Instructions for Selecting Appliances to Use with One PlugSM

How to use the Wattage Calculation Worksheet

The Wattage Calculation Worksheet should be completed before you use your One PlugSM program device. This will help you understand the load requirements you plan to use and ensure this requirement doesn’t exceed the capacity of your generator or the One Plug program device. Please print the worksheet and follow the directions below to determine which appliances you can use.

  1. Enter the maximum and continuous wattage output ratings for your generator in box A.
    NOTE: If the wattage for the generator exceeds the capacity of the device, write down the capacity of the One Plug program device in this box. Do not exceed the capacity of your One Plug device or the device will automatically shut off.
  2. From the Appliance Energy Guide, select the appliances you wish to operate and write them down in column B, along with the starting factor (column C) and running watts (column D).
  3. For each appliance you have selected, multiply the starting factor by the running watts to obtain the load watts. Enter figure in column E.
  4. Next, write down the wattage of all the lights you plan to use. Then list the total number for each of the different lights in box F. Multiply this by the wattage to get the load watts.
  5. Finally, add up all of the load wattages for each appliance and lights in column E and enter the total in box G. The number in box G represents the total amount of load you plan to run on your portable generator, which will also be fed through your One Plug device. Be sure that the total load in box G does not exceed the generator size/capacity of the device in box A.

How to Use the Appliance Energy Guide

The wattages on the Appliance Energy Guide are estimates. The estimated wattage required for your appliances can be easily calculated. For example:

1 kW = 1,000 watts
2 kW = 2,000 watts and so on

The formula for finding wattage is Volts x Amps = Watts (running). Always use the starting factor when calculating electrical load requirements for your generator. Select the appliances you want to operate and add the starting wattages together to determine if they can all be operated at the same time without exceeding the capacity of your generator and the One Plug program device.

NOTE: Individual circuit breakers on your breaker panel may control more than one appliance. Always determine which appliance loads are connected to specific breakers (switches). Also, disconnect or unplug any appliances connected to the circuit breaker switch that you don’t plan to use. This may help reduce the overall load associated with the circuit breaker switch in your panel.