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A generator’s measurement units are the following:

•  VOLT (V) measures the electro-motor force and difference in potential; it represents the tension that, applied to the resistance of 1 Ohm, circulates the 1 amp current developing the power of a Watt;
• AMP (A) measures the intensity of the electricity current;
• WATT (W) unit of measurement of electricity, equal to 1 Joule per second (1Kw=1000 Watt);
• VOLTAMP (VA) unit of measurement of the apparent current of an alternate current equal to 1 Volt multiplied by 1 amp (1 kVa = 1000 VA);
• COSFI' (or power factor) constant through which it is possible to convert the VA in Watts equal to 0.8 in a three-phase current and at 0.9 in a monophasic current; this means that a 1 kVa, three-phase generator supplies 0.8 Kw and a 1 kVa, monophasic one supplies 0.9 Kw.

All of this is important in relation to the charge (or rather the power absorbed by an electrical machine) and can be divided like this:

• Resistive
•  Inductive.

A resistive charge is, for example, an electric heater, an iron, a tin welder... an oven (kitchen or industrial).

An inductive charge is that of a hairdryer, a tool such as a drill or whisk, an electric engine in general.

While the resistive charge is more or less equal to the continual power supplied by the generator, meaning that a 1000 Watt heater can be supplied by a 1000 watt generator, in the inductive charge this may require double the power.

This is due to the fact that an electric engine generates a peak of current as soon as it is turned on called acceleration, which is often double the effective regime consumption.

While deciding which generator to buy, you should think about what it is needed for, and which tools will be needed for example: an electro compressor whose engine absorbs 1.5 kW will need a generator that supplies at least 3.3 kW of maximum power.