Power factor correction when using generators

billy_bulldog

We will be using a candyfloss machine (rated at 1700W on a 230V domestic AC supply) and need to power it with a petrol generator for an outside event.

I am told that 1kVA does not necessarily equal 100W, but it depends upon whether the device you want to run has a higher starting power consumption than its running consumption. Can anyone help explain this in laymans terms? What size generator would we need to hire?

espresso

billy_bulldog wrote:

We will be using a candyfloss machine (rated at 1700W on a 230V domestic AC supply) and need to power it with a petrol generator for an outside event.

I am told that 1kVA does not necessarily equal 100W, but it depends upon whether the device you want to run has a higher starting power consumption than its running consumption. Can anyone help explain this in laymans terms? What size generator would we need to hire?

1kVA is another way of saying 1000 Volt Amps or 1000 Watts as Watts = Volts x Amps

If your machine is rated at 1700W, then you will need a 230V petrol generator with an output greater than this i.e. 2kVA or 2000W. You should not need to worry about power factor correction or start up surge.