Briggs & Stratton 20kW Standby Generator System (Steel) (150A Service Disconnect + AC Shedding)

In regards to your question, proper sizing of the generator is crucial to the success of any generator installation and requires a good working knowledge of electricity and its characteristics, as well as the varying requirements of the electrical equipment comprising the load. A certified electrician needs to be consulted for proper sizing and installation of any generator. When analyzing the electrical load, consult the manufacturer’s nameplate on each major appliance or piece of equipment to determine its starting requirements in terms of amps and voltage which can be calculated to watts using Ohms Law (Amps x Volts = Watts). When choosing the generator output select a rating that is approximately 20 to 25% higher than the peak load (for example, if the load is about 8 kilowatts, select a 10 kW generator). A higher rated generator will operate comfortably at approximately 80% of its full capacity and will provide a margin of flexibility if the load increases in the future. Note: Applications that are commercial, all-electric homes, have heat pump systems or geothermal systems require special installation procedures and a certified electrician must be contacted to evaluate and install these types of systems.