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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.

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.

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 1040 990 903 576 607 498 451 361
438 350 1220 1155 1053 672 694 581 527 422
500 400 1390 1320 1203 770 868 665 602 482
625 500 1735 1650 1504 960 868 830 752 602

1) Formula used is A = (KVA x 1000) / (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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