PowerLink Generator & Battery Sizing Toolkit
Five standard industry calculators engineers and buyers use to spec, size and budget for generators and battery backup systems.
Power Conversion Calculator
Convert between apparent power (kVA), real power (kW) and current (Amps) using your power factor, voltage and phase - the standard formulas used to spec generators, cables and switchgear.
Suggested PowerLink Gensets
Motor Starting (Surge) Calculator
Motors draw far more current when starting than when running. The #1 generator sizing mistake is sizing against running load only - always check the starting (surge) load too.
Assumes all selected motors start at the same instant (worst case). If they start one after another, only the single largest motor's starting kVA needs to be added on top of everything else already running.
Suggested PowerLink Gensets (sized for starting load)
Fuel Consumption & Running Cost Calculator
Estimate diesel burn and running cost for budgeting. This uses a typical average specific fuel consumption figure - always check the actual fuel curve on your generator's spec sheet for a precise figure.
Estimate only, based on ~0.30 L/kWh average specific fuel consumption and 2.68 kg CO₂/L for diesel. Actual consumption varies by generator model, load profile, altitude and maintenance condition.
Cable Size & Voltage Drop Calculator
Estimate the minimum copper cable size to keep voltage drop within your target, based on typical published mV/A/m figures.
Indicative only, based on typical mV/A/m figures for PVC-insulated multicore copper cable. Final cable selection must be verified against AS/NZS 3008 for your exact cable type and installation method, and signed off by a licensed electrician.
Battery Backup & Bank Sizing Calculator
Work out how long a battery bank will last, or how big a bank you need for a target runtime.
Lead-acid batteries are typically limited to ~50% depth of discharge for cycle life; lithium (LiFePO4) can often go to 80-90% - check your battery's datasheet.
Need help interpreting these numbers, or a formal specification?
Enquire NowSpecifying the right generator or battery backup system takes more than one number. PowerLink’s free sizing toolkit brings together the calculations engineers, electricians and buyers rely on every day — converting power units, checking motor starting loads, estimating fuel cost and cable size, and planning battery runtime — so you can move from rough numbers to a shortlist with confidence. Every result that produces a required capacity is matched against PowerLink’s genset range, from 6.6 kVA single-phase units through to 3000 kVA industrial gensets.
Why use PowerLink’s Power calculators?
– Built on standard industry formulas used across the generator and electrical trades — not a black box.
– Covers the full spec process: power conversion, starting loads, running cost, cable sizing and battery backup.
– Every relevant result is matched instantly against PowerLink’s own genset range, from 6.6 kVA to 3000 kVA.
– Free to use, no sign-up required.