What Is A Pure Sine Wave Generator?
A bargain basement priced portable generator is not a sine wave generator. It produces power that can run a refrigerator, freezer, electric stove, lights, etc. In other words, it provides adequate electricity for any electrical equipment – except for equipment classified as “sensitive electronics.”
Why, you might ask?
It is because these inexpensive generators also produce power that has from 10% to 15% THD (total harmonic distortion) – or more. This means that the top of the AC (alternating current) sine wave is chopped off – which actually changes the voltage applied to the electrical appliance. To put it another way, if one of these generators is putting out 120 volts AC, and has a high THD, the actual voltage applied could well be less than 100 volts AC.
Your refrigerator won’t see this as a problem – but, your computer will – so will your television or digital clock – or any electronic device that contains electronic circuit boards and semiconductors.
Sensitive electronics can only safely function on AC with less than 5% THD. That’s the limit agreed upon by the majority of the electronics world.
Therefore, there are 2 ways to supply safe electricity – to sensitive electronics.
- Purchase a line conditioner and a surge protector to work in conjunction with a low-priced portable generator. I don’t trust this approach because, if the line conditioner and / or the surge protector malfunctions, then the generator will be zapping your beloved computer or TV with very raw power – way above the acceptable THD range – most likely damaging them beyond repair.
- Purchase a slightly pricier generator – either an inverter generator – or, better yet, a pure sine wave generator. Problem solved.
Introducing the A-iPower SUA15000EC Pure Sine Wave Generator
With less than 5% THD, the SUA15000EC generator can satisfy the electrical needs of your entire house – including your computers, laptops, tablets, cell phone chargers, TVs, and all the other digital and sensitive electronic gadgets you have.
Rated for 15kW starting (surge) power and 12kW running (rated) power, this baby has a 680cc, 24 horsepower, twin cylinder, overhead valve, air cooled, 4-stroke engine that is a complete package to take care of your home or your business.
A fuel tank holding 8 gallons of regular, unleaded gasoline will provide electricity for 7 hours at 50% load – and 5 hours at 100% load – with an acceptable noise level of about 85 decibels.
Remember: These portable generators, with engines that run on gas, need to be outside in a well ventilated area – a safe distance from your house – with the exhaust vent facing AWAY from the house. Carbon monoxide fumes are deadly – don’t take any chances! It is a must to read all user instructions for any generator purchased. ‘Nuff said.
Additional features include:
- Electric start.
- Sine Wave Technology.
- Smart AVR – An automatic voltage regulator that minimizes voltage fluctuations – giving you stable, consistent power under load.
- Automatic low oil shut down – prevents possible damage if the oil level not at recommended levels.
- Well laid out control panel – containing covered, weather resistant outlets.
- Six outlets – There are two GFCI protected 120 volts AC, 20 amp outlets, one L5-30R twist lock 120 volts AC, 30 amp outlet, one L14-30R twist lock 120 volts AC 30 amp outlet, one 14-50R industrial grade 120/240 volts AC, 50 amp outlet, and one 12 volts DC, 8.3 amp adapter plug.
- Digital hour meter on the control panel – that monitors run time and tracking.
- Maintenance free 12 volt, 36 amp hours battery.
- Wheels – 4 of them for easier mobility – with wheel locks to keep the generator from moving when parked. Weighing in at almost 400 pounds, this generator has to have 4 good wheels to be able to move it around any place.
- Warranty – 2 years for residential and 1 year for commercial.
Customers Are Saying…
“Unit was well packed. It also had a nice tool bag, the oil, and a decent user manual. I turned the key and it cranked right up!”
“This generator came today completely enclosed in a wooden box and strapped to a pallet. The meticulous and painstaking measures they took to ship it to me gave me a very good first impression.”
“This is a really heavy generator. Not something I could throw up in the back of my truck. But, it does roll around very easily on the first caster wheels. One complaint I have is the dipstick handle should be longer to extend past the exhaust manifold. Right now, it is difficult to check the oil while the engine is hot without wearing oven gloves.”
“Impressive generator. It runs the entire house including the central air conditioners.”
“Everywhere I look on this generator I see everything is heavy duty.”
“Very good machine! Works perfectly for my needs.”
When It Comes To This Generator…
Nothing Could Be Finer – Not Even In Caroliner – In The Morning!
The A-iPower SUA15000EC Pure Sine Wave Generator is the answer for anyone who has to power most of the electrical gizmos in their house. If you have young’uns, you will definitely want to take a closer look at this amazing backup generator. So click it – and stick it – in your cart!
Be sure to check out the Generator Reviews page for a lot of great tips and tricks on generators. I bet there are a few points of interest I bring up on the reviews page that you haven’t even thought of. And, there are also a few other great generators featured there, too.
After you check out this top-notch machine, I’d like to hear what you have to say – so, leave a comment or email me.
Hi Jim – what an informative post about generators. I had no idea there was a difference in the types of generators. I knew nothing about THD and that you want this to be less than 5% for your electronics. It sounds like a pure sine wave generator is the way to go.
Thank you for this information.
Michele
Hi Michele,
Every generator has its very own bells and whistles. And, with each add-on, comes additional cost. But, along with that consideration, we must take into account the electronic devices we are trying to protect – and their value.
The SUA15000EC is a good portable answer to backup power. For a more permanent solution, you could look at some home standby generators like the Generac 7043 or the Briggs and Stratton 40396.
Jim
Where I live, we are continually having power interruptions, even though we live by the main airport. Still seems to happen a lot. I have been thinking about getting one of these, but still keeping my expense downs.
This power generator sounds perfect for what I need. I notice in your generator review it won’t support the sensitive electronics. Which one would you suggest to cover everything?
Hi Jagi,
The SUA15000EC does indeed support sensitive electronics very well. There is no need for adding line conditioners and / or surge protectors for this generator like you would have to do with the DuroMax XP12000EH generator.
So, if you want to protect your computers, laptops, TVs, etc., with a portable generator, this would be your best bet.
Jim
My husband and I have just finished building a little wooden house on our roof terrace.
Unfortunately we cannot install any electric equipment. It would be too costly and I wanted to have a TV, a little fridge, and couple of other things in it.
I did not think it was possible but now that you mentioned this generator I see it as a fantastic idea.
Thank you
Hi Barbara,
If this is on your roof, I think it would be much less costly to keep a long, high amperage extension cord for connecting your little wooden house to the main house electricity.
It would even be less costly – in the long run – to have it professionally wired by a certified electrician.
These generators are designed as power backups. They are only supposed to be running long enough to supply emergency power until the main electricity is back on again.
Jim
I live in a country where a power shortage is the order of the day. So it would be very nice to have a good generator. Especially, one that can run the whole house without a glitch.
Since I am at home all the time working for my online business, I need back up power whenever there is a blackout. And, I can tell you that, for me, a blackout is a daily occurrence.
So the best thing for me is to be ready and this generator looks like it would be just what I need.
Hi Charles,
If you have power outages every day – and, are working at home – probably on your computer – then having a generator like this SUA15000EC should be a no-brainer.
It will certainly satisfy all your backup power needs!
Jim
Hello Jim,
I have enjoyed reading your product review. When bad weather hits my city, this sometimes causes an electrical outage in my neighborhood, and we may not have any electricity for hours, or even a day.
We have a neighbor across the street who owns a backup generator, and they have electricity in their house. I know it costs a lot but, I plan to purchase one as soon I can.
Thanks again for the share!
Hi Ahmad,
A wise choice. If cost is an issue then you may want to downscale your needs and maybe take a look at the DuroMax XP10000EH. It’s less than half the price of the SUA15000EC.
Good luck finding the generator to fit your needs!
Jim
This backup generator is a magnificent design. It has a lot more power than other generators that I have researched.
I like the fact that it has a starting (surge) capacity of 15 kW. That way, I can ensure that it can handle not only my computers and TV but also my refrigerator and freezer.
I guess that is why it shows up as a number one preference by many who review it.
It is a really outstanding generator – far ahead of other comparable models.
There are also quite a few other options you can find on the Generator Reviews page, too!
Jim
Interesting read, I wasn’t aware that different power sources could cause permanent damage to devices like laptops.
What about when it comes to repairing the generator if it were to ever break down, are they expensive to fix?
Pure Sine Wave definitely seems like the best choice after reading this. Thanks for writing a very informative article.
Hi Jack,
Low end backup generators just can’t deliver the smooth sine wave needed for sensitive electronics. They are only designed to run the basics – like refrigerators, freezers, central AC, lights, etc. That’s why additional line conditioners and / or power surge protectors are necessary to be used if you have a computer or TV that needs to be powered.
As far as the expense to fix a backup generator, it all depends on what breaks. Repair costs can be as low as $50 – or as high as $600. The higher costs are usually associated with repairing high end home standby generators.
One failure is that the residual magnetism of the generator coils is lost and the generator cannot produce electricity. This condition will occur if the generator continues to operate as it runs out of gas. For a short time, they keep putting out power and, the home’s electrical load will actually suck the magnetic field out of the generator’s coils. If this occurs – once the generator is gassed up and restarted, it will run fine – but, it won’t generate electricity. In essence, the generator is dead.
The SUA15000EC is a good, solid pure sine wave backup generator that can take a lot of abuse and still “keep on ticking.”
Jim
We have been looking for a standby generator for our home so your article was very timely.
However, the pure sine wave generator, although the best, is too much for our needs. We only have 2 or 3 power outages a year and they typically last less than a day. Please explain why a surge protector for our electronics would not be sufficient, why a line conditioner is also needed.
Also where I can find the % of THD for less expensive generators? Are they required to provide this information? Your review of other generators was very helpful. I especially liked your analysis of what wattage is needed for different appliances and the total tabulation. I used your chart and determined that for us, a retired couple, the Briggs and Stratton 40396 model would do the job. Thank you for your detailed instructions on how to select a standby generator.
Hi Carlos,
If you’re looking for a standby generator – like the Generac 7043 or the Briggs and Stratton 40396 – you’ll also be looking at quite a bit more cost. Especially, when you add in the cost of installation. The Generator Reviews page gives you a much better idea about installation.
You don’t absolutely have to have both a line conditioner and surge protector. If you have to choose one or the other, my recommendation is to go with the line conditioner. It’s a little more expensive but, it does a better job smoothing out the sine waves on spikes and can better protect your equipment in a lightning storm.
Personally, along with my line conditioner, I also use a surge protector for added protection – in case the line conditioner gets fried doing its job. The surge protector doesn’t cost much more than a standard power strip and it is my backup line protection.
As explained in the article above, cheaper backup generators have a total harmonic distortion of between 10% and 15% – which is a bit too much for sensitive electronics. Whether or not a generator is safe for sensitive electronics is explained in the generator’s user manual.
If you want to test the % THD yourself, you’ll need to use a good signal analyzer – which will cost you about $400 minimum – with the better ones approaching about $5,000.
Jim