This is a common but often misunderstood problem: You buy a powerful three-phase generator only to find it keeps tripping or overloading when powering your regular home appliances, even though the total power demand is well within the generator's kVA rating.

The core issue isn't the total size of your generator; it's how the power is distributed versus how your home consumes it.

The Key Difference: Current Per Wire

Generators are rated in kVA (kilo-Volt-Amperes, or apparent power). This rating is the total power the machine can deliver.

Generator Type	Power Delivery Method	Maximum Current Per Wire
Single-Phase	All kVA is delivered through one main circuit/wire.	The wire is sized to handle the full current equivalent of the total kVA.
Three-Phase	The kVA is split and delivered through three separate circuits/wires (phases).	Each wire (phase) is only sized to handle the current equivalent of approx 1/3 of the total kVA.

The Problem in Simple Terms

A 10 kVA single-phase generator is built to put all 10 kVA on one output. A 10 kVA three-phase generator is built to put 3.33 kVA on each of its three outputs.

If you connect the three-phase generator to your home and only a few circuits are running, they will likely be concentrated on just one or two of those three phases. When your microwave and water pump turn on simultaneously on Phase 1, that phase might draw 5 kVA of power.

The generator sees a total load of only 5 kVA (well under its 10 kVA limit).

BUT, the internal components for Phase 1 are only rated for 3.33 kVA.

Result: The generator trips the breaker on Phase 1 to prevent overheating, shutting down the whole system due to overcurrent on a single phase.

The Solution: Achieving Load Balance

To successfully run a three-phase generator on single-phase appliances, you must meticulously balance the electrical loads across all three phases (L1, L2, L3).

This means:

Auditing Loads: Identifying all your critical circuits (refrigerator, water pump, stove, lighting, etc.) and their power consumption.

Strategic Wiring: Ensuring the high-draw appliances are strategically wired and distributed so that the current draw on L1, L2, and L3 is always as close to equal as possible.

Managing Surges: Accounting for the high starting current (surge) of motor-driven loads (like pumps and air conditioners) and making sure that the surge of one appliance doesn't push its connected phase over the limit.

Don't Deal With the Headache

Getting the wiring and load calculations correct to avoid overloading a phase is a highly technical task that requires specific knowledge of generator physics, electrical codes, and your home's unique layout. It is often much simpler and safer to design a robust backup power system from the start.

If this sounds like too much complexity, let us handle the design and installation. We specialize in creating custom backup power solutions that match your home's needs perfectly, whether that means a correctly sized single-phase generator or a flawlessly balanced three-phase system.

📞 Contact Us Today for a Hassle-Free Solution!

Licensed Electricians, We'll design a reliable backup power system so you can focus on what matters.