An understanding of basic electrical terminology and meanings is important when trying to determine such things as particular generator suitability, extension cord size, length & suitability, home circuit/breaker or fuse size, etc.

A comparision to water piping is a good way to describe basic electrical terminology & meanings as far as volts & amperage is concerned. The meaning of watts is a little more complicated.

Volts can be compared to water pressure inside the water pipes. Amperage can be compared to the amount of flow or quantity of water one receives from a particular sized water pipe. Up the size of water pipe and keep the same pressure (voltage), and there will be a higher quantity of water coming out of the pipe (amperage). Cut down the size of water pipe but keep the same pressure and there will be a reduction in the amount of water received from the pipe.

Watt capability of a curcuit or generator is basically the work capability at a particular voltage output at a particular amperage output.

Watts can be converted to amperage (and vice versa), within reason, if the voltage and amperage output of a power source remains relatively constant.

Extension cords can act similar to a spray nozzle on a water hose, amperage wise, if the extension cord is too small and/or too long. In this case, the voltage will remain the same but the amperage output is greatly reduced, which also reduces the wattage (or work performing capability) of the entire circuit including the extension cord.

Although a 50ft cord and a 100ft cord may both be 14AWG sized, a thing called electrical resistance will cause more of an amperage reduction in the 100ft cord than in the 50ft cord (also reduces voltage output to a certain extent). Therefore, extension cord length is also important. Wire size must be increased in cords of longer lengths to keep the amperage output up to par.

Voltage supplied to a device can vary somewhat but any time amperage falls below the device requirements, the device will rapidly overheat causing internal damage and/or failure.    

Below is a typical chart showing amperage draw or extension cord amp rating with maximum length of cords & minimum gauge wire in the cords.

Ampere Rating - Volts - Total Ext Cord Length in Feet  -  Gauge

0 -6 amps              120v                 up to 25'                              18AWG

0-6 amps               120v                 25' - 50'                               16AWG

0-6  amps              120v                 50'-100'                               16AWG

0-6  amps              120v                100' -150'                             14AWG

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6-10 amps             120v                 up to 25'                              18AWG

6-10 amps             120v                  25'-50'                                16AWG

6-10 amps             120v                 50'-100'                               14AWG

6-10 amps             120v                100'-150'                              12AWG

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10-12 amps           120v                  up to 25'                              16AWG

10-12 amps           120v                   25'-50'                                16AWG

10-12 amps           120v                   50'-100'                              14AWG

10-12 amps           120v                  100'-150'                             12AWG

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12-16 amps           120v                  up to 25'                              14AWG

12-16 amps           120v                   25'-50'                                12AWG

12-16 amps           120v       Longer than 50 feet not recommended

Generator use for a particular task is determined by the voltage and amperage output capability of the generator. Every generator owner's manual should list the "peak power" and continous duty power output of that particular generator in watts and some will list each recepticle output in amps. Peak power is generally a power output the generator can supply for a very short time and continous duty power output is the amount of draw the generator is capable of for extended periods of time.This info is usually provided in watts so conversion of watts to amps help is given below.

Not all electrical appliances or equipment draw their peak amperage requirements constantly.  Appliances such as a refrigerator will draw it's peak amperage on start up but will reduce that amperage draw some after startup. Power tools & equipment will generally draw thier peak amperages under heavy load (some equipment will draw nearly their peak amperage on start up as well) and reduce the amperage draw when not under heavy load.

In the USA most AC electrical items on the lower end of the voltage scale is rated at 120 volts. A generator rated at 115 volts will safely run a motor, compressor, etc. that is rated at 120 volts.  The keyword here is "rated". This means the rated voltage is the nominal operating voltage of that item and the actual voltage supplied can range a few points below or above the rated voltage. While voltages in a certain range are important, amperage is either a savior or killer of electrical items. Electric motors supplied with lower than required amperage will burn up in short order. An extension cord that is too small or too long to adequately supply a motor with the required amperage (regardless of power supply amperage) will also burn up an electric motor.

To determine if a particular generator will adequately supply a particular appliance or power tool/equipment, first determine the peak draw in amps of the appliance, tool or equipment and then the normal operating draw. This info is normally on a tag located somewhere on the appliance, tool or equipment or in the owner's manual. Next consult the generator owner's manual and a watt to amps chart to determine if the amperage output capability of the generator is adequate enough to operate the appliance, tool or equipment. Output in watts at the output voltage determines the amperage capability of the generator if the amperage capability is not listed. To mathmatically find the amperage potential of a particular generator:  Watts = Volts times Amps or Watts divided by Volts = Amps

Amperage potential of some of the generators we offer is as follows: