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Generator Sizing Calculator

Get instant kVA recommendations for your UAE construction project. Our calculator accounts for motor starting currents, diversity factors, and high ambient temperature conditions.

Calculate Your Generator Size

UAE Construction Site Sizing Guide

Quick reference for typical generator requirements by construction project type in UAE climate conditions

🏠
Residential Construction
75 - 150 kVA
  • • Villa/apartment construction
  • • 20-50 workers typically
  • • Basic tools & lighting
  • • Small concrete mixers
  • • Site office facilities
🏢
Commercial Buildings
200 - 500 kVA
  • • Office towers, retail centers
  • • Concrete pumps & hoists
  • • Multiple floors, elevators
  • • HVAC systems during fit-out
  • • Enhanced safety systems
🏭
Industrial Projects
500 - 1500 kVA
  • • Factories, warehouses
  • • Heavy machinery installation
  • • Large motor starting currents
  • • Continuous operation requirements
  • • Specialized HVAC systems
🏗️
Infrastructure & Mega Projects
750+ kVA
  • • Bridges, highways, utilities
  • • Multiple tower cranes
  • • Parallel operation required
  • • 24/7 construction activities
  • • Redundancy requirements
🎪
Events & Temporary
50 - 300 kVA
  • • Exhibitions, conferences
  • • Silent operation required
  • • HVAC for large spaces
  • • Audio/visual systems
  • • Food service equipment
🛢️
Oil & Gas Facilities
300 - 2000+ kVA
  • • Refineries, petrochemical
  • • Hazardous area requirements
  • • Critical process continuity
  • • Explosion-proof equipment
  • • Redundant power systems
🏠
Residential Construction
75 - 150 kVA
  • • Villa/apartment construction
  • • 20-50 workers typically
  • • Basic tools & lighting
  • • Small concrete mixers
  • • Site office facilities
🏢
Commercial Buildings
200 - 500 kVA
  • • Office towers, retail centers
  • • Concrete pumps & hoists
  • • Multiple floors, elevators
  • • HVAC systems during fit-out
  • • Enhanced safety systems
🏭
Industrial Projects
500 - 1500 kVA
  • • Factories, warehouses
  • • Heavy machinery installation
  • • Large motor starting currents
  • • Continuous operation requirements
  • • Specialized HVAC systems
🏗️
Infrastructure & Mega Projects
750+ kVA
  • • Bridges, highways, utilities
  • • Multiple tower cranes
  • • Parallel operation required
  • • 24/7 construction activities
  • • Redundancy requirements
🎪
Events & Temporary
50 - 300 kVA
  • • Exhibitions, conferences
  • • Silent operation required
  • • HVAC for large spaces
  • • Audio/visual systems
  • • Food service equipment
🛢️
Oil & Gas Facilities
300 - 2000+ kVA
  • • Refineries, petrochemical
  • • Hazardous area requirements
  • • Critical process continuity
  • • Explosion-proof equipment
  • • Redundant power systems

Construction Equipment Power Requirements

Typical power consumption for common construction equipment used in UAE projects

🏗️ Tower Crane
Typical Size 6-12 ton
Power (kW) 45-85
Starting kVA 200-400
UAE Notes High starting current, frequent starts
🚛 Concrete Pump
Typical Size 60-80 m³/hr
Power (kW) 75-120
Starting kVA 150-250
UAE Notes Variable load, pump priming
🏢 Construction Hoist
Typical Size 1-2 ton capacity
Power (kW) 15-30
Starting kVA 75-150
UAE Notes Frequent start/stop cycles
🥄 Concrete Mixer
Typical Size 0.5-1.5 m³
Power (kW) 7-15
Starting kVA 25-45
UAE Notes Intermittent operation
🔨 Compactor
Typical Size Hand-held
Power (kW) 2-4
Starting kVA 8-15
UAE Notes Multiple units typically
⚡ Welding Machine
Typical Size 300-400A
Power (kW) 15-25
Starting kVA 15-25
UAE Notes Resistive load, power factor 1.0
❄️ Site Office HVAC
Typical Size 100 m² office
Power (kW) 15-25
Starting kVA 45-75
UAE Notes Essential in UAE climate
💡 General Lighting
Typical Size Per 100 m²
Power (kW) 3-5
Starting kVA 3-5
UAE Notes LED recommended for efficiency
🔧 Power Tools
Typical Size Various
Power (kW) 1-3 each
Starting kVA 1-3 each
UAE Notes Diversity factor applies
🚰 Water Pump
Typical Size Dewatering
Power (kW) 5-15
Starting kVA 15-45
UAE Notes May run continuously
Equipment Type Typical Size Power (kW) Starting kVA Notes for UAE
Tower Crane 6-12 ton 45-85 200-400 High starting current, frequent starts
Concrete Pump 60-80 m³/hr 75-120 150-250 Variable load, pump priming
Construction Hoist 1-2 ton capacity 15-30 75-150 Frequent start/stop cycles
Concrete Mixer 0.5-1.5 m³ 7-15 25-45 Intermittent operation
Compactor Hand-held 2-4 8-15 Multiple units typically
Welding Machine 300-400A 15-25 15-25 Resistive load, power factor 1.0
Site Office HVAC 100 m² office 15-25 45-75 Essential in UAE climate
General Lighting Per 100 m² 3-5 3-5 LED recommended for efficiency
Power Tools Various 1-3 each 1-3 each Diversity factor applies
Water Pump Dewatering 5-15 15-45 May run continuously

Step-by-Step Load Calculation Process

Professional methodology for accurate generator sizing in UAE conditions

Step 1: List All Connected Loads
Identify every electrical device, motor, lighting circuit, and equipment that will operate simultaneously
Step 2: Calculate Motor Starting Requirements
DOL starting: 3-4x motor rating | Star-Delta: 1.5-2x | VSD: 1.1-1.3x motor rating
Step 3: Apply Diversity Factor
Not all equipment runs simultaneously. Apply 0.7-0.8 diversity factor for typical construction sites
Step 4: UAE Climate Derating
Add 10-15% capacity for high ambient temperatures (up to 50°C+ in summer)
Step 5: Add Safety Margin
Include 20% safety margin for future loads, voltage regulation, and unexpected requirements
Step 6: Select Standard Generator Size
Choose next available standard generator size that meets or exceeds calculated requirements
1
List All Connected Loads
Identify every electrical device, motor, lighting circuit, and equipment that will operate simultaneously
2
Calculate Motor Starting Requirements
DOL starting: 3-4x motor rating | Star-Delta: 1.5-2x | VSD: 1.1-1.3x motor rating
3
Apply Diversity Factor
Not all equipment runs simultaneously. Apply 0.7-0.8 diversity factor for typical construction sites
4
UAE Climate Derating
Add 10-15% capacity for high ambient temperatures (up to 50°C+ in summer)
5
Add Safety Margin
Include 20% safety margin for future loads, voltage regulation, and unexpected requirements
6
Select Standard Generator Size
Choose next available standard generator size that meets or exceeds calculated requirements
🌡️
UAE Climate Considerations

UAE's extreme summer temperatures (45-50°C) significantly impact generator performance. Generators must be derated by 10-15% above 40°C ambient temperature. Our sizing calculations automatically include this derating factor to ensure reliable operation year-round.

Motor Starting Methods for UAE Conditions

Choose the right starting method to minimize generator capacity requirements and improve reliability

⚡ Direct On Line (DOL)
Starting Current 5-7x rated
Generator kVA Required 3-4x motor kW
Voltage Dip 15-25%
Best Applications Small motors (<15kW), simple applications
⭐ Star-Delta Starting
Starting Current 1.7-2.3x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.5-2x motor kW
Voltage Dip 8-12%
Best Applications Medium motors (15-75kW), pumps, fans
🔄 Soft Starter
Starting Current 2-4x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.3-1.8x motor kW
Voltage Dip 5-10%
Best Applications Sensitive applications, frequent starts
📊 Variable Speed Drive (VSD)
Starting Current 1.5x rated
Generator kVA Required 1.1-1.3x motor kW
Voltage Dip 2-5%
Best Applications Variable loads, energy efficiency required
Starting Method Starting Current Generator kVA Required Voltage Dip Best Applications
Direct On Line (DOL) 5-7x rated 3-4x motor kW 15-25% Small motors (<15kW), simple applications
Star-Delta Starting 1.7-2.3x rated 1.5-2x motor kW 8-12% Medium motors (15-75kW), pumps, fans
Soft Starter 2-4x rated 1.3-1.8x motor kW 5-10% Sensitive applications, frequent starts
Variable Speed Drive (VSD) 1.5x rated 1.1-1.3x motor kW 2-5% Variable loads, energy efficiency required
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When to Use Multiple Generators in Parallel

Parallel operation provides redundancy, load sharing, and staged capacity for large UAE projects

⚖️
Load Sharing
2-6 Units

Distribute load across multiple generators for better fuel efficiency and reduced wear on individual units

🔄
Redundancy
N+1 Config

Critical applications where power outage is not acceptable. One generator serves as backup for others

📈
Staged Capacity
Modular

Start with smaller capacity and add generators as project load requirements grow over time

🚚
Transport Limitations
>750 kVA

Large single generators may have transport restrictions. Multiple smaller units easier to mobilize

⚖️
Load Sharing
2-6 Units

Distribute load across multiple generators for better fuel efficiency and reduced wear on individual units

🔄
Redundancy
N+1 Config

Critical applications where power outage is not acceptable. One generator serves as backup for others

📈
Staged Capacity
Modular

Start with smaller capacity and add generators as project load requirements grow over time

🚚
Transport Limitations
>750 kVA

Large single generators may have transport restrictions. Multiple smaller units easier to mobilize

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