Are Generators Rated Like Shop Vacs

[Bruce Wrenn]

I own two identical generators, a TroyBilt, and a Power Boss. Both were built by Briggs and Stratton. Both are rated at 5500 watts, with a starting wattage 8500. Both have the output rated in either 120, or 240 volts. Now here is where the fun begins. Both use a 20 amp breaker on each leg of the output. 20 amps X 120 volts X 2 doesn't equil to 5500 watts. Neither does 20 amps X 240 volts. With 20 amp breakers, it seems to me that power output would be limited to 4800 watts. Anybody have an explaination of how one could get 8500 watts thru a 20 amp breaker at 240 volts. The reason I ask this is one has a "weak" breaker, and I'm considering up grading from the push buttons located on generator frame to a separate breaker box

[Wade Lippman]

The 20a breaker will take 40a for a brief time to allow large engines to start. If you try to pull 8500 for more than that, the generator will stall.

[Mike Cutler]

Bruce

It would have to be some type of a surge spec,with some "advertising license" added in.
I have a Generac 17,500watt, with a surge of 26,250 watts. The largest receptacle is a 240/50 amp. I guess there is a way to get 17,500 watt out of it with all of the varying outputs, but I never worried about it. I only intend to ever use the 50amp receptacle to power the house in an emergency.

[Monte Milanuk]

Same here... I have a Champion 3100 watt generator for my RV; I think the continuous rating is something like 2600 or 2800. Anything over that is take a chance of it tripping out. Even the more reputable Honda EU2000/2200 models are only rated at 1800/2000 watts continuous.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Bruce

It would have to be some type of a surge spec,with some "advertising license" added in.
I have a Generac 17,500watt, with a surge of 26,250 watts. The largest receptacle is a 240/50 amp. I guess there is a way to get 17,500 watt out of it with all of the varying outputs, but I never worried about it. I only intend to ever use the 50amp receptacle to power the house in an emergency.

Remember mine is rated for 5500 watts, with a surge of 6800 watts, even though breakers limit it to 4800 watts.