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PlugOut Power offers this information for estimating the emergency power needs of your home. Our list of appliances is not complete, nor can we know the specific watt rating for your appliances, but it covers most of the house appliances and gives a range of likely wattage values. If you need assistance, contact PlugOut Power or an electrician.

 

For emergency power capacity planning, first prioritize the appliances in your home for emergency use, then find out the wattage ratings for those appliances and total them up. Be sure to know the actual wattage of your appliances. Reselect appliances to fit the PlugOut and car.

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Wattages: Appliances can be grouped by low-medium-high-very high range. Note that motors [wash machines, pumps, power tools, etc.] have a startup power draw that is 4-6x the motor’s power rating. Lower power resistive heating appliances have a 2-3x surge rating. When judging max power needs, use the highest possible continuous power need, without the highest power appliance, then add the surge power for the highest power appliance. This should be less than the surge power capability of vehicle and PlugOut [whichever is lower]. The Plug-Out supports surge power up to 1.5x the PlugOut's rating. Inventory and sum your emergency power needs. Our numbers are approximate. You should find out your actual wattages.

Use limits: In addition to the power limits of the PlugOut, most Cars will also have a max surge power limit they can supply. Ex: Prius is about 3.6kw.  We do not recommend planning to use anywhere near the PlugOut or Car limit. Leave 25-50% headroom to accommodate surges and inaccurate power estimates.

Power Distribution: You will also want to understand the AC power distribution method. Look at our AC Power WIring Guide, and get a certified electrician to help you, to avoid costly errors. There are serious safety issues for yourself, the house, your car, your appliances, and emergency utility workmen. 

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Ad-Hoc: You can run extension cords from the Plug-Out into the home or camp/worksite and then more cords to the individual appliances. 

 

House Wiring:  You can attach to the house wiring in several ways:  via a generator socket or hard wiring, to a manual or automotic transfer switch, at a subpanel or to the main panel.   Again, if this process is not well understood by you, look at our AC Power WIring Guide, and get a certified electrician to help you to avoid costly errors.  

See the AC Power Wiring Guide for more information on Power Distribution and other questions.

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> PlugOut Load Wattage Worksheet.PDF <

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