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Generator Sizing Calculator

NFPA 110 · IEEE 446 · Standby & Emergency Power

When to use: Use when designing emergency power systems for buildings, data centers, hospitals, and critical facilities. NFPA 110 governs emergency and standby power systems. Key considerations are running load (kW), power factor (kVA), and motor starting kVA — which can be 6× the motor running current and must be accommodated without the generator stalling. Always size for the largest expected motor start.

PF:
Load Description
kW
Demand %
Motor HP
Recommended Generator
125
kW
156 kVA at PF 0.8
Running Load49.0 kW
Running kVA61.3 kVA
Motor Starting kVA45 kVA
Peak Starting kVA106 kVA
Safety Margin (25%)25%
Min Required kW61.3 kW
References
NFPA 110 — Emergency & standby power systems
IEEE 446 — Recommended practice for emergency power
Motor starting kVA ≈ 6× motor running kVA
Add 25% margin for standby, 10% for prime