Power Requirement Calculator

Power Requirements Calculator Guidance

This calculator helps you estimate the total power needed for your site based on the selected appliances. Understanding your power requirements is essential to selecting the right generator and preventing overloads.

Important Note on Container Power Limits: Most hired containers are rated at 16 amps or 3.68 kVA, so a 4 kVA generator is typically sufficient, providing a small buffer. However, it’s crucial to manage your load carefully to avoid exceeding this limit.

Know Your Limits: Consider staggering the use of high-capacity appliances to prevent overloading. For instance, try not to operate multiple high-wattage appliances simultaneously, as this could push your power draw over the generator’s limit and lead to interruptions.

By accurately estimating and managing your power requirements, you can ensure safe and effective operation at your site.

Step 1: Calculate Power Requirement for Each Item

1. Determine kVA per item: Use the amperage (A) and convert it to kVA based on the standard 230V voltage. kVA = Amps×230 (Voltage) /1000
2. Adjust for quantity: Multiply the kVA for each item by the quantity in use.

The figures of appliances are a recommended average and will vary with Brand specific items

Step 2: Sum Up Total kVA for Selected Items

1. Add up all kVA values for the selected items to get the total kVA.
2. Apply a Load Factor: Generators should ideally run at 80-90% of their maximum load for efficiency and longevity. This means multiplying your total kVA by 1.1 to 1.25 for a buffer.

Step 3: Match the Total with Generator Sizes

Most generators are rated by their maximum kVA output. Choose a generator size that meets or slightly exceeds your total power needs, accounting for the load factor.