
connected to a hard starting load such as an air
compressor, it will require more starting current. If it is
connected to a light load or no load such as a power
saw, it will require less starting current. The exact
requirement will also vary with the brand or design of
themotor.
Generators respond to severe overloading
differently thanthe power line. When overloaded, the
engineisnotable tosupply enough power to bring the
electric motor up to operating speed. The generator
responds to the high initial starting current, but the
engine speed drops sharply. The overload may stall
theengine. If allowed to operate at very low speeds,
the electric motor starting winding will burn out in a
short time. The generator head windingmightalso be
damaged.
Running thegenerator underthese conditionsmay
resultin damage to the generator stator as well as the
electric motor windings. Because the heavy surge of
current is required for only an instant, the generator
will not be damaged if it can bring the motor up to
speed in a few seconds. If difficulties in starting a
motor are experienced, turn off all other electrical
loads and if possible reduce the load on the electric
motor.
EXTENSION CORDS
When electric power is to be provided to various
loads at some distance from the generator, extension
cords can be used. These cords should be sized to
allowfor distance in length and amperage so that the
voltage dropbetween the set and point of use is held
to a minimum.
