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How to Choose the Right Generator Capacity for Your Project

A practical guide to sizing a generator in KVA — covering running load, starting surge and safety margin.

ASAnil SharmaChief Engineer 10 May 2025 1 min read

Choosing the right generator capacity is the single most important decision when renting power. Undersize it and equipment trips; oversize it and you waste fuel.

Start by adding the running wattage of all equipment, account for the starting (surge) load of motors, then add a 20–25% safety margin.

As a rough guide: small shops need 15–25 KVA, construction sites 50–250 KVA, and factories, hospitals and data centers often 500 KVA and above. Jayco Power sizes it precisely after a quick load assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many KVA do I need for a 5 HP motor?

A 5 HP motor needs roughly 4–7 KVA accounting for starting surge. Always size the generator for the total connected load plus margin.

AS

Written by

Anil Sharma

Chief Engineer, Jayco Power

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