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Starting vs Max vs Running Watts

Most motor-driven products that you will connect to your generator need extra watts when they start, this is known as starting watts.

The Starting Watts listed on your generator is the wattage the generator can output for an average of 6 seconds (Inverter) or 10 minutes (Open Frame Type).

Once this period is over, and if the wattage has not reduced the Overload Protection will activate and the generator will trip using the following methods circuit breaker (frame type) and flashing overload light (Inverter), if this happens the power (wattage) needs to reduced or disconnected immediately and the generator needs to be reset by stopping the generator and turning everything to the ‘OFF’ position and leaving for minimum 2 minutes (Inverter Only).

The Maximum Watts listed on your generator is the MAX watts output the generator can run at – however it is not recommended to run your generator at the  maximum watts for periods more than average 5 minutes (Inverter) and 60 minutes (Open Frame Type). Once this period is over, and if the wattage has not reduced the Overload Protection will activate and the generator will trip using the following methods circuit breaker (frame type) and flashing overload light (Inverter), if this happens the power (wattage) needs to reduced or disconnected immediately and the generator needs to be reset by stopping the generator and turning everything to the ‘OFF’ position and leaving for minimum 2 minutes. While working in the max zone on an Inverter you will have solid red overload light this is normal.