User Manual
Westinghouse Portable Power | 13
POWER OUTPUT AND DEMAND
It is recommended that the generator should always be operated with at least one-third of its rated 120-Volt AC power
output. 120-Volt AC devices have two dierent electric power demands that must be taken into consideration, namely
the running power and the starting/peak power. Both are measured in Watts (typically abbreviated as “W”).
The steady state continuous load is the running power demand and this is often marked on the device near its model
number or serial number. Sometimes the device might only be marked with its voltage (i.e. 120 V) and current draw (e.g.
20 Amp or 20 A), in which case the running power demand in Watts can be obtained by multiplying the voltage times the
current, e.g. 120V × 20 A = 2,400 W.
Simple resistive 120-Volt AC devices such as incandescent bulbs, toasters, heaters, etc. have no extra power demand
when starting, and so their starting power demands are the same as their running power demands.
More complex 120-Volt AC devices containing inductive or capacitive elements such as electric motors have a
momentary extra power demand when starting, which can be up to seven times the running power demand or more.
Manufacturers of such devices rarely publish this starting power demand and so it’s often necessary to estimate it. A
rule of thumb for devices tted with an electric motor is to apply a starting power multiplier of 1.2 for small hand-held or
portable devices and a value of 3.5 for larger stationary devices. For example, a 900 W angle grinder can be assumed to
have a starting power demand of at least 1.2 × 900 W, which equals 1,080 W. Similarly, a 1,650 W air compressor can be
assumed to have a starting power demand of at least 3.5 × 1,650 W, which equals 5,775 W.
To prevent overloading of the generator’s 120-Volt AC system:
1. Add up the running power demand of all the 120-Volt AC devices that will be connected to the generator at one time.
This total must not be greater than the generator’s specied running power output.
2. Add up the running power demand again, but for the largest motor-driven device use the value of its starting power
demand instead of its running power demand. This total must not be greater than the generator’s specied starting
power output.
3. The total running power demand of all the devices that will be connected to any one of the generator’s outlets must
not exceed the generator’s specied running power output.
TRANSPORTING THE GENERATOR
The generator should be stopped and both the fuel control switch and fuel cap should be tight be-
fore transporting the generator. Keep the unit level during transport to minimize the possibility of fuel
leakage or, if possible, drain out the fuel prior to transport.
If the generator has been operating, allow the unit to cool down before loading it onto the transport
vehicle.
Use only the generator’s xed frame for lifting the unit or attaching any load restraints such as ropes
or tie-down straps. Do not attempt to lift or secure the generator by holding onto any of its other
components.
OPERATION