Ridge Kite

Running Watts vs Starting Watts: What They Mean for Generator Sizing

When you start shopping for a generator, the numbers on the spec sheet can feel like a foreign language. You see something like "5000 running watts, 6250 starting watts" and you wonder which number actually matters. The truth is both do, but they apply to different moments in time. Understanding the difference between running watts vs starting watts is the difference between a generator that handles your home or job site and one that trips its breaker the first time a motor