Lotus Equipment Sales Ltd.
120, 5726 Burleigh Cr. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2H 1Z8
Phone: (403)253-0822   1-800-661-0002
Fax: (403)253-8684   1-800-661-0007
Email: donnas@lotus-equip.com

 

 

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Typical Electrical Appliance Wattage's
1 kW = 1000 watts

Volts x Amps = Watts
Example: Appliance nameplate states 10 amps at 120 volts. 10 amps x 120 volts = 1200 watts

Application / Equipment Running/Rated 
Watts
Starting/Surge 
Watts
Light Bulb (100w) 100 100
Radio AM/FM 50-200 50-200
Radio, CB 50 50
Fan 200 600
Television 300-400 300-400
Microwave Oven 700 1000
Air Conditioner (12,000 BTU) 3250 5000
Furnace Fan (1/3 hp blower motor) 600 1800
Vacuum cleaner 600 750
Sump pump (1/3 hp) 700 2100
Refrigerator/freezer 800 2400
Deep Freezer 500 1500
Circular saw 1000-2500 2300-4600
Circular saw 6" 800 1000
Floodlight 1000 1000
Drill 1/2" Electric 1000 1250
Toaster 1200 1200
Coffee maker 1200 1200
Skillet 1200 1200
Chain saw 14" Electric 1200 1500
Water well pump (1/2 hp) 1000 3000
Hot plate/range (per burner) 1500 1500
Table saw 10" 2000 6000
Water heater (storage type) 5000 5000
12V DC Battery Charger 120 120
Electric Motor Wattage Usage
Electric motors require up to three times their rated wattage to start.
Example: an electric motor name plate states 5 amps at 120 volts, 5 amps x 120 volts = 600 watts.
Multiply this by 3. This will show the starting watts needed. 600 watts x 3 = 1800 watts to start.
Some motor name plates will show starting watts higher in some case 9 times higher, check the name plate.

Approximate Starting Watts * 

Motor 
HP 
Rating
Approximate
Running
Watts
Universal 
Motors 
(small appliances)
1/8 275 400
1/4 400 500
1/3 450 600
1/2 600 750
3/4 850 1000
1 1000 1250
1-1/2 1600 1750
2 2000 2350
3 3000 x
* = Always use starting watts, not running watts, when figuring correct electrical load